Football fans: I have, for you confection, one hell of a question. To coincide with the Euros, the good folks at Samsung have launched the ‘because it matters’ campaign. It’s your opportunity to get you voice heard and tell the world exactly what’s important to you within the footballing world. So what’s in it for you? A whole heap of fantastic Samsung prizes and goodies! If you’ve got an entertaining or inventive answer you’re in with a real chance of winning, so head here to get your voice heard.
So what matters to me? I’ve struggled with this question over the last few days because it’s hard to boil it down to just one thing. I’d love to see Arsenal finally start competing once more for trophies. I’d love to see England go on and actually win a major tournament. But what REALLY matters to me? I think what I’d really like to see is a shift in focus within the England team.
I’m fed up of the reliance on the same old unreliable players. Players who perform week in and week out for their clubs, but can’t seem to step up at International level. One of the major reasons behind England’s tournament failings over the years has been the will to chuck in the Premier League’s best players without any regard for whether they actually play well together.
Take for instance, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Nowadays, it’s commonplace knowledge that the two don’t play well together, so why did it take so long for England managers to figure it out? I want to see an England side free of egos, that just concentrates on playing well as a unit.
And I think Roy Hodgson may be just the man to usher in this sensible new age. What strikes me as most important, however, moving forward, is giving youth the chance to shine.
What matters to me? Seeing Jack Wilshere overcome his injury worries and going on to become England captain. He’s a fantastic all-round midfielder and could go on to be an all time great. He’s got so much potential, but I’m sure England fans (and Arsenal fans) will be worried about the time he’s spent on the physio’s bench in recent times.
Then there’s players like Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and many more.
Why not give these youngsters, ‘England’s next gen’ more opportunities to play alongside each other. A chance to form working partnerships, suss each other out and build for the future. This is why friendlies exist. The coach may want to give his best players a run-out, but that, more often than not is a pointless excercise. We know what the Rooneys, Gerrards and Terrys of this world offer the England side. Why don’t we see what these youngsters could offer in the future?
That’s what I want. But what matters to you? Have your say!
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