Could England’s Italian masterclass be a blessing in disguise?

This ruthless streak makes it near impossible for managers to attempt to instil attractive football, something which takes years to come to fruition, as Arsenal fans are all too aware. As a result, the focus shifts from beauty to beast, from artistry to efficiency, as clubs make sure they win at all costs, with even the attraction of playing good football subordinate to success.

But this problem is not exclusive to England, indeed many of the leading clubs around the world fail to replicate the Barcelona way. Where England lags so very far behind, however, is in youth football. Unfortunately, this ‘win at all costs’ attitude has become ingrained in all levels of the game, to the detriment of the national side. An ethos personified by the fact that 75% of all academy players are born in the first 6 months of the academic year, and that one of England’s finest ever players, Steven Gerrard was rejected from Lilleshall for being too small. This emphasis on physicality rather than ability damages English football no-end. While using size to your advantage is effective at partially-pre-pubescent level, messes Xavi and Messi highlight its irrelevance at the top of the game.

England need change. A Thatcherite revolution of grass roots football, a la Germany 11 years ago. Change which may take a generation to show its colours but change which will benefit generations more, in the future. Elsewhere, football is only a results-based business at the very top. Lower down, the focus is on development rather than success, something the FA seem to have taken note of, at last. The new proposals for smaller sided games is a big step forward, but it is not all which needs to be done. As Euro 2012 has reiterated, possession is key in international football. At the end of a long season, those without the ball are having their remaining energy sapped, especially in the eastern European heat the players are experiencing this summer.

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I fear Hodgson’s options are limited, to say the least. In the short amount of time a manager has to prepare his team for any international match means, apart from a change in formation, Hodgson would appear helpless. Deploying an extra midfielder could be a solution, but would go against the Englishman’s grain. For me, the only possible short time solutions lie within the domestic sphere of world football. Within England itself, there needs to be a shift of focus at Academy level and a rise in appreciation for those who suit the international game, such as Paul Scholes, who was mistreated in an England shirt for long periods of his career. But I also believe the players themselves need to take the initiative.

Despite the influx of foreign players to the Premier League, there seems a Xenophobic level of reluctance from English players to play abroad, something which mystifies me. Hopefully the fact that England’s ball retention has once more been highlighted as their downfall, players will be open to playing in leagues abroad, where possession is appreciated far more than at home, something which will only benefit the national side.

So while Gerrard and co. will take a while to get over their penalty heartbreak, things could be on the up. The problems Euro2012 has highlighted with regards to English football, alongside the proposed changes made by the FA, mean that, although it could have little effect during Hodgson’s tenure, England are hopefully on the way to long-term improvement.

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