World Cup scouting: left midfield

Posted Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by BBC.com

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
World Cup scouting: left midfield As a former striker, the thing I like about Young is that he is direct and he attacks at pace. Those traits helped him win the PFA young player of the year award last season.

Even though he plays on the left for Villa, he is really good at shaping to take the ball down the wing and then checking back on his right foot to deliver a good ball into the box.

Young is credited with 11 Premier League assists this season and, with John Carew and Emile Heskey providing good targets, it is fair to assume some of these have come from crosses.

With Manchester United's Wayne Rooney scoring all 26 of his Premier League goals in the penalty box this season, Young's crossing ability certainly comes into consideration. The 24-year-old can also score, too, with five league goals and nine overall this season.

Downing has been less prolific than Young this term with only three goals overall. He does not contribute as many assists as Young either, so even though he is more experienced than his team-mate with 23 caps, Young has more form.

Likewise, Cole has scored 10 times for England, has more than 50 caps for his country and has been to two World Cups, but I'm not sure that will count for much in Capello's eyes.

Past performances might not come into it. I think he will simply look at selection in terms of what is best for this World Cup.

The important thing to remember is that this trio of players are only vying for a place in the squad because Gerrard will start for England.

Concerns about his form for Liverpool do not worry me and I would dismiss any notion that he is saving himself for the World Cup, as has been suggested to me. Of course, the players will be excited about competing in South Africa, but you cannot save yourself for any game and he is too good a player to be accused of that.

Gerrard has had big games for Liverpool this season and he has got more to come, including the Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, so only once the season is over can he start thinking about the World Cup.

England's qualifying campaign has shown that the 29-year-old can link up well with Rooney from the left and often his forays inside give licence for left-back Ashley Cole to venture forward.

But Gerrard could be at left-back and still be one of the best players in the team because he is a fantastic footballer.

VERDICT
If I was picking the final squad of 23 to be announced on 1 June, I would go for Gerrard and then Young ahead of Cole and Downing.

I am big fan of the way Young delivers crosses into the box and the pace he possesses. Not only could that help Rooney in terms of his goalscoring but also by getting up there to support him.

Alan Shearer was talking to Alistair Magowan

« Previous 1 23Next »