England's left sided troubles...

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smokey

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I've been thinking about this since the season began and isn't it surprising to see so many left footed players coming through in England when in the last 15 odd years you couldn't find a single decent left-footed player in the whole of Britain (barring Giggs and Ashley Cole).

The youngsters that I know of...

Daniel Sturridge
Jack Wilshere
Adam Johnson (though he plays on the right)
Josh McEachran
Kieran Gibbs

True, some of them could turn out to be rubbish (most notably Sturridge who has shown an amazing ability to make the wrong decision at crucial points in the game) but still - it's a far cry from the beginning of the noughties. Anyone I missed out?
 
Are you referring to players that are eligible to play for England or players in the EPL?
 
English players Sting. Konchesky doesn't count because... well... because he ain't that great. I mean he is a solid defender, but from what little I have seen he doesn't exactly set the world alight at the other end of the pitch. Which is what left backs in today's footballing world are basically expected to do. I'm talking in particular about midfield players which England have been missing for so long that they consider Gareth Barry a gem.
 
Only reason I asked is that you mentioned Ryan Giggs...

This has been a problem in England for many years already.

You also have James Milner and Ashley Young.
 
I'm guessing that in the future they'll play Adam Johnson on the right and James Milner on the left.
 
Randhir said:
I'm guessing that in the future they'll play Adam Johnson on the right and James Milner on the left.
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Milner's left footed? Never noticed that...

Though I reckon he'll settle into a more central role - against the better international teams his lack of pace was a hindrance.
 
smokey said:
Milner's left footed? Never noticed that...

Though I reckon he'll settle into a more central role - against the better international teams his lack of pace was a hindrance.
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Nope, he's right footed, but he's seems to be able to play on the left with no problems, I'm guessing that's what England will do in future. Same at City.

I'm betting the English are wishing that they poached Bale from Wales.
 
Randhir said:
Nope, he's right footed, but he's seems to be able to play on the left with no problems, I'm guessing that's what England will do in future. Same at City.

I'm betting the English are wishing that they poached Bale from Wales.
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Like they managed with Giggs? :p

Seriously though, he plays on the left because the current tactics favour winger/forward hybrids who cut in for a shot more often than they hug the touchline due to that responsibility shifting to the full-backs. This is only happening because of how Barca use Messi (on the right, natural left footer) and their pronounced use of Alves and xyz on the left. Still... there's a reason it works so well for Barca and not for England (much more tactically aware players who can shift positions easily and a far more creative midfield). Personally think that one of the other lads could do it far better than Milner, who would then be moved into the centre. We'll see though...

EDIT: Weird how the best left winger in Britain (in the traditional sense of the word) for the last two generations is a Welshman...
 
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