Fair enough, but I think this country has a history of expecting an awful lot from ANY promising young English player. For example, Phil Jones, an undoubted talent, but after a dozen games for United where he played well he is dubbed the 'new England captain'. Just give him a chance to develop at his own rate! I wonder if Walcott hasn't developed as well as everyone had hoped as there were always such high expectations on him, even when he went to the World Cup as a 16 year old that hadn't played for Arsenal.ferrarilover wrote:I reject that argument entirely. It's not his fault A, he's the age he is and has 'only' made it to the Premier League aged 18. Nor B, that Arsene Wenger is a crazy old French cat lady and couldn't pick an XI to beat an egg this year.
Chamberlain is absolute and utter class and he will tear it up on a top stage. We have wasted Walcott for a number of years, let's not make the same mistake with this guy. As you so correctly identify, it's not as though there are 5 or 6 ahead of him who are automatic selections. At best he is a real gem, at worst, WORST, he is the stand out act from a bad bunch. Either way, he's a hell of a prospect and probably the best we can muster.
Matt.
If you look at ability on its own, the Ox probably would get into the squad. But tournaments have a lot of other factors to consider, including fitness and form, which he can't develop when he's out of the team.
I do wonder how Roy will do this though. Will he stick with the internationally underperforming old-timers or chuck the likes of Ox and Cleverley in. I think we know what most people would prefer...
