Are The Cubs Ready To Become Lions?

In the world of football England is known for creating the game, the Premier League, and producing world class center half's. England have had the likes of Bobby Moore, Terry Butcher, and Tony Adams represent the three lions and seemed that if one great center half retired, we would have another that was groomed and ready to replace him straight away. The question I am asking myself and you the footballing public is, do we have the talent to replace our current pairing of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry? Both have captained and been unbelievable servants for England but  father time unfortunately catches up with everyone. Ferdinand has struggled with back injuries while Terry's performances are not at the level we are used to seeing, due to his body shutting down after minor injuries picked up throughout his career. England has defenders like Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka but I want to discuss the guys who will be around for the next two European Championships and World Cups.

Gary Cahill

Cahill at twenty five years old is the oldest of the four center half's that I will be speaking about today. Gary started his career at Aston Villa where he was a product of their youth system. David O'Leary gave him his debut against Manchester United in 2006 and from then on in was a fixture in and around the Villa first team. To say he made a big impression in his early days at Villa is an understatement. Gary's first start was in a midlands derby against West Brom. This was quickly followed by the game against bitter rivals Birmingham City scoring the winning goal in spectacular fashion with an over head kick.

 He was sold by Martin O'Neil to Bolton where his game has really flourished, so much so Aston Villa fans must be asking why did O'Neil actually sell him. He is strong in the air, comfortable on the ball, and loves a challenge. Being 6 ft 2' and having all the attributes that I have just mentioned you would be right in thinking he is the next great English center half. Having played for England twice he definitely has the potential but what worries me is the club he plays for. I love Bolton and everything that Owen Coyle is doing there but he does not play in the big games like the Chelsea's and United's of this world. Cahill deals with pressure but nowhere near as much as the players playing for the so called big five as its now know. Playing for England is full of pressure and if he makes a mistake will he bounce back. People like Robert Green who do not play for the bigger clubs find the pressure a lot more demanding especially after a mistake, than a Ferdinand or a Terry. Arsenal and Liverpool have shown interest in Gary and I believe it would benefit his game and England prospects if he left Bolton. There he would train against better players and play in big games either at home or in europe.

Phil Jones

Blackburn Rovers also have a rich history of center half's and with the potential and talent that Phil Jones has already shown can join that list. Jones shot onto the scene when Sam Allardyce gave him his debut in the League Cup last season. Since then he has worked his way into the Rovers first team and has impressed many people including Arsene Wenger no less. He is not the tallest or fastest defender but wins his fair share of aerial battles and rarely do you see strikers beating him for pace. Jones best attribute for me is his work with the ball and would describe him as a footballing defender. Jones is that good on the floor he has been playing in midfield which is not an easy transition to make, Rio Ferdinand's stint as a midfielder is an example of this. Rio is known to be a footballing center half but struggled to make the transition unlike Jones who seems to have made that position his own.

Jones has the potential to play for England for a long time and from what we saw last season when he played at the back against the Premierships best, he was magnificent. My worry is that Blackburn are wasting one of the best talents in the country by using him as a midfielder. Yes he has been playing at the back since he was a child but not in the Premier League. He needs to be playing there week in week out to really learn the position to take him to the next level. I know its not Rovers job to worry about the future of England but that is one worry i have that could hold Jones back from filling that huge potential as a center back. Another similar worry to one i have about Cahill is the fact he plays for one of the smaller clubs in the league, and have explained why that is an issue. The boy has a great future and look forward to see how he progresses.

Chris Smalling

Here is a lad that came from the land of doggers, half time oranges, and a spread after the game. Chris Smalling is one of few Premier League players that have worked themselves up from non league football to playing in the Premier League. Not only does he now play in the best league in the world but for Manchester United. Smalling is twenty one years old and lately has shown the form that made Ferguson pay around eight million pounds for his services. I saw Chris play against Chelsea in his full debut for Fulham, what I saw was Smalling mark Drogba (who at the time was at his majestic best) out of the game. He is great in the air, can be aggressive, and has those long legs to help him get out of trouble if needed. 

He has not played a lot of league game and only recently starting to play well after some early struggles, so why would I look at this lad as a candidate? The first reason is  recent performances for his club side. He was outstanding along with Vidic in the biggest Manchester derby in years, Tevez was very quiet due to Smalling and showed me that he has looked at his game and worked to improve it. The dominance in the air during the Southampton game was very impressive, you can say Southampton are a League 1 team but believe the game helped his confidence. This allowed him to show his manager how well he is playing and the platform for his performance against City. The second is his employer, Manchester United where Ferguson almost always brings the best out of his players. Rio Ferdinand the man we hope he can replace is still there and playing at a high level and believe he almost plays the Ferdinand way, so by training with him and Vidic he is almost certain to learn and improve his game. The third is linked with the second, playing for Manchester United brings its own pressure. The club is the third biggest in the world and if he performs while dealing with that pressure, will only make playing for your country easier and hopefully bring better performances. I hope he carries on his good form and becomes a great player for Manchester United and England and to add I love Rio and want him to be around as long as possible, but he wont be round forever.

Ryan Shawcross

Here is a typical English central defender with his tough tackling and sheer presence at the back. Playing for Stoke City you have to be good in the air, strong, and be able to look after yourself. Ryan brings all of this onto the field but with his Manchester United background can play on the floor too. Stoke City signed him for one million pounds which is must be one of the signings of the century. 

Is he good enough to replace Terry?His game is in the mold of Terry's and believe he has the talent to be able to play for one of the big five again. Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United were known to be interested in signing or resigning him in the case of United. So on the playing side he seems to fit the bill, but what about his character? Shawcross is the captain of Stoke City and leader and after only two years at the club, Pullis trusted him to inspire and lead his players to maintain their position in the League. Another example of Ryan's character is the incident involving Aaron Ramsey, where Shawcross accidentally broke the leg of the Arsenal midfielder. In typical Wenger style bemoaned to all that would listen about how teams tackle and play against his side. Wenger can say what he wants but Shawcross has slowly but surely come back to the form that he was showing before that incident. Did it affect him yes! but he is now stronger and will be able to deal with the craziness that come with playing for England. That shows character to me, so why is he not in the squad yet? Again I believe he does not play for one of the bigger clubs and until he does will  not be a fixture in the England squad. 

All four can become England center backs but will they be great? did we know Rio would be great when he was at West Ham? We have to wait an see but it is worrying to see the lack of  quality English center half's playing for the big five. Lescott and Upson are certainly not good enough, while Dawson and Phil Jagielka are in their late twenties and ready for the Euro's coming up. I like all four but personally like Cahill and Shawcross  the best and hope they can find moves in the summer.