Avram Grant: Scott Parker must play for England
West Ham United manager Avram Grant says Scott Parker deserves to play for England after a string of impressive performances in the Premier League.
Parker has not been involved in any form for England since he was named, and then dropped, in Fabio Capello's initial 30-man squad to go to South Africa for the World Cup before the summer.
Grant says that Parker has been one of the most aggressive and effective midfield players based on what he has seen from the Premier League so far in the current season.
Parker has all of the necessary attributes to play for a long time at international level. However, the problem is that there are so many gifted English players that can play at central midfield in the
current England team.
Player attributes
Parker is not the most physically intimidating player in the world but he makes up for this with a snappy aggression. He is well known for flying into some heavy tackles early on in games to win the ball
and to create an impression.
Parker's passing game is as good as anyone else in the country. He is comfortable in possession and is very effective at laying the ball off to wider areas of a side or into the strikers.
Parker has a very good spring for a small man, which makes him effective in the air. He goes up for all the corners West Ham manages to win and if he is not taking the free kicks, then he is in a defender's
face and creating problems.
"I think if you look at all the English midfielders, with respect to others, there is no doubt that Scott, from the beginning of the season, has been the best midfielder.
I need to talk to Capello! I am not the England manager, but I am sure that Scott deserves to be there," said Grant.
Talented players
The problem Parker has is getting himself noticed among a long list of central midfield players. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Jack Wilshere, Tom Huddlestone
and many more are all names that will be put into the same group.
The only way that Parker is ever going to get an extended run in the England team is to maintain the consistency he's currently showing at West Ham. Parker could well be
the type of typically aggressive English player that the England team needs.
It's impossible to say how Parker would fit into the England set-up until he is given a chance. The majority of pundits will argue that he cannot do any worse than any
of the other players that have been picked before him.
"He played well offensively and defensively, was good with the ball. He has
a great record for blocking shots of the other team and is very clever and professional, a good guy, very positive.
I think it would be good for the England team if he was there, and especially in this form," added Grant.
Betting advice
Parker is a very effective attacking midfield player who can also play a defensive role. Due to this there will always be tempting odds on him to score in any Premier League
match. His goal against Stoke City earlier in the season showed that he gets into very good advanced positions.
Don't be afraid to take a punt on him scoring in an England shirt either. He seems very hungry to have a long crack at international football. This means he should raise
his game when he's given a chance, which makes him more likely to score goals.
Tags: