Paul Scholes and Mikel Arteta top of Fabio Capello’s agenda
Before this summer’s World Cup finals, England manager Fabio Capello had attempted to lure Paul Scholes out of international retirement. Sadly, from an English perspective, it was to no avail.
After witnessing the veteran midfielder rifle in a rasping 25-yard effort for Manchester United at Craven Cottage yesterday afternoon – continuing his blistering start to the new campaign - the Italian boss would have undoubtedly been impressed with what he saw.
Not only did he grab his 150th goal for the Red Devils against Fulham, but he also controlled the tempo of the game. A reliable presence at both ends of the field, it was another instrumental performance from the 35-year-old.
How England could have done with someone of Scholes’ ability to retain the ball and pick the right pass in South Africa.
The midfield axis of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry once again struggled to gel at the World Cup, as England were torn apart by Germany in the last 16 of the tournament.
Of course, it’s always easier in hindsight to suggest what would have worked. And there were times last season when Scholes wasn’t at his best, or found himself occupying a position on the bench. Suggestions that age had caught up with him were echoed by supporters and the media alike.
But after such an impressive start to the new season, Capello must surely be tempted to pose the question to Scholes once again. England’s equivalent of Spain’s midfield maestro, Xavi, he is blessed with an unerring knack of always selecting the right option, as if he can see the game from the stands.
In a rare interview over the weekend, Scholes claimed that he prefers criticism over compliments and revealed that he uses the negativity to spur him on. His motivation may soon reach a low-ebb if these brilliant displays continue and the superlatives continue to rein in.
Meanwhile, another player linked with a shock England call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers is Everton’s Spanish midfielder, Mikel Arteta. Certainly a contentious issue on various well-known football phone-ins, the consensus was split over whether or not England should move for the playmaker.
The 28-year-old’s quality is indisputable. A player of Arteta’s ability would be a tremendous coup for the England national team. However, there’s little English about the San Sebastian-born former Spain-U21 international – apart from the fact that he’s lived in Merseyside for five years.
There are those who will argue that naturalising a player is entirely acceptable in international football. Other countries do it, so why shouldn’t England?
And they may well be right. But after England’s humiliating World Cup campaign, it was obvious that coaching young, English players in the right way should be the first port of call to address the national team’s shortcomings. A call-up for Arteta would set a precedent for future players, and would merely paper over the cracks.
Despite this, it would be entirely understandable if Capello is tempted. Arteta confirmed over the weekend that he would “seriously consider” an offer from the England manager, and the playmaker could instantly improve England the Three Lions’ midfield.
It seems more likely that it’ll be Scholes, who admitted that he regrets his decision not to go to South Africa, who will be top of Capello’s list. But there are doubts over whether the Manchester United legend will accept the Italian’s offer. A four-week World Cup is one thing, a gruelling European Championship campaign quite another, particularly for a man in the autumn of his career.
But the younger, more energetic Arteta, will be waiting on standby. And it’s quite possible that before the end of the year, the Spaniard will win his first international cap for his adopted national team.
This might not sit well with some England supporters, but as ever in football, one inspired performance on the pitch would be enough to silence the critics.
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