Are England Really Prepared?

Prior to England's victory against Scotland at Wembley earlier this August a newspaper article pointed out that England would fail to make the top seeded sides for the upcoming World Cup if they failed to beat their oldest rivals and win their subsequent four qualifying matches.

This still remains a likely reality. What is of more significant concern is this - if England fail to win at least three of their four final matches they are in serious danger of failing to reach a World Cup for the first time since Graham Taylor's England in 1994.

England will most certainly see off Moldova but the results that follow are likely to see a tight finish in the scramble for qualification. Montenegro are currently in control, two points clear of England at the top of Group H having played one game more. Ukraine can leapfrog England when they meet if results beforehand go as expected whilst Poland are waiting in the wings should anyone slip up.

England will have a tough time navigating their way past a Ukraine side buoyed by home support, determined to claim some revenge for the defeat England inflicted at Euro 2012. Depending on how this result pans out Montenegro could come to Wembley willing to play for a draw. England have struggled in recent years with their possession play and could be easily frustrated by the table toppers if they are required to press and break down this resilient Montenegro side.

But England cannot afford anymore sloppy mistakes or inept attacking displays. They must be clinical in front of goal and tighten up a defence which rarely keeps a clean sheet against tougher opposition nowadays.

The recent friendly against Scotland was littered with ominous signs; signs of where it could all go wrong for England in the coming months. If Kenny Miller was allowed to turn Gary Cahill, set himself up and hammer a low drive to the right of Joe Hart without so much as a challenge you can be sure Robert Lewandowski and Marko Vucinic will do the same if given an invitation.

Man United's draw with Chelsea was hardly a spectacle but if one thing emerged it was that Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are still capable of operating at the top of their game. Phil Jagielka, the most likely candidate to pair up with Cahill, is no John Terry. But whilst alternative options are available Roy Hodgson seems intent on sticking with a partnership which will inevitably leak goals. Michael Dawson is severely underrated and a far better option then Jagielka. His absence from the recently announced squad is perplexing after two excellent clean sheets with Spurs.

Most concerning is Joe Hart's crisis of confidence, which has come at precisely the wrong time. Against Scotland the question marks surfaced once again and he did little to answer his critics against Cardiff on Sunday. Roy Hodgson would do well to sit his keeper down and play him a video of Scott Carson's disastrous mistake against Croatia which signalled the end of Steve McClaren's reign and England's Euro 2012 hopes. Then play Hart the highlights from Man City's Champions League showing against Borussia Dortmund last year to remind the Englishman of his quality and of what is expected from England's No.1.

Higher up the pitch the signs are more encouraging. Wayne Rooney was superb against Chelsea whilst Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck have started the season brightly. Rickie Lambert is a valuable asset coming off the bench too. England have a habit of choosing their starting eleven based on reputation rather than form. Hodgson needs to call it right this time and Sturridge deserves his chance from the outset. England need wins, not draws and so a positive approach is necessary. Playing two dynamic forwards like Sturridge and Welbeck side by side will produce goals. Rooney can take up a similar role to the one given him by Moyes's on Monday night.

The final qualifier against Poland on the 15th of October at Wembley could yet be crucial. England have an unfavourable record against Poland and have lost their nerve a number of times against the backdrop of an edgy Wembley crowd. It's here perhaps where the fearlessness of the Ross Barkley's and Andros Townsend's could go on to make the difference and sheds some light on Hodgson's recent selection choices.

England are in a more precarious position than any fan is willing to admit and Hodgson must rally his side for one final push, otherwise he'll be joining an exclusive list which no England manager wants to be on.

Few and Far Between - Italian's in the Premier League

Italian personnel are few and far between in the Premier League. 

Following Mario Balotelli's move to Milan in January and Roberto Mancini's departure at the end of the last campaign the thin slice of Italian presence has grown even smaller. 

Pablo Osvaldo has become the latest Italian arrival to try and maintain this presence, having finalised his transfer to Southampton on Monday. This comes on top of Paolo Di Canio's purchase of Emanuele Giaccherini from Juventus, an exciting winger who like Osvaldo has international pedigree.

But the fond memories of Gianfranco Zola, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianluca Vialli lighting up the league in the late 90s have been replaced by the perceived failures of Alberto Aquilani, Alessandro Diamanti and Fabio Borini in recent times - buying from Italy is now regarded as somewhat of a gamble. 

With no real success story in the last few years, save Balotelli depending on how you view his stint with Manchester City, Italian players' long standing reluctance to test their talents in the Premier League has continued. It's unlikely Osvaldo would have moved to the South coast had he not played under Mauricio Pochettino at Espanyol whilst Di Canio's influence was certainly key in Giaccherini's decision. 

Managers seem equally reluctant to move in for Italian player. Many might have expected Mancini to bring an influx of Italian's to the Etihad on his appointment but this never materialised. Managers want players who can adapt quickly, who can endure the harsh winter months when the games come thick and fast. Clearly the opinion is that Italian players cannot be relied upon to provide this anymore. 

Yet the quality is clearly there - Italy breezed past England last summer, showing far superior technical ability. What's more Aquilani has since revitalised his career with Fiorentina, as has Diamanti at Bologna whilst Giuseppe Rossi has been a success story across Europe. 

The culture change seems to be a determining factor. More must be done to successfully integrate Italian players into English football. The word from players going both ways is that training differs in style between Italian and English clubs. Italian clubs place emphasis on a strict fitness regime, which Di Canio has incorporated at Sunderland. But questions remain whether this is adequate preparation for the more physical demands of English football. Aquilani struggled with endless knocks, Diamanti rarely looked fit and Borini has picked up numerous injuries in his short spell with Liverpool too. 

With most of the major dealings having already been conducted this summer it might be worth Arsene Wenger considering a bid for Daniele De Rossi, one Italian player who certainly is tailor made for the English game. Though having lost out to Wolfsburg for Luis Gustavo it's unlikely Arsenal could tempt De Rossi, who is fiercely loyal to Roma, to the Emirates.    

Moving to a new country in a World Cup season is extremely brave on Osvaldo and Giaccherini's parts, what with the national set up rarely looking further then Serie A to fill the seats on the plane. Sooner or later another Italian import will come good and it's perhaps a case of appreciating the fleeting spells in English football which made the likes of Zola and Di Matteo so revered rather then expecting Italians to flock to our shores like the Spanish or French. 

Everybody Goes Home Happy - Adel Taarabt Loaned To Fulham

When QPR went on record last week in saying that Adel Taraabt’s recently agreed season long loan to fellow Londoners Fulham “suited both parties” no one was inclined to argue.

With the Hoops focused on a quick return to the top flight and Fulham lacking creative depth in midfield the move benefits all involved. Not least Moroccan Taarabt, who had stated a desire to further his career in the Premier League following QPR’s relegation.  A wish which has been duly granted by Harry Redknapp having grown tired of the 24-year-old star’s frequent acts of petulance. The signing of Karl Henry to support Joey Barton in central midfield and Charlie Austin upfront suggests Redknapp is favouring a more direct, hardworking style for the arduous Championship campaign ahead.

Not so long ago Taarabt was terrorising Championship defences on the way to being named Championship Player of The Year in QPR’s 2010/11 promotion season. But that was under Neil Warnock, a manager who loves a maverick and was willing to give Taarabt the captain’s armband if it meant a guaranteed performance every week. Whilst Taarabt’s mazy runs and at times exquisite technique are not in short supply, too often have they made a habit of deserting him on a cold November visit to Barnsley. Redknapp requires a reliable squad, pulling in the same direction; Taarabt has the potential to cause disruption.

A mercurial talent, Taarabt’s unpredictability is perhaps what Fulham need after a season of mediocrity.  Damien Duff, tireless in his approach, has lost a yard of pace in recent years whilst it remains to be seen if Kieran Richardson can consistently perform at the highest level.

Dimitar Berbatov’s body language approaching the end of last season demonstrated his growing frustration at a lack of quality service and Martin Jol, who bought Taarabt to Tottenham as a youngster, has earmarked the playmaker as the man to keep the Bulgarian’s interest levels at an optimum high. Two players who demand the ball, the partnership has the potential to be counter effective. Jol may be best utilising the pair alongside another flair player like Brian Ruiz for Fulham’s home games where the side traditionally pick up the majority of their points whilst using Taarabt sparingly in away fixtures.  

Handed a Premier League lifeline, Fulham supporters will be hoping Taarabt can mature into a long term replacement for Moussa Dembele. Though if Taarabt’s erratic attitude follows him across the Thames he will be about as popular as the Michael Jackson statue outside Craven Cottage. 

Romelu Lukaku: A Bright Future

"Lukaku, woah! Lukaku, woah! He comes from Stamford Bridge, he's bigger than a fridge."

Top scorer in the Belgian Pro League at age 16, a national call-up and double against Russia soon after and 17 Premier League goals to his name last season - Romelu Lukaku has a bright future ahead of him.

West Bromich Albion fans could be heard chanting their appreciation for the Belgian forward like he was their very own throughout the course of last season, as loanee Lukaku helped guide Steve Clarke's side towards their best Premier League finish to date. The chant doesn't lie either, Lukaku is quite a presence, modelled on former Blues legend Didier Drogba and now ready to take on the mantel as Chelsea's star striker.

Signed from Belgian giants Anderlecht by the Blues for a reported £20 million in August 2011, Lukaku struggled to make an immediate impact. Chelsea, desperate to get Fernando Torres back to his best, showed little desire to accommodate for the youngster and looked to another club to take on the task of breaking Lukaku into English football. Having served as assistant manager under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Steve Clarke used his contacts accordingly to snap up Lukaku on a season long loan and aptly let the frustrated Belgian loose.

And Lukaku could have been forgiven for venting his frustrations - sent out on loan whilst Torres's form continued to evade him and, until Demba Ba's arrival, Chelsea suffered from limited attacking options to call upon from the bench. What's more, youngsters such as Victor Moses, Nathan Ake and Oscar were all welcomed into the fold without having to prove themselves elsewhere. This, one can imagine, is all going to change next season. In the meantime Lukaku has gone about his business in a highly professional manner.

Scoring 17 goals last season he passed his trial with flying colours, helping propel the Baggies to the upper echelons of the league. Tall, physical he surprised a few of the league's most intimidating defenders during the course of the season. And Lukaku might feel unfortunate not to have finished with a higher tally to his name. Reminiscent of Drogba he gets himself in and among the action and but for the occasional, youthful lack of composure he might have had Robin Van Persie glancing over his shoulder. A nuisance in the box, he has the predatory instinct and the technique to back it up, as displayed against United on the final game of last season when Lukaku netted an impressive hat-trick. Capable of scoring a range of goals, he's a threat from anywhere in the opposition half if you allow him the space.

Now Lukaku looks set to play a significant role in Mourinho's long term plans, whose forward play revolved around the supremely gifted Drogba during his first stint with the club. The Portuguese manager has shown he's unafraid to make bold decisions regarding his starting eleven; Iker Casillas the most high profile victim. Besides, Mourinho isn't the type to play Torres on reputation alone if he believes Lukaku would suit Chelsea's system better. Defenders dreaded marking Drogba because he provided so many different attacking threats. Lethal in the air, a powerful shot, efficient hold-up play, good on the turn and deceptively fast Lukaku ticks all the boxes of his predecessor. If there is one beneficial difference, Lukaku appears to have a sound temperament in place. 

Up until the current pre-season Lukaku had played eight games for Chelsea scoring no goals, albeit these appearances came during the difficult settling in stage after his arrival in England. Still, the Belgian will be eager to get off the mark competitively as soon as possible at the start of the new season. For all a striker's endeavour it's the goals he scores which endears him to the fans, as Torres knows only too well. 17 league goals for the Baggies is impressive but at Chelsea it's arguably the bare minimum.

Chelsea can be brutally impatient when their strikers don't deliver consistently; Daniel Sturridge the most recent example. The Blues supporters will expect and demand even more next season having witnessed Lukaku's talents from afar. Yet the comments coming out of the Chelsea camp suggest that there is a belief Lukaku can and will deliver at the highest level and that patience will be granted for a player who looks certain to live up to his price tag.

Part of Belgium's 'Golden Generation', Lukaku could well outshine some of the national side's most valuable stars this season and at just 19-years-old he's not yet unleashed his full potential - a bright future indeed.