England’s problem positions go in cycles and this time it’s the turn of the left back.
Ashley Cole is looking increasingly doubtful and with Wayne Bridge also suffering after being carried off in the Uruguay game, Sven looks to have a tricky problem to sort out before we go off to Germany and win the World Cup.
So, what are the options if either Cole or Bridge or even both of them fail to make the squad. I guess the likes of Carragher, Koncheskey and maybe even Gareth Barry ( but please not Phil Neville ! ) are the most likely suspects, but our own Stephen Jordan could and should come into the reckoning.
Unlike the others, Jordan is a natural left back and his performances are improving all the time. He’s not the finished article by any means, but in terms of English left backs, there aren’t many currently in better form. A converted right back or central defender isn’t the answer – it never works properly.
Jordan has already proved he’s got the temperament for the big occasion, as he showed when making his first start for City at Old Trafford where he put in a stunning debut performance. He’s a confident young lad capable of developing into a really top class defender.
At the moment, he doesn’t really have the national coverage of his competitors and is probably best known up here in the Northwest and that may unfortunately count against him. It’s a shame he wont get a chance to impress in a friendly before the World Cup squad is announced, which is why I’m flying his flag now.
I’m not saying he should be first choice, but he would certainly provide decent cover and give 110%.
Would Jordan’s inclusion in the squad be a surprise or has he now earned the right to be considered for national honours?
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