Home > Football > How can Capello play Tottenham's Jenas and not Aston Villa's Young?
by Russell Wall on 28 August 2008
Email this Article (20) Comments
Free £10 bet when you register at
Big savings on football products from boots to balls!
For those of you who watched England grapple for answers last week against the Czech Republic, I’d like to give you my condolences for wasting two hours of your life that you’ll never get back.
Aside from the fact that the squad has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese, the quality of play on the pitch resembled something out of a silly comedy. You had David James giving away howlers by the truckload, John Terry looking utterly worthless for his country, and David Beckham still buying time with the club while plying his trade for the MLS.
Look, I was one of those who believed from the start that Fabio was the man for the job. Full of class and charisma, he was already a far better option than “new” Dutchman Steve McClaren. With that in mind, I’ll admit that Capello still doesn’t seem to “get it” when it comes to fielding the best possible squad.
What we saw last week from England proved once again that putting three magnificent midfielders in the middle of the pitch doesn’t always equate to great football. We’ve learned from the past that Lampard and Gerrard just don’t mix. And if Capello has realised anything from watching Beckham play he would have already put him on the bench after he reached his benchmark cap for the squad.
Barry and Gerrard seem to have some pretty good chemistry, and for me, that’s where I’d start with this squad. From there you need to add a player with a bit of speed and youth to the club. Someone that isn’t afraid to go down the flank with an air of confidence about him. If you don’t know who I’m talking about, then I suggest you go back and watch Aston Villa’s winger supreme, Ashley Young, and the show he put on last year.
It’s very rare that a coach makes comments touting his own player for the national team; however, that’s exactly what Martin O’Neill did recently when he made his case for Ashley in a recent article in the Birmingham Mail.
"I don't think they are looking at it like that. I was surprised about Ashley but they have got plenty of time,” O’Neill said. "The England manager is picking what he feels is the squad he can work with. But I have no doubts both can force their way into the England squad."
I’m sure most are surprised Young still isn’t in the squad (although he has been called up before). With Jermaine Jenas currently in the team, it’s a wonder Young can still continually be left out. For a player that was named to the PFA Team of the Year last season, ranked fifth in the Premier League’s Actim Index, and continually proved his worth to his club by leading them to the top six of the Premier League, it’s beyond shocking how Capello can still keep him on the sidelines for the critical stretch coming up.
Sure, blame it on the fact the Capello has to play it safe in these crucial matches; but if he doesn’t start throwing in some of these youngsters who are ready for the challenge, I can assure you that the team will surely pay for it later.
With Barry currently in the squad, Young will get an immediate boost by being able to link up with his team-mate when it matters most. There is a lot to be said for having players in your squad that fully understand how to utilise the abilities of someone else on the pitch. I’m certain Barry and Young could do just that.
Capello is going head-on into the fire with a squad that needs a spark to get them going. Ashley Young could be that spark. All he needs is a proper chance.
Comments (20)
on August 28, 2008 on August 28, 2008
Capello must be on spuds payroll as who in thier right mind would choose jenas over young. Look how well villa are doing as a team compared to spurs. Jenas has been over rated for some time now. He has pace but thats it. COYS
by Jim Hughes on August 28, 2008
^^ It's THEIR not THIER you idiot, and yes Young should be in the squad, but to single out Jenas is a bit silly, there are other players who don't deserve to be in the squad.
by abe abe on August 28, 2008
As a Spurs supporter, I reckon Young is a lot better than Jenas - and we had the chance to buy him but refused!. Having said that, they play in different positions so you cannot compare them
by luke perry on August 28, 2008
what do you mean look how well aston villa are doing compared to spurs...what have you won in the last 10 years...and have you been in europe for the last 3? im not debating that young is better than jenas but to suggest villa are that much better than spurs is a ridiculous comment
You're all joking arent you. Jenas and Young don't play in the same position. Its like saying. How can you play Heskey and not Ferdinand. Jokers you lot!!
by Pete on August 28, 2008
What have you won in the last 10 years, a Carling cup. not much to shout about i'm afraid. In fairness Villa look destined for bigger things under O'Niel, the only thing is that Martin looks like the one to succeed Alex Red nose so villa may never reach the cl spot. Compared to spurs this year, Villa are a more solid team and spurs look yet again like a mid table will do better next year team.
by bob on August 28, 2008
I'm a Spurs fan and Jenas is terrible. You can compare them, Jenas is bad at football, Young is very good, quick, creative and exciting. He's one of the best players in the country at the moment. Jenas has been nothing but hot air for many years now. If you think Jenas is bad have you seen Zokoro??? Even worse, god forbid!
by Essexian76 on August 28, 2008
Spurs are off to a dreadfull start but its only because of berv and united. Once that joker is out of the dressing room we will be fireing goals from the boot of Bent like it was nobodys business. That clown has been depressing the dressing room with his antics and greed but with him gone, the mighty lilywhites will be spanking their way to top spot. COYS!
by young at heart do do do you're so youg at heart on August 28, 2008
i thout you met luke young, never heard of his brother. He was right to play Jenas earlier this year he was in great form and has no dipped. i think he needn't play either
by barry fannylow fannylow on August 28, 2008
Les?
by Kiwivillan on August 28, 2008
Capello is a fool. Ashley was playing brilliant all last season. Capello had him in the squad a few times then put him on in the last 20 mins where he didn't look great. Big deal. Beckham and some of the othere insta-starters have looked muck consistently. You don't need to be a Villa fan to realise Young is a bit special and a mediocre 20mins in a dead rubber does not maketh the man. Capello is fast resembling Sven and Seven-lite. Is it the same problem of some senior members picking the team more than he is?
by Paul Sandey on August 28, 2008
what you talking about willis? Jenas is a great player, spurs are'nt as effective when he's injured, he's just seen as easy target. this piece stinks of a lazy journo. sort it out
by jon whyte on August 28, 2008
after reading all this nonsence i wonder why this ever came up , comparing the two players is stupid as they play in differant positions , young is a very good , potentially great left sided attacking midfielder which this country has been looking to find for years , capello will eventually realise this but as we all know it wont happen overnight , jenas is a good central midfielder that occasionally can be very good , being a spurs fan though would i swap one for the other the answer is yes so let them get on and play and leave the arguments to the kids in the playground . coys
by DazzaTHFC on August 28, 2008
TBH Jenas is only an England fringe player! but I have no idea why Young has not been given more of a chance, if you think his England selection is bad, Ramos totally ruins the ballance of our side to incorprate Jenas! count yourselves lucky Villa fans lol
by Brian on August 28, 2008
You are a joker very funny man. Villa are solid ha your defence is only a shade better than the spurs defence. You are in dream land mate. Tell me which villa stricker will score over 10 goals this year actually dont bother everyone knows that Carew or Agbon just wont do it, even with the latters hatrick. Young is a very good player though im sure the lad would view spurs as a bigger club and wait and see like Bentley he will want to further his career in a few years and spurs will be an option.
by Mike Bartlett on August 28, 2008
by Harry Wood on August 28, 2008
Spurs fan coming in peice 1. Jenas is a decent centre mid, won't be as big as Stevie G or Barry any time soon, but hes decent. 2. Young is a winger, Becks, Bentley and Joe Cole will come above him in pecking order. My point is Jenas will be played in friendlies and will play well. There are only a few above him in pecking order, Young has more to get past in the pecking order, so some will be rested but rotated so we still have a good starting line-up. Young is a very talented player, but too young as he doesn't know as much as Jenas about the game.
by Adam Jenkinson on August 28, 2008
The answer is simple. Capello gave Jenas a start against Switzerland and he did exactly as he was asked to do and ended up scoring a goal. Then, he gave Young a chance against Trinidad & Tobago and he made a mess of it, he didn't play like Capello wanted him to, he kept running at players and losing possession. THAT'S why Jenas gets the nod over Young, and Young only has himself to blame.
by Harry Hosk on August 29, 2008
Um maybe it's because Jenas is (a) more experienced than young and (b) better than young? Let's face it Capello knows a f*ks site more about football than you mugs put together will ever know. Or maybe he should only ever pick players from clubs that are doing well? Sure Young looks like a good prospect but that's all he is right now. Why not ask a question these scrotes are capable of answering; like why does Capello speak Italian or why can't I sit down properly when I put my trousers on back to front. Jokers!
by benni on August 29, 2008
um....young isnt a striker. he's a winger/attacking midfielder. and i thought jenas played more on the flank for england last i saw him, than in the middle...therefore, he was playing in young's position....or am i seeing things?
Add your comment here
PERSONAL ABUSE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
First Name
Last Name
Email
Heading
Display your favourite sport or football team badge with your comment.
Sport
League
Team
Comment *
Please enter the text you see in the picture into the textbox below. *