England's Revolution: The Future of English Football

England's Revolution: The Future of English Football

Jack Wilshere: One of England's many hopes for the future.

Another major tournament, another loss on penalties and another quarter final exit. After England crashed out of Euro 2012 after a penalty shootout loss to Italy, you could be forgiven for thinking "same old England". Just months before the Euro's begun the F.A sacked former boss, Fabio Capello, an action which left the national team without a manager for several months. Despite the obvious man for the job being Harry Redknapp, David Bernstein and the Football Association appointed Roy Hodgson as England manager just over a month before the first game of Euro 2012 against France. However in this short space of time Hodgson managed to bring to the England side something they had sorely missed during Capello's tenure, unity. Despite various selection issues and injuries Hodgson maintained a united England squad that as Ashley Cole claimed were like "11 bulldogs who will never give up", it seemed like England finally had a chance at competing in a major tournament.

After a convincing Group Stage, in which England topped the group with wins against Ukraine and Sweden and a draw against France, England were drawn against 2006 World Cup Winners Italy. A game in which England got very little of the ball, thanks to Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo, eventually finished 0-0 and resulted in a penalty shootout which England came up short in, once again, after misses from both Ashley Cole and Young.

Despite the exit in the last 8 of a tournament in which expectations were at an all time low, Hodgson has seemingly laid down good foundations for the 2014 Brazil World Cup and indeed the future of English football in general. The inclusion of youngsters like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck in addition veteran players such as captain Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Wayne Rooney added a breath of fresh air and pace to what has previously been a lacklustre England team and now the World Cup qualifiers are approaching, Hodgson must embrace England's young talent to revolutionise the national team.

One potential key man in this new look England team would certainly be Arsenal's young midfielder Jack Wilshere. The clearly talented young player,who shone in his first full season playing for Arsenal, was sorely missed in the Euro's as England cried out for a man to pull the strings in the centre of midfield. If Jack Wilshere recovers successfully from injury then he can be the Pirlo or Iniesta that England fans have been praying for and without doubt would have a huge impact on the way that England play.

A glimpse of the future of English football?

Wilshere is not the extent to exciting young English players who could be part of Roy's Revolution. Tottenham's Kyle Walker, Manchester United's Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling along with Chelsea's Danny Sturridge and Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll, all young stars who could play a pivotal role in England's World Cup campaign and future success. 

England fans can be encouraged and excited by the emergence of future English star players every year in the Premier League, players that can be part of a revolution that will force England back into being one of the best national teams in world football.