Like the 2006 World Cup that took place in Germany, the upcoming tournament is seen as an open affair, with only a couple of teams establishing themselves as prominent favourites. As always, the British media are already hyping up England’s chances of going to South Africa and winning the tournament. Bookmakers William Hill have gone so far as to make England second favourites to win the tournament at odds of 5/1. But what can the Three Lions realistically hope to achieve?

As the press have quickly noted, England’s greatest strength is the talismanic striker Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United forward has been in sensational form this season, scoring 28 goals in 35 appearances and single-handedly keeping United in the title race when their performances have dipped. Rooney really has been the star of the current Premier League campaign, playing a strictly more attacking role this season. His movement and ability to create space in the penalty area, as well as his improved heading ability have lead to a big improvement to his game, which was already incredibly strong.

Yet an over-reliance on one gifted player rarely works for any team. England’s opposition will be ready for the threat of Rooney, with teams aiming to mark him out of the game, or worse, to foul him out of the game. Every team England faces will be aware of Rooney’s famed temperament, and will aim to antagonise the 24 year old. There is no doubt he has matured, but question marks still hang over Rooney’s discipline. It’s crucial for England that Rooney keeps his temper in check.
 
Unlike recent years, England goes into a tournament with a world-class manager at the helm – the Italian mastermind Fabio Capello. The veteran has brought a firm and steady hand to the managerial post, making sure his players act professionally and strive for excellence when on the pitch. His depth of knowledge and tactical assurance will serve England well in their attempt to land their first trophy since 1966.

England’s other main strength is their midfield. Experienced and talented players like Lampard, Gerrard and Barry balance well with the youthful exuberance of players like James Milner and Aaron Lennon. Hopefully Fabio Capello can find the right balance.

England’s biggest weakness going into the tournament looks to be their defence. Traditionally a strong area, fitness problems for Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Phil Jagielka amongst others has depleted England’s back line immensely. Add onto that a lack of genuine strength in depth in defence and England look weak. The role of first-choice goalkeeper is also being questioned, with David James having missed large parts of the season injured. Ben Foster’s inability to hold down a starting place at Manchester United has caused concern, and other choices such as Paul Robinson lack the natural ability to be considered great alternatives to James. The emergence of Joe Hart at Birmingham City is promising, but this tournament may come just a little too soon for the 22 year old. 

A lack of talent going forward is also problematic. Besides Rooney, England have no world-class striking talent, following the decline of Michael Owen and lack of other names realising their potential. Capello will have to think long and hard about who he plays to partner Rooney. My bet? Emile Heskey.

Of course, this is all disregarding most of the other teams at the tournament, but I shall save that for another post. So all in all then? England certainly have a chance. They’ve been given an easy draw in the group stages, and in the first knockout phase should meet Serbia if results go to plan. But the Argentines might be waiting at the quarter-finals with a diminutive attacking talent declared the best in the world… Is it just 1986 all over again?

Thomas Vermaelen – When Arsenal made serious moves in the transfer market for a Belgian centre back who only had senior experience in the Eredivisie (Holland’s top league) and barely scrapes 6’0 tall, many journalists had eyebrowns raised at Arsene Wenger’s latest foray into the transfer market. Yet the Frenchman has once again proven himself an astute judge of talent, as Vermaelen has slotted nicely into the Arsenal backline, replacing Kolo Toure admirably. Unlike Toure, Vermaelen has quickly established a solid defensive partnership with William Gallas, showing himself to be an assured choice for Wenger’s team. Not only that, but Vermaelen has proven himself a good finisher, having already claimed 4 goals in his first 13 appearances for the Gunners. A top notch purchase, and at approximately £10 million, a bargain compared to the likes of Manchester City-bound Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov – Very few followers of Everton had heard of the former Lokomotiv Moscow winger when he arrived at Goodison Park. Yet within a few appearances, Bilyaletdinov – known as ‘Billy’ amongst Toffees fans – has made himself a cult hero. The Russian winger has featured for Everton 6 times since his arrival in the summer, bagging himself 2 goals in the process. Not many attacking players from foreign shores adapt quickly to the pace and brute force of the Premier League – including fellow Russian Andrei Arshavin - but Bilyaletdinov has proven himself capable of withstanding a bone-crunching tackle or two. For a team with little craft down the flanks due to the prolonged absence of Spanish talisman Mikel Arteta, Everton fans are glad Moyes brought in ‘Billy’. At around £12 million, Bilyaletdinov has shown that if Wenger is the master of finding obscure foreign talent for cheap, Everton manager David Moyes isn’t far behind.

Richard Dunne – Irishman Dunne had been club captain of Manchester City since 2006, and one of their most consistent performers, commanding the defence with his strong aerial presence and assured reading of the game. But when City brought in Everton’s Joleon Lescott and Arsenal’s Kolo Toure over the summer, Dunne’s spot was under threat. Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill was quick to make his move, signing Dunne for £6 million as a replacement for the retired Martin Laursen. O’Neill’s signing was instantly proved to be a good one, with Dunne once again performing consistently, this time for the Birmingham-based outfit. Like Vermaelen, Dunne has also proved himself a weapon going forward, having grabbed 2 league goals already for his new club. Most people in football believed Dunne would be a success at Villa, and based on his performances so far, they’ve been right.

Gareth Barry – Having established himself as an England regular, both Manchester City and Liverpool pursued interest in the Aston Villa midfielder. City eventually got their man, splashing out £12 million. Adding bite to a City midfield full of wiry wingers and attacking threat, Barry and Dutchman Nigel De Jong anchor City’s play, pulling all the strings in the City engine room. An excellent passer of the ball and never afraid to make a tackle, Barry seems good value for money, especially when considering some of City’s more expensive signings.

Darren Bent – Rounding out the list, English striker Bent was a phenomenon at Charlton Athletic, scoring 41 goals in 68 appearances for the Addicks. Yet when Tottenham Hotspur came in for Bent, Charlton cashed in on their prized asset. Bent joined a squad full to bursting with attacking talent. With Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov his competition for a first-team berth, Bent never truly got his deserved opportunity at White Hart Lane. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce saw a player who was underachieving, and paid out an initial £10 million for Bent’s services. Much like his days at Charlton, Bent found himself the attacking focus of a smaller club, and instantly benefitted. With goals against the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, Bent and Kenwyne Jones have frightened Premier League defences with their pace and ability to play off one another. A reborn player under Bruce, Bent’s record of 10 goals in 12 appearances for the Black Cats speaks for itself, and his form should see him get into Fabio Capello’s 2010 World Cup squad.

If you agree or disagree, leave a comment below!

In recent years, the amount of money spent on transfer fees for players has skyrocketed. As the financial gains of football have been nurtured and grown exponentially in the last 20 years, so have the transfer fees paid for top class players. In the last 13 years, the world record transfer fee has increased nearly sixfold. In 1996, Newcastle United paid (the now modest) £15 million pounds for Alan Shearer to Blackburn Rovers. In June 2009, Real Madrid paid the astronomical fee of £80 million pounds paid for Cristiano Ronaldo’s services, in one lump sum, to Manchester United. This was less than a month after Real broke the world record fee by agreeing to a £56 million pound deal for AC Milan playmaker Kaka.

On first glance, one might think that such spending is only carried out by Madrid. After all, the last 4 world record transfer fees have been paid out by the Spanish giants. Not only that, but these fees have been forked out for undeniable top-drawer talent. In the last 2 years, both Ronaldo and Kaka were voted FIFA World Player of the Year. Some might say that only world-class talent command such bloated fees. But a quick glance around the global transfer market paints a different picture.

Whilst Real Madrid may have spent the largest amount of money, relative footballing minnows Manchester City aren’t far behind. The smaller of the 2 Manchester clubs have spent in the region of £125 million, with the likes of Carlos Tevez (cheekily pinched from neighbouring United) and Gareth Barry joining the Blues. Yet despite the proven quality of the names joining City, none are anywhere near the calibre of the players being signed by Real Madrid. Their spree begs the question: What are players really worth?

It seems these days to be all relative. Lescott became the third most expensive defender of all time in his switch from Everton, yet most pundits would turn their noses up at the idea of ranking Lescott so highly amongst his fellow defenders. Lescott is certainly a very capable player, with a strong aerial ability and a consistent goal scoring record for Everton in the Premier League. Surely though, there are other players worthier of the accolade of the third most expensive defender in the world. Yet City were desperate to get their man, and Everton squeezed every penny out of Lescott’s new club for the England defender. But such exaggerated transfer fees only widen the divide not only between the successful, financially strong clubs and the smaller, cash-strapped teams, but also between the fans and the game they love.

Football is very much in danger of losing its tag as the ‘Everyman’s Sport’. With such fees being paid for players, and the players themselves earning gigantic pay packets, fans must be finding their sporting idols harder and harder to identify with. What drives the game (and therefore the money going into the sport) is the fan’s unrelenting passion and unwavering commitment. As the gulf between players and fans grow, football must be careful that money doesn’t drive fans away. Especially in such times of global economic crisis, the sport must look at itself and decide that enough is enough.