England were able to get their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign off to a flier in Basel last night, beating Roy Hodgson’s old side Switzerland 2-0 thanks to a brace of goals from new Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck. The game was seen by many, on paper at least, as their toughest fixture on the road to France in two years’ time, and coming as their first game – especially on the back of their poor World Cup showing in the summer – had some fearing the worst.
Hodgson plumped for a diamond-style formation that seemed to pay dividends, especially for Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling. The 19-year-old was arguably one of the few shining beacons of light in Brazil in June, and he continued that form at the top level by playing a part in both of the former Man Utd striker’s goals. Sterling has done well in the Euro Fantasy League competition so far this season, notching up 55 points from his three appearances. Those points came from two goals and an assist, and while the scoring side of things is yet to grace itself upon his international career he certainly proved himself capable of getting among the assists – this is sure to bode well for him as the domestic season progresses, with Liverpool keen to build on last season’s strong second placed finish.
Welbeck has not yet featured for new club Arsenal owing to this week’s international break (he joined on deadline day, Monday September 1st) and so his performance in the new surroundings of north London are yet to be seen, but he sent out a statement that he is ready to make a starting berth his own by snagging both goals. He hasn’t registered a point yet this season in our fantasy competition, but has only made two appearances as a sub for former club Man Utd thus far – surely his £16m price tag means he will get plenty of minutes on the field as a Gunner, so that figure will almost certainly rocket – especially considering his appearance for the Three Lions here.
Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph made his first start on the international stage following his sub appearance in the friendly against Norway a few days earlier, and he showed a definite passion for representing his country – though what could be interpreted as a struggle with discipline saw him pick up an early booking, so perhaps that will need to be curtailed if he is to continue making an impact on the international stage. He has snagged 20 points so far for the Villans, but at an asking price of only €5.50m in the fantasy competition he could well add plenty to that tally over the course of the next few months.
Welbeck’s former Red Devils team-mate Wayne Rooney was enjoying a first on the Swiss field too, as the game was his first as England’s full-time captain. The former Everton striker seemed to enjoy the new formation as much as Sterling, and was clearly not afraid to get stuck in and try to lead by example. His positioning was great throughout much of the game, but he has big shoes to fill in the form of ex-skipper Steven Gerrard, who retired following the aforementioned World Cup. He has 20 points to his name just like Delph, but at the considerably higher asking price of €12.50m. Much of this may be attributed to Man Utd’s stuttering start to the season, but if new manager Louis van Gaal is able to get his side playing like his Netherlands side did in the World Cup things will surely be thriving at Old Trafford before too long, so expect Rooney’s points-to-value ratio to go up over due course.
There were definitely encouraging signs for England fans, but there still seems some way to go before they can be considered serious contenders for international honours. They currently sit 20th in Fifa’s world rankings – well behind their hosts’ standing at ninth – but it may prove to be the case that the journey will consist largely of experience. If that is the difference maker, then perhaps by 2016 – or the Russian World Cup in 2018 – the St. George flag can be raised just as it did back in 1966.
