Paul Scholes popped up with a trademark header in the third minute of injury time against Man City to keep United’s hopes of winning a record fourth consecutive Premier League title very much alive. Should Capello now try to persuade the “Ginger Wizard” to come out of England retirement for the World Cup?
Scholes has made it very clear to previous England Managers that he’s not going to come out of international retirement, but surely he would be tempted if Mr Capello gave him a call and offered a seat on the plane to South Africa. Although he may not feature in the starting lineup for every match he could still play an important roll for England both on and off the pitch.
So why does Capello need him in South Africa? Well for one, he would give some much needed experience off the pitch. With David Beckham not part of England’s World Cup plans due to injury, the squad doesn’t really have a player the whole team can look up to. Scholes would be that player.
Secondly, Scholes would be one hell of a substitute if England were ever in trouble, and he could very well pop up with an important quarter-final or semi-final goal as he did against Man City on Saturday. Scholes is still one of the best midfielder players in the World and is capable of changing a match with his passing, vision, and the intelligent late runs he makes into the box. England dosen’t have another player like him in the squad.
Thirdly, if Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard pick up injuries or suspensions in the later stages of the tournament, then Scholes would be the perfect replacement. Capello could sleep much sounder knowing that his side would lose no quality if either Gerrard or Lampard had to miss a match for whatever reason.
Every England World Cup squad has a surprise inclusion, and I think Scholes should be that surprise this time around. So Mr Capello if you’re reading this, dig out Scholes’ number and give him a call. He shouldn’t need too much persuading.
Highlights – Man City v Man Utd
You can subscribe by e-mail to receive news updates and breaking stories.
scholsie has proved he can play the holding roll very well this year. if i was capello id ask him to come as gerrard and lampard dont play well together and in a big game where england need a goal, scholes’ pinpoint passing could create a game winner.
Paul Scholes is by far and away the best player has produced in the past 15 years. Ive argued with people for years that Gerrard and Lampard are not of the same calibre as Scholes. Talented as they are they do not dictate the pase of things in midfield and hold possesion as well as Scholes and the world cup was perfect evidence of that. Gerrard was a perfect example last season as he was shown for what he was in the absence of the more Scholes like Alonso to be a glorified striker as effective as he is in front of goal neither he nor Lampard can Knit the midfield together like Scholesy. It is fair to say that Scholes was born in the wrong country for if he were Spanish or Italian he would be regarded and revered in the manner he deserves yet in England he goes completely under the radar. Put simply people who think Gerrard or Lampard are better than Paul Scholes are better at analysing at the back pages of tabloid news papers than they are at analyzing football. Tackling excluded off course!!