ENGLAND MAY END UP WITH BROOKS REGRETS
ARE England destined to lament David Brooks as the one who got away? If he plays for Wales against Georgia this week, maybe so.
Sheffield United’s boy wonder – whose mum hails from Llangollen – has switched allegiance more often than Blackadder.
Called up by Wales for the Under-20 Toulon tournament in May, he pulled out and was announced in the England squad just 11 minutes later.
Having scored in the final and won player of the tournament, Brooks then back-tracked and turned out for the Welsh Under-21s in September. Now Chris Coleman is preparing to end the debate with a full cap.
Brooks hasn’t given his reason, but it’s easy to see the logic. It’s hard enough for players outside the Premier League top four to get a game for England, even those as talented as Danny Drinkwater. Until recently, there was no defined pathway from the Under21s.
Wales are offering international football right here, right now, the chance to train and play with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. What young player wouldn’t grab that opportunity?
Alternatively, it may be that when Brooks looks at England, he sees Dele Alli, who is just a year older and playing in the same position.
But this kid is the real deal, a technical wizard with ice in his veins and pace to burn. Six years down the line, seeing his face peering from a red shirt may prove very painful.