Sarf London calling for Three Lions
NOT so long ago the backbone of England sides came from the North East.
Think Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Alan Shearer. Then it was the north-west, with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Jamie Carragher and the Nevilles.
Now the world is in no doubt where the next generation of talent is coming from, as Camberwell’s
Jadon Sancho and the Elephant and Castle’s Reiss Nelson (middle) are proving with their goals in the Bundesliga, and Lewisham’s Ruben Loftus-cheek (far right) with a hat-trick in last week’s Europa League: South London.
Sancho (below left) – who scored twice for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday following his Champions League strike against Atletico Madrid last week – made Gareth Southgate’s recent England squad, along with three other young south Londoners – Joe Gomez, Marcus Bettinelli and Nathaniel Chalobah. And the Under-21s, who qualified with ease for next summer’s Euros, is dominated by lads from that area, such as Nelson, Tammy Abraham, Ryan Sessegnon, Callum Hudson-odoi and Ademola Lookman. There is a fabulous production line coming through south of the
Thames and there’s a fair chance more of its products will “do a Beatles” by following Sancho and Nelson over to Germany to finish their apprenticeship before taking on the world.
As far as the Three Lions are concerned, the future’s bright. The future’s sarf London. WHEN Ross Barkley moved from Everton to Chelsea in January, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said he wanted the police to investigate the transfer as he believed “fraud” was involved.
The politician was widely rebuked then – even among his fellow Evertonians. But looking at how the 24-year-old England international (left) is now playing, with a flurry of goals and a handful of assists, it may be over-the-top to claim the £15million Chelsea paid was fraudulent, but it was undoubtedly an absolute steal. Call da cops.
IN April when Usain Bolt asked about playing for Manchester United, Jose Mourinho replied: “If you’re serious, we’ll see what happens.” Since then the eight-times Olympic gold medallist, has been trialling with Australian side Central Coast Mariners, where ex-wolves, now Perth Glory striker Andy Keogh observed, “He’s got a first touch like a trampoline.”
Which is great news for Bolt (left) as it means he does stand a chance of signing for United. As the new Bebe.