YOU NEED A NEW SCHOLES
Germany ace Ballack on the player England must unearth to succeed on the big stage
MICHAEL BALLACK believes there is one key player missing from Gareth Southgate’s England team which is preventing them from competing with the best at major tournaments.
“They lack a strategist.” said the former Germany, Bayern and Chelsea midfielder.
“They are missing a midfielder in the mould of Paul Scholes, who can dictate the flow and tempo of a game.
“This is where the English team are missing some class to take them to the next level.”
Ballack should know. He reached the World Cup Final in 2002 and scored 42 goals in 98 appearances for his country. At club level he lifted the Premier League title, three FA Cups and reached the Champions League final with Chelsea.
He is impressed by the latest wave of rising English stars but fears their talent will be unfulfilled unless someone is able to pull the strings as Scholes used to.
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s Wembley friendly between England and Germany he said: “Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling are top-class players at top-class teams, playing top-class football.
“But the lack of a strategist at the heart of their play is holding them back. England need only to look on their own doorstep for the type of player I am talking about.
“Manchester City are top of the Premier League, in large part due to the match-winning exploits of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva. These are the type of players England needs – matching technical ability with flawless vision. They are also the type of players who excel under pressure, which can be an issue for England.”
The likes of Liverpool’s Adam Lallana and Everton’s Ross Barkley – players seen as potential playmakers – are unavailable to Southgate while rising
Spurs star Harry Winks has pulled out injured. Ballack paid tribute to the exceptional young teenage talent coming through the ranks in this country.
But he believes England will continue to lag behind his homeland until the Young Lions can cope with the pressure of delivering a first major title since 1966.
He added: “The level of expectation on England whenever a big tournament rolls around seems to get bigger every time. It can weigh heavily on a team and inhibit them. In Germany, we have more positive experiences with this type.
“We have won four World Cup finals and lost finals. This experience in such high-stakes games has made it easier for us.
“There is no lack of top talents in England and Germany. I will be watching avidly to see which country can make the most progress in the run-up to Russia. My prediction is 2-2.”