Have We Got The New Beckham At St James' Park?
Last updated : 12 February 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Right or wrong - who knows - but England have suffered since. So much so many claim McClaren is only a couple of games away from the sack. McClaren put his faith in Shaun Wright-Phillips, and the ex-Man City winger has yet to make an impact with his club ... never mind England.
Having now spent the best part of two seasons warming the Chelsea bench, Wright-Phillips on too many occasions has threatened much, yet delivered virtually nothing.
It was embarrassing watching the TV panel (including Alan Shearer) try and defend his shocking performance against Spain on Wednesday, just because his step-father was sat in the TV studio with them. But the fact is, when Glenn Roeder tried to sign him on loan in January, the majority of Geordies wondered what was going on. Simply because we have a better player in James Milner.
I'm not saying James Milner is the new David Beckham, but if Wright-Phillips can get a full England cap, Milner MUST be in the frame.
Glenn Roeder: "If James doesn't think he can progress quickly to the full England team then there's something wrong with him. That has to be his goal.
"Whether he can do that in the very near future, I don't know - that's up to the England manager. Certainly what is on James' mind is having a good European Under-21 tournament in the summer. He needs to have that as a short-term goal.
"But long term, his aim next year is to make a breakthrough into the full team. And to do that, he must continue to star in a Newcastle shirt. James' main reason for wanting to go to Villa before we knew each other was that he was not getting games here, and did not feel confident he would.
"I convinced him he would get a fair chance here, and James has played more games than anyone else this season."
Milner: "Everyone wants to play for their country - and you get in the full side by your club form. I will keep working hard and it will come."