Anthony Clavane's Big Match Verdict: Young Lions repay Capello's faith to prove the future's bright
Giving England’s rookies a run-out against Spain could have either ended up a brave experiment – or an act of supreme folly.
In the end, Fabio Capello’s gamble paid off. Writing in the programme notes, the Italian said: “The final step to play at international level is the hardest step to make but I have to find out if some players are able to make this step.”
Last night, in front of a packed Wembley, he found out.
Capello’s young Lions didn’t let him down. One or two of them even roared.
True, Phil Jones failed to shine. But he was played out of position.
The other youngsters – Danny Welbeck, Jack Rodwell and Kyle Walker – showed they are, indeed, able to make the step.
Pitched into the biggest match of his career, Jones was handed a prized midfield berth.
It was a huge leap of faith by Capello in a teenager who only made his senior bow in Montenegro last month.
However, it also showed just what talent the 19-year-old has.
Opportunity knocked for Jones to take centre-stage against the might of Spain and prove he was ready for Euro 2012.
This was only his second cap, having played right-back against Montenegro last month.
It was a kind of international X Factor.
The judges will not have given him a ‘yes’ but this was not Jones’ fault.
Capello entrusted the 19-year-old with a marauding midfield role, which is an odd position for a defender who has been playing at either centre-half or full back for Manchester United this season.
Especially as he was up against the genius of Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Never mind the X Factor. It was all about conquering the Fear Factor.
Capello has long talked of this affecting England’s players, particularly when the Three Lions play home at Wembley.
And Jones certainly started nervously, lunging at Alvaro Arbeloa.
He then committed two fouls which, if it hadn’t have been a friendly, would have normally earned him a yellow card.
As England’s policy was to contain Spain and try and hit the lone striker Darren Bent, Jones didn’t see much of the ball.
He got in one good position, put through by Lampard, but chose to pass to the offside Bent rather than shoot.
The Fear Factor again.
The problem, as Capello said, is “no-one is close to Spain”.
Not Holland, not Germany, certainly not England.
They have finest midfield we have ever seen. So it was quite a gamble pitting a teenage defender against the best midfielders on the planet.
He showed a lot of tenacity, but he is not a natural roving midfielder.
The England boss made much better use of Rodwell when he came on for Jones.
It was the 20-year-old’s first cap with the Everton star reaping the rewards of a prolonged run in the Premier League side.
When he was joined by another rookie, Danny Welbeck, who came on for Bent, England suddenly had pace and mobility.
Welbeck is being tipped to lead the England attack come the start of Euro 2012 in the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney. And he
certainly brought a youthful pace and speed to the team’s play.
He linked up well with Rodwell, speeding through the Spanish defence and playing in his team-mate, but Rodwell was not quite able to get his shot away.
This could have been an uncomfortable night for the young Lions. There was a real fear it would do more harm than good, with a young side missing so many key players struggling to contain the stylish Spaniards.
But there appears to have been method in Capello’s madness. After the 2010 World Cup debacle, Capello is freshening up his jaded, failing squad with new blood and talented youth.
It could have all gone horribly wrong but it paid off handsomely.
England 1-0 Spain: Sunday Mirror match report
Lampard proves his leadership credentials in Spain win
England rely too much on Rooney, claims former Sweden star
Andy Dunn's Big Match Verdict: Defence the new approach for Capello
Anthony Clavane's Big Match Verdict: Young Lions repay Capello's faith to prove the future's bright
Paul Smith's Big Match Verdict: England chased shadows in fluke win
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