Roy’s defensive dilemma: Are Cahill and Jagielka England’s best centre-back pairing?
England face Poland at Wembley tonight in their decisive Group H game, and having been allocated 18,000 tickets, the Polish fans will certainly play their part in creating a tense, yet exciting atmosphere.
Looking to break English hearts is the prolific Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski; one of Europe’s most feared strikers with an ever-increasing reputation. Attempting to stop the 25-year-old from causing chaos is Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill.
Are England’s central pairing good enough?
A valid concern voiced by Alan Hansen via his column in The Telegraph: “There will be a concern over Cahill and Jagielka against the best strikers in the world in Brazil next summer, but when you glance down the pecking order beneath them, it is clear there are few alternatives.” The ex-Liverpool defender went on to say: “Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have lost their way at Manchester United. They have not developed, so have denied England the opportunity of a club-based partnership for the next ten years, while beyond those two, it really is thin pickings.”
John Terry and Rio Ferdinand were a truly world-class centre back pairing. The two have led their respective club sides to all the honours on offer. There can be no doubting their talents for club and country over the past 16 years. One must also not forget the softly spoken Sol Campbell, whose brilliant performances alongside a young Ferdinand at the 2002 World Cup, scooped the ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender a place in the World Cup All-Star Team. Go back even further, Tony Adams and Gareth Southgate were themselves a formidable partnership.
I’m not sure that Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill’s reputation will cause Robert Lewandowski to shudder with such dread come tonight.
Phil Jagielka’s duel statistics.
Having said that, Phil Jagielka (above) and Gary Cahill (below) both have a 100% tackle success this season, although Everton’s central defender has made five more tackles. Jagielka has also been far busier in the air, winning 24 headers from a possible 35.
When compared to Robert Lewandowski, things look promising for England.
In two Champions League matches this season, the Dortmund striker has lost 62% of headed duels, versus the likes of Miguel Britos and Raúl Albiol. While the Polish striker’s aerial ability has also been lacklustre throughout eight Bundesliga appearances, losing 60% of attempted headers.
England’s central defenders should be able to deal with Lewandowski’s aerial threat adequately enough, although he has a great deal of other qualities. I refer you to his four-goal blitz of Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League semi-final.
Gary Cahill’s duel statistics.
What are England’s alternatives?
Based on the recent call-ups over the past 12 months, it would seem that Roy Hodgson has been scrutinising the talents of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Steven Caulker, Steven Taylor, Michael Dawson, Joleon Lescott and Ryan Shawcross.
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling & Steven Caulker
Manchester United’s Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have won 89% and 50% of tackles this season respectively, although it must be remembered that Smalling has only played one full league game under David Moyes.
The most worrying aspect regarding Phil Jones has to be his reputation as a ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’. A harsh and somewhat derogatory term, but he’s yet to establish himself within a fixed position for club and country – loosely comparable to Jamie Carragher and his failure to claim a regular place throughout eleven years with England.
Steven Caulker scored on his England debut versus Sweden on 14 November 2012 while at Tottenham Hotspur, but with chances limited, his switch to Cardiff City has allowed the 21-year-old to string together a number of impressive performances. In seven league appearances, Caulker has picked up two Squawka Best Awards and currently finds himself as Cardiff’s best player with a Performance Score of 154 (see below). If he can maintain his early form he may give Roy Hodgson something to think about.
Steven Caulker is Cardiff City’s best player this season based on Performance Score.
Michael Dawson and Joleon Lescott
With only four caps to his name and turning 30-years-old next month, Michael Dawson’s opportunities will be severely limited in the coming years. However, it seems that Dawson is a key component under André Villas-Boas this season, contributing to his team’s cause with an average of nine defensive actions (see below) – more than any other Tottenham player.
Contrastingly, Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott frequently struggles to displace captain Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasi? from the first team, and with 36 caps to his name at 31 years of age, it’s perhaps safe to say that this particular ship as already set sail.
Michael Dawson has the greatest number of defensive actions of any Spurs player.
Hansen is correct in his assessment that England don’t have a large number of options when it comes to central defence. The rapid retirement of two established internationals has severely impact the nation, effectively ripping the spine out of central defence, leaving the goalkeeper horribly exposed.
It seems that the most reliable and consistent pairing when facing Robert Lewandowski is Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill, but whether they’ll be the centre-back pairing for Brazil 2014 remains to be seen. Let’s not get carried away just yet.