Sports Leviathan is less popular than these SLs:-

Sri Lanka
Stuart Law
Super League
Sanjay Limbachya
Steve Lamacq

Wilshere is a testament to what we can achieve but without putting too rash and sweeping a statement out, we do tend to produce good quality midfield players, however it is the strength in depth where we struggle; Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes have all shown high levels of competence, technique, and have achieved at the highest level with all 3 playing in Champions league finals and winning numerous other trophies, yet all 3 played in disappointing England finals campaigns. Wilshere is technically more gifted potentially than all three of these players however we are still living in hope that he will produce the goods when it really matters.

I am also not suggesting Brazil are good because they have the most players in the Champions League and am fully aware of why so many players make the trip across the atlantic, but the fact remains their players are playing regularly in a European leagues and performing on the highest stage (at club level) in the champions league…Josh Mceachran sits on the bench and rarely gets in the travelling squad! I really rate Mceachran and can’t understand why Mikel is regularly selected in front of him however one thing we do agree on is that our league is the biggest inhibiting factor to the development of our young players. Look at the squad for the 2011 Under 21 Euro Championship. Bertrand, Sinclair and Mancienne represented England throughout all youth levels spent 5 years at Chelsea and between all three of them combined they had 10 appearances! (probably all in the Carling Cup) I feared the same may happen to Danny Sturridge but he has taken his chance and may be in AVB’s plans. The window to break through is so small now. I saw John Terry make his debut for Chelsea and I genuinely believe if he was trying to break into the Chelsea team today he would never have got a sniff of the first team – and he is now the England captain.

Thanks again for your comments and although it may sound like I am out to lambast the England team, I am not. It is more the system, the governing body and the fact that the Premier League has its own agenda seemingly more powerful than the FA and it is wholeheartedly detrimental to the progress of our national game

SL Editor

Over the course of the last 3 or 4 years,in fact really since Jose left the nation actually, there’s been a growing move away from athleticism and toward technique, right through the ages. This has manifested itself in the players now coming through (at the top end see cleverley, wilshere, mceachran, spearing etc) who are all comfortable on the ball. It is evidenced in the relative recent success of the English game at age group level.

The players in the CL stats was interesting but not altoghether that relevant as it is a product of English players sticking to Engalnd – and why not when it is the best paid and arguably strongest league in the world. It is the fact that the Brazilian league is the contrast of these two points that leads to their players coming over to any European country they can get a permit to play…which in turn contributes (along with their ability) to their high number. I would be interested to see how England sat in a list of “number of players in the semi’s” over the past 5 years…to see how many of our players have the talent to make the final stages..unless you are saying untalented players can be carried even in Europe. Holland are sometimes don’t make the list, despite being the top ranked club in teh world a month ago and world cup runners up…however I would suggest they would make always it if you looked at semi final only players, despite the lack of their own clubs being there.

You also seem to ignore some things facts at will. i.e. “Barring Rooney and possibly Young neither side possesses any English attacking threats”…in reference to a game in which seven of the ten goals were scored by Englishmen (and Utd’s front 6 was two thirds English)

It’s too early to start gunning England, we’ve a great set of players coming through and are going well in the qualifiers, playing better football than we have been. Last year we were European U17 champions, 3rd in the U19 Championship and the top ranked team at U21 level. As said I don’t disagree about england lacking top quality playmakers…just think you missed the boat and the tide has already turned. The competitveness and short-term success driven nature of our league will present an obstacle, however I firmly believe that those who are now techniquelly good enough will be key players in the prem and international stage

Having always had a vested interest in the Tour de France due to its team culture I finally got the opportunity last year to get a road bike and experience the thrills and spills of what is cycling. As kids we are taught how to ride a bike but to ride a road bike is a totally different learning experience. This brings me on to my point Alberto Contador is a sporting legend, he is doing what Michael Jordan did for Basketball, what Tiger Woods has done for Golf, and if he wins the World Cup Lionel Messi for Football. These icons have totally dominated there sport for a sustained period of time, they were and are the untouchables within there sport, they have catapulted there sport to another level.

If GOD were to ride a bike he would ride like Contador. Look at the faces of Nibali and Scarponi there are battle worn whereas Contadors looks as fresh as a daisy, to see Contador look into his pursuers eyes and ask the question ‘Is that all you got?’is mind boggling. What must it feel like when he gets out of his saddle and dances away on his pedals only they must know.

My only plea to Cyclings greatest ever rider is please be clean you may never really know what you bring to our lives, you are the one who motivates and inspires us to get up on Sunday morning and cycle into a headwind.

It would not suprise me if Contador wins all 3 classics this year.