Marcus Rashford leading the way
Forget the Dele Alli and Kyle Walker middle finger antics, we should be focusing on the positivity beaming off the shining star that is Marcus Rashford.
In a time where English footballers continue to lack world beating status, with pundits and the media alike continuing to be critical of the under performing and under achieving national side. What we have here in Rashford, is really something quite special.
Finally, a player coming into the international fold who is not afraid to express himself, showing no fear in playing his own game and using his flair.
So many of these English players will show creative sparks and flair on a daily basis with their clubs, but as soon as they don that three lions badge, all seems to be lost again. But not with Rashford.
The 19-year old Manchester United forward scored a superb winning goal for England on Tuesday evening, to turn the game around and see England collect a vital 3 points in their World Cup Qualifier against Slovakia.
How many 19-year olds would have the audacity to even try such an effort? This is where he differs. Playing right midfield for Gareth Southgate’s side, Rashford, a striker, overcame an error in the first half that gifted the visitors the lead, to put on another fine and fearless display in an England shirt.
Whilst watching the game I found myself continuingly screaming for them to get the ball to Rashford, I knew that he was the only player on that pitch who could do something for England.
We have constantly been asking for English players with creativity and flair, since players like Paul Gascoigne. With the amount of pressure on these players you can understand the lack of willingness to try something different, but Rashford does, he will try it, and it usually comes off.
You can’t help but admire the confidence he plays with, he looks mature beyond his years and seems to have so much about his game already. His finishing is sublime, the ability to run with the ball and beat players, and his fantastic vision for a pass has many of us completing in awe.
I hope that Manchester United and England continue to give him his deserved chances and not only that, but Coach him to continue playing in his own way, in his own style, trying those different things that many of his own peers do not have the guts to try at International level.
Simon Phillips