English football is in a crisis. Everyone is trying to find the answer to why the Three Lions did not qualify for EURO 2008, and why they haven’t won a World Cup in such a long time. The answer, for many, is that English football lacks basic skills. Today I read an article on BBC, where Brazilian 1970’s World Cup winner Carlos Alberto mentions that “the most important thing that can happen to English players is that they improve their technique.”

He goes on to say that “technical skills like dribbling, good movement, the ability to pick a pass are key to breaking teams down, but you just don’t see it when England play, their style is always the same. They never changed, they never improvised and they never improved. They put the high ball into the area and try to head it in, but they need to focus on more technical skills.”

I have to say I agree with him, in part. English players have a very defined style. High balls in the air, headers and a fast game. But that doesn’t necessarly is the main problem with the lack of titles for the English team.

Truth is, what was considered a unique style of playing is now being transformed in the “reason why.” Are English players getting behind because of their style? Is the school of football wrong in England?

It’s funny to propose such questions when you are talking about the place Football was born (if we were talking about the US, then I would 100% agree that the school of football is completely wrong - value of hussle instead of value of skills).

But when you stop and think about it, almost all English players play the very English football: header, crosses and straight shots - no futebol bonito. Crouch is one of the top scorers and I have to say the guy doesn’t have a lot of skill.

Do you think that is the decisive factor? I don’t. Germany doesn’t necessarly play “joga bonito” but has been succesfull in the past World Cups.

I do believe some more skills to English football probably would do some good. Players and football itself should be in constant development.

Modern football is already aggressive, fast and everyone handles air balls quit well. You have to have that one thing that will make the opponent twist his legs, that one thing that only your team has.

Whether England needs better players or to re-think their school of football, something has to change.

[tags]English Football[/tags]