ASH WEDNESDAY: England's young stars have the talent... now they must make it happen on the world's biggest stage (just as Ozil, Muller and Khedira did back in 2010)

  • Germany played without fear during an extraordinary afternoon in 2010
  • Now it's up to Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Co to emulate that side
  • Hodgson's plan against Italy is to win the ball back and then give it to fresh young legs who can make an impact in the final third. It is sensible planning
  • Germans meanwhile, talking with conviction that they will win World Cup

By Neil Ashton

Published: 18:01 EST, 10 June 2014 | Updated: 06:04 EST, 11 June 2014

In the weeks to come, it would be something special if it was Germany's turn to drool over Roy Hodgson's audacious decision to take the kids to a World Cup.

Back in 2010, when Germany humbled England 4-1 in the second round, it felt like a young man's tournament.

Three of Joachim Low's forwards - Sami Khedira (23), Mesut Ozil (21) and Thomas Muller (20) - danced around Matthew Upson and John Terry at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. 

Aged 20, Toni Kroos, now regarded as one of the best midfielders in the game, was on the substitutes' bench. Manuel Neuer (24), Philipp Lahm (26), Jerome Boateng (21), Per Mertesacker (25) taught England a lesson in possession.

Lesson in love: Thomas Muller celebrates with Mesut Ozil
Commiserations: Miroslav Klose consoles Wayne Rooney

Lesson in love: Thomas Muller celebrates with Mesut Ozil (left) and Miroslav Klose consoles Wayne Rooney following Germany's 4-1 victory over England in the second round of the 2010 World Cup

On the ball: Bastian Schweinsteiger competes for the ball with Ashley Cole during Germany's resounding 4-0 win

On the ball: Bastian Schweinsteiger competes for the ball with Ashley Cole during Germany's resounding 4-0 win

   

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It was shock and awe. They played without fear of reprisal, shredding Matthew Upson to pieces during an extraordinary afternoon for English football. Muller, who was later named the best young player at the tournament, scored twice.

Roy Hodgson will not be quite as cavalier, but it would be special if Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge, Luke Shaw and, hopefully, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to similar acclaim.

We know they have the talent, particularly after outstanding seasons with their clubs. Now they have to make it happen and turn it to their advantage at the world's biggest football tournament.

Many England fans are scarred by the performance under Fabio Capello four years ago and it is easy to forget what happened next to Low's breathtaking team.

A few days later Germany played even better when they destroyed Argentina 4-0 in the quarter-final with one of the most devastating performances in the history of the World Cup. In the semi-final, those young legs ran out of steam against the eventual champions, Spain.

In the build up to this year's World Cup, they have been talking with some conviction about winning it for a fourth time. 

Low and his players really believe they can emulate the achievements of Sepp Herberger (1954), Helmut Schon (1974) and Franz Beckenbauer (1990).

They have a rich history at the World Cup, winning three and losing four finals. They seem certain they will reach another.

A few days ago Low, Germany's charismatic coach, was pictured counting four fingers in recognition of the target. It was a bold thing to agree to do and not something you would expect to see from England's head coach Hodgson.

Stats of the show: Germany put Argentina to the sword in their thumping 4-0 victory back in 2010

Stats of the show: Germany put Argentina to the sword in their thumping 4-0 victory back in 2010

On song: Germany's brilliant victory was one of the most devastating in the history of the World Cup

On song: Germany's brilliant victory was one of the most devastating in the history of the World Cup

 

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Last week Andre Schurrle spoke of the expectancy in Germany and the demand to win another World Cup. It feels like their time is coming. With Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sven Bender, Lars Bender, Khedira and Kroos competing for a place in their midfield, they are a formidable team.

Germany have improved. A World Cup in Brazil is a true test for a team's life cycle, particularly for any European team. Let's not forget that Spain, the reigning world and European champions, were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in last summer's Confederations Cup final in the Maracana. But Germany have an outstanding group of players and have had time to mature since 2010. 

They had another semi-final at Euro 2012, before they were beaten by Italy. The current crop already have course and distance.

Hodgson has dipped his toe in the water with his squad, reaching out for some younger players as part of a plan to protect the future of the England team.

The head coach hasn't been quite as cavalier, but it is to be hoped that the younger players can still cause something of a stir against Italy on Saturday.

Star man: Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling has impressed for England in training ahead of the World Cup

Star man: Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling has impressed for England in training ahead of the World Cup

Hot prospect: Jack Wilshere
On the ball: Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge

Waiting in the wings: Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge could enhance their reputations

Hodgson is realistic enough to know that the Manaus heat - it was 35 degrees celsius on Tuesday without taking into the account the humidity - will be a huge factor. He cannot realistically expect Steven Gerrard, at 34, to make those lung-busting runs up and down the field in the opening game.

Instead the captain will be patrolling in front of the back four and asked to conserve energy and use his experience to bring some of the younger members of the squad in to play.

Hodgson's plan is to win the ball back and then make sure that Gerrard and Henderson give it to fresh young legs who can make an impact in the final third. It is sensible planning.

They are in a tough pool of teams, but Germany lost one of their group games back in 2010 and it didn't hurt them.

England's warm-up matches are no great indicators and it is far too early to start talking about the revolution of English football. For once, though, it would be nice to talk about a revelation.

 

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I've watched England since I was 10 - that's 36 years - never have I seen an embarrassing loss like 2010 to Germany - may this never happen again. I may renounce my citizenship.

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Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge, Luke Shaw and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain... comparing them to the like of Khedira, Muller and Ozil... are you kidding me... no way... those english lads now are not even half as good as those germans were 4 years back.... out of those 5 only 1 has got clear cut starting eleven other are just so so compared to the germans..

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chamberlain is better than sterling and barkley but doesnt get a mention

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The Ox and Wiltshire have had outstanding seasons... really??? Expecting the younger player's to be exciting in Hodgson's bore draw tactics is a pipe dream I'm afraid and if they fail you and your mates will slaughter them.... as usual.... unlike the german press!

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We had the so called golden generation who never on anything at international level- now we are touting anew generation of the golde geeration. Just let it e and acclim those payers only hen they ave actually won something a international level

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Except hardly any of our young players will play, hodgson Is insistent on Wayne rooney

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"It was a bold thing to agree to do and not something you would expect to see from England's head coach Hodgson" Hodgson holding up two fingers. Nah, you're right, I can't see it either - he's too polite to swear

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Ozil was fantastic at last world cup, hope to see it again this time around.

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The difference is the German team has a winning mentality, whereas English players tend to be bottlers on the international level.

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But they are the Germans! It's expected! They are nearly always there or thereabouts! We are in for a major shock in Manaus, the Italians will control possession and we will suffer so much physically i think they will pinch it late on

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