International Players Should Be Picked on Form and Performances, Not Reputation

In July 2010, David James signed a one-year deal with Championship side Bristol City. Most people would naturally assume that would end his England career. The strongest reasons for thinking that would be his age and not playing Premier league football. At 40 years of age, there doesn't seem to be a lot of value in persisting with James, especially with younger players worthy of an opportunity.

The counter view is James is the man in possession of the England shirt and is still regarded as a quality goalkeeper. But if James is selected in the next England squad, it's highly likely he will be the only player there playing outside the Premier League. This opens up a wider debate on how players should be selected for International duty.

I don't personally have a problem with players being selected, who may play outside the Premier League. I do however, have a problem with players being selected on reputation alone, when there are perhaps other better options. That would be my take on David James. He has had a great career, but it's now time for England to move on.

I fear that James will be named in the next England squad. Unfortunately, the only possible reason to pick him is his reputation. I would like to see reputation thrown out of the window and pick players based off form and performances. A big name player shouldn't automatically get into the England squad, if they are not playing well.

The bottom line here is players should be picked, because their performances dictate they deserve to be. And not based on what they may have done in the past. If David James is really the best man for the job and he is playing well, then so be it. But then the same should apply to other players. For instance, why couldn't Adam Johnson be picked as a Championship player.

If in the future England squads are based on players playing well and in form, then so much the better. Pick a squad this way and England may finally start to enjoy the success they crave. The 2010 World Cup proved that picking the big name players and shoving them into a team, just doesn't work. Throw away the contact book and pick players that honestly deserve to be there based on their current form.

Source:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8874393.stm