Steven Taylor - Future England international?

Does anyone else reckon if he has a season without being injured for longer than a few games or so, he could be called up for England when Terry/Ferdinand retire from international football?

Everybody judged him based on his few sub/cameo appearances and his out of position performance vs Everton.

However, when the lad is played properly, in position and gets a good run of games, does anyone else think he's international class? Or atleast worthy of a spot on the bench?

He's not just great in the air and a good goal threat, he reads the game very well and has saved us on a number of occassions with some last ditch blocks.

I know this might cause some controversy and get some people telling me to **** off, but i think when he's on form, there's not much between Colo and him.

Taylor is a strong centre back and good in the air, where as Colo has quick wit, skill and speed. They're a great pair.

I still think another CB is needed, because if something should happen to Colo or Taylor, i don't want another season with Willo. He's not a bad CB, but just not a good one either. He's not a catastrophic defender, he's just got no class about him what so ever.
And after our first 3 choices, we only have reserves/kids.

I'd offer 4m for Bassong if i was Pardew. Good defender, probably not as good as Taylor or Colo when they're both in form, but he's better than Willo and i think i remember he was voted player of the season in 08/09.

Anyway, i'm digressing. Yes or no?

He's got the ability and the passion of an England CB, and i'd love to see him in the Euro's.

The only problem with Taylor is sometimes he just gets carried away in the emotion and goes forward too much, but you can see he's been told to do his proper duty at the back as his positional awareness is back to what it used to be before his injury, spot on and helping us earn points.

 

I don't think he's currently international standard. But then again neither is the England team so probably yeah.

 

Mmm maybe not, he's 24? now and personally I don't see him defensively any where near international class.

 

No chance Cappello is a ****. Even if he got one cap that would be us ****ed cos Ashley would flog him

 

wow i actually agree with you!

 

Your learning.

 

Dunno tbh, would he start over Phil Jones/Smalling in the future?

Either way he needs to prove some fitness first, next season would be a good time to do so

 

I'm not too sure..if he can improve on the last few games of this year and continuing getting the odd goal then there would definitely be a shout (though there's a shout for Barton but that's been ignored...) but like it has been said can he be better than Phil Jones/Smalling in 5 years time, as well of the likes of Cahill, Dawson, Jagielka.
Time will tell I guess

 

I think there's too many good defenders and prospects ahead of him. He may get into the squad but can't see him being a regular starter. I guess though that 24 is still young for a CB so things may change.

 

There are too many better CB's that are a similar age, and by the time they retire, Taylor will be too old.

 

I agree with you this time around Tash!

But the part about Collo having 'wit' makes no sense in a footballing context.

 

Capello is leaving after 2012, which I also think could be the time that Ferdinand retires, so if he had a really good season then you never know, though players like Dawson and Jagielka are ahead of him, in my opinion.

 

No there are too many CB's ahead of him in the pecking order. There would have to be a major run of injuries before he would get a call up.

 

If Upson can play for England 21 times so can Steven Taylor! I reckon Taylor could be a decent back-up some day. There's not many top defenders coming through at the moment (which is a bit worrying). For me, it's time the old crop were gotten rid off. The only one I'd keep is Terry; him, Dawson, Jagielka, Dann, Saylor and P. Jones (in that order) are would be it for me.

 

Ahead of him at the moment:
Terry
Ferdinand
Cahill
Dawson
King - When fit
Jagielka
Smalling
Jones
Richards - Can cover centre back
Dann
R. Johnson

 

Let's hope that when Capello goes, all the fuddy duddy old suits will go too and we'll get a new broom to sweep the FA clean and get somebody that knows their football to run the show.

 

If he has a good year he could overtake some of them, Smalling won't get many games, King and Ferdinand won't be playing for England in 2 years time and Richards is a right back who hasn't really progressed.

 

Not to mention, Johnson who is actually a bit ****, but gets covered by Dann.

 

But any time i've seen him at centre back when he's covered the position he's looked much better than Taylor. Agree about King and Ferdinand, realistically i wouldn't probably want to see say Terry in the England squad in 2 years. But it's hard to predict two years a head, we've seen how one season can change you into an England player like Cahill or a young player having one good season can get a look in like Phil Jones.

 

Why are we talking about defenders anyway?

He'd fit in well up front imo.