How can England see a Spanish-esque revival?

Going into the 2008 European Championships, Spain and England had a similar underachieving history: with both teams last victories coming in the 1964 European Championships and the 1966 World Cup respectively. Now, this comparison is almost laughable such is the gulf between the achievements and quality of the teams. From Italia 1990 through to the employment of Steve McClaren or as the Spanish will look at it, the beginning of the Golden Era, England’s hopes have perhaps even looked more legitimate at major tournaments. A host of famous penalty shoot-out losses and other exits to major players on the World stage compare with the Spanish teams defeats to a lesser opposition such as Yugoslavia and South Korea. The two team's underachievement can be highlighted by both teams failure to qualify for the tournament they last won 28 years later.

In 2006 Luis Aragonés stated that the Spanish team was not strong enough to outmuscle teams and thus ball monopolisation was the key to their game. With the implementation of this change the Spanish national team is now seeing one of the most successful teams the world has ever seen, with little sign of stopping. England’s change may not bring the same results or success, but it could be just as dramatic. They too have to realise their limits and play to their strengths.  For England this is not to copy Spain’s football philosophy, which for many reasons is both unlikely to happen and is unreasonable for the players, fans and coaches alike. England’s strength lies in continuity, responsibility mixed with an attacking flair. The current England team has lacked many of these qualities when performing on the international stage in recent years.

A major limitation of the England team during the Noughties was its reliance on the individual. English media and national team coaches have relied on a spark coming from one or two players with hopes resting on the shoulders of the likes of Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard. The reliance on individual players can be devastated by injury or suspension, which has been seen in England matches and tournaments over the years, but more obviously does not allow the team to develop competition winning qualities. Successful teams work when all parts have, and take responsibility, in balanced harmony. The overreliance on specific individuals puts undue pressure on these players from both the public and opponents, but more importantly can turn a team toward a one-dimensional direction and void of responsibility.

The reliance on individual play has had a secondary effect during the ‘golden age’ of English football: the tactical selections seemed to be more about fitting as many of these stars in as possible than about the best tactics to break down certain teams. While these players are undoubtedly important for their club teams and possess International quality, balance is a much greater quality. All big club teams have players in their squad who complement the headline makers, and without which regular wins would be unsustainable. Seydou Kieta only missed two league matches for Barcelona during the 2010/11 season when many would not list him in their best starting XI.

With the advancement of Manchester City and Tottenham to add to the Chelsea English contingent and Manchester United and Liverpool’s continued development of English players, a more solid foundation in European competition, but more importantly, partnership building can occur. It is no surprise to see the Spanish team dominating, whilst many of their players are working together for their top club side too, where the importance of continuity is encapsulated and repeated every week. Barcelona players take responsibility all over the pitch, in and out of possession, something built in to the team psyche, which does not require great passes or dribblers to achieve. The English unit must strive to achieve this whilst the individual skill and tactical expertise will vary with selection, game to game.

Manchester United, England’s top club play football in a way which seems to lend itself to the current top English performers in the Premier Leagues. A solid defensive base which hits fast and high on the wings complements a sharp finisher playing off a clever and technically gifted number 10. This of course can change into a number of formations, but the mentality and partnerships formed remain: the important point for this debate which is uninterested in specific tactics or team selections (that will come in time). Sir Alex Fergusons side do not win championships on their team selection or individual talent, much in the same way Barcelona’s unrelenting skill is not the only formula to their success.

It is equally true that the Manchester United team, talked in the same breath as Barcelona, were outclassed by the Catalan giants whose quality of possession was too much for the English Champions. Is it therefore fruitless to build the national team on this model, when the Spanish one is built on Barcelona’s? I think no. Despite England’s ranking of fourth in the World by Fifa, they are a long way from a serious challenge for silverware and are frequently finding it difficult to achieve a rhythm. It is impossible to say how well an all English team playing to its strengths would be. However one that implements its own philosophy of developing a team mentality, would more likely bring results than the current team, which often looks lost and lacking in responsibility. This is something in which the whole team must take upon itself, using qualities developed in the Premier League. Individuals compete in big game match-ups but teams isolate the weakness’ of opponents for these individuals.