Sport
WHY JORDAN IBE WILL BE A FUTURE STAR FOR ENGLAND
Why Jordan Ibe Will Be a Future Star For England
Jordon Ibe is one of Europe’s top young talents and the 19-year-old recently confirmed that he wants to play international football for England rather than Nigeria. The Liverpool star has played for England’s youth teams and will be a success for the senior national team in the coming years.
England have failed to inspire on the international stage in recent years but that could all change in the near future. There are a number of top talents that are on the verge of breaking into the first team and these players are the future of English football. After all, England are crying out for young stars to take on the mantle in the near future.
Everton’s Ross Barkley has already played on numerous occasions for his country and looks right at home in the centre of the midfield. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both experienced yet at just 20 and 22, their best years are certainly ahead of them.
However, Ibe could be the most interesting and exciting of them all. Brendan Rodgers has a unique knack for getting the best out of his young talents and the Northern Irishman has handed Ibe a key role in Liverpool’s attack this season. His lightning speed, silky footwork and incredible technical ability all suggest that he will be a top player for both his club and country.
Essentially, Ibe is a very similar player to Sterling and the two could flourish for the national team in the future. Although Sterling is no longer at Anfield, the two youngsters will already know a lot about each other and their understanding and knowledge of each other’s game will be a tremendous asset to England in the future.
Traditionally, England have tended to perform better with out-and-out wingers on the field and Ibe will certainly hold his position and provide Roy Hodgson’s men with much-needed width. England are blessed with talent in wide areas; Theo Walcott, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ibe are just four of the top prospects in that particular area of the pitch.
While Ibe may not be called up to the England squad for next summer’s European Championships in France, his time will come. Walcott, Sterling and Oxlade-Chamberlain will all rank ahead of him in Hodgson’s thinking, bar an absolute outstanding run of performances throughout the remainder of the campaign.
However, Ibe offers that extra bit of trickery that the others cannot provide. In terms of sheer speed, it’s hard to split them but Ibe has an unrivalled ability to take players on and commit defenders. Even when it’s not going his way, he is tenacious and will continue to plug away at opposing full-backs to ensure they have a torrid 90 minutes.
Jordon Ibe is a special talent and England supporters should be incredibly relieved that the 19-year-old opted to represent The Three Lions on the international stage. While Ross Barkley may be the poster boy for the future of English football, Ibe is likely to light up the international game and will play a key role for England in future tournaments.
