England watch - Tom Huddlestone
Tom Huddlestone: a star of the future
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Wednesday, 06, Sep 2006 05:50
Steve McClaren's England era is off and running: Captain John Terry is proving a unanimously popular appointment, Owen Hargreaves, against all odds, appears to be the solution to Sven's fatal midfield conundrum and Becks, Sol and David 'safehands' James are but distant memories.
Now on the agenda are the players of the future. Who will make or break Macca's time in charge of the Three Lions, who will provide the inspiration behind England's charge in Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland and, most importantly, who will help deliver the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?
Each week we take a detailed look at some of the promising young talents in the English game who could outshine their more established international team-mates in four years' time. Soho Square take note.
Third up; a Spurs starlet who some believe already has the talent to be part of McClaren's chosen few.
Name: Tom Huddlestone
Position: Defender / Midfielder
Club: Tottenham
Age at start of South Africa 2010: 23
Tom Huddlestone, otherwise known as The Hudd, burst on to the footballing scene with Championship side Derby County three years ago at the tender age of 16. An imposing figure even then, Huddlestone's impact was instant, despite his debut ending in a 3-0 home defeat by Stoke City.
Then Rams manager George Burley admitted he had "a top-class player" on his books, words that would ultimately return to haunt him as the big clubs inevitably began circling the precocious teenager. Derby did manage to get nearly 100 appearances out of Huddlestone as he grew in stature and reputation as an inspiring defensive midfielder and a more than capable central defender to boot. Caps for England junior ranks followed and a Premiership switch was inevitable.
Tottenham, helped by their track record of recruiting young English talent, beat off competition from a host of top clubs to land him and he put the final touches to a £2.5 million move to White Hart Lane in July last year. Unfortunately for him, and as is commonplace in the Premiership, first-team chances proved hard to come by which precipitated an uninspiring three-month loan spell at Wolves towards the end of the 2005/06 season.
Arguments are that he made the wrong move last year. Now, back at Spurs, he has mustered just 15 minutes of first-team action this season and many suggest his blossoming career, while not being helped by injury niggles, has been stalled by Martin Jol.
But with the sale of Michael Carrick to Manchester United, chances could now be made available for Huddlestone to stake his claim for a regular starting spot. A powerful tackling presence, with a superb aerial ability and cultured distribution, Huddlestone has been earmarked for greatness. Under-21 boss Peter Taylor is a fan, having already given him eight caps, and if he is given chances at Spurs then McClaren will come calling.
England's 2010 World Cup squad
*Players in bold - tickets to South Africa booked already
Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson
Possibles: Chris Kirkland, Ben Foster, Rob Green, Scott Carson
Defenders
John Terry, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher
Possibles: Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Anton Ferdinand, Leighton Baines, Justin Hoyte, Curtis Davies, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley, Michael Mancienne
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick
Possibles: Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Nigel Reo-Coker, Lee Cattermole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stewart Downing, Giles Barnes, James Morrison, Kieran Richardson
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen
Possibles: David Nugent, Theo Walcott, James Vaughan, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent, Dean Ashton, Cameron Jerome