2431: Tottenham Hotspur: Ledley King

by : Chris Sherrard

Tottenham’s revival this season continued to gather pace on Saturday as they took a point from fallen champions Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

And, in truth, it should have been all three points such was the home side’s dominance in the first half and right up to the point when Pires scored the equaliser.

But once again one man shone out as a beacon of brilliance in the white shirt.

Step forward Ledley King.

Not content with being an inspiration and a world class performer at the back, the England international popped up in the right place at the right time to open the scoring at the weekend.

Of course it wasn’t the first time that King had found himself on the scoresheet.

But it should have served to propel the big man into the heart and mind of England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, sat in the stands on Saturday enjoying the show.

Surely the national coach saw in that match what everyone with half an interest in this beautiful game already knows: Ledley King is among the best players of his type in the world.

You see, Ledley King, for me, should be an England regular.

If he had his choice he would play at centre-back, his preferred position. There, in an ideal world, he would partner the England captain John Terry (yes I know he hasn’t got the title) and all would be well.

The reality in Eriksson’s England is that no matter how good your form is, if you weren’t doing it two or three years ago you aren’t going to be in his serious thinking.

That is why an out of form David Beckham retains his place and why Michael Owen will always play, regardless of the displays of people like Defoe and Bent.

There can be little argument that on current form the top two English central defenders are John Terry and Ledley King. No doubt.

Rio Ferdinand is on easy street, free-wheeling his way through football. Sol Campbell is now injured as often as his old team-mate Darren Anderton. When he does play he is assured but how reliable is he?

Regardless, Eriksson appears to have restricted the fight for the central defensive places to a fight for two from three. And King isn’t one of those.

Shame. But never mind because good old Ledley can do a job elsewhere.

In fact his selection in midfield is now pivotal to England’s World Cup hopes.

See, Sven, here is your much-needed anchor. Go and enjoy. Just pick King and you’ll be sweet.

Without him in there England will be coming home from Germany faster than expected.

Gerrard and Lampard are both world class but they don’t work together. Simple as that. So give up trying.

England, in common with all the great sides, need a midfield anchor. Someone to sit in front of the defence and sweep away any potential danger with a quick swing of the boot.

It’s widely referred to as the ‘Makelele role’ but Ledley King has proven before that he can do it every bit as well.

King is football’s new Marcel Desailly. The Desailly of rampaging dominance with Milan and France in the mid to late 90s, not the shambling lazy so-and-so as much loved by Ron Atkinson at the end of his time in English football.

Desailly was crucial for the Italian giants whether he was selected in midfield or at the back.

And Ledley King the midfield holder is vital to England’s hopes in the World Cup.

His presence will allow Lampard to go and play and get the goals. It will allow Terry and Ferdinand/ Campbell behind him to see things quicker and be better protected.

Surely Eriksson can see the imperative of this selection. If he doesn’t he can kiss goodnight to his statue at the new Wembley.

Chris Sherrard
30 October 2005