After Fabio Capello announced his final 23 man squad for England's march against the world there was general bemusement around the land as to why Emile Heskey, a man who has scored a mere 7 goals in 59 England appearances, was picked to go to South Africa.
As has been widely reported, two goalkeepers, Rene Higuita, Columbia's shot stopper who was famed for his Scorpian Kick which shocked England in a friendly game in 1995, and Jose Luis Chilavert of Paraguay who during his playing days struck the back of the net 8 times for his national side, scored more goals at International level than Heskey. These statistics have provided humour and anger in equal measure, mainly amongst Sunderland fans who couldn't believe why their number 11 Darren Bent, who struck 24 times in the Premiership last year, was left out. One black cats fan even took it upon himself to post the stats on Bent's official Twitter page, not that it would have provided much relief for the striker.
However Heskey showed yesterday in Rustenburg, during England's World Cup opener against the United States of America, just why he is in the team. He was arguably England's best performer as he battled relentlessly with the man mountain Oguchi Onyewu, winning almost every header and every 50-50 against the AC Milan man, all the while winning free kicks in valuable positions; free kicks which predictably Frank Lampard wasted. Emile Heskey, a man who netted just 5 times for Aston Villa last season, turned up and battled for his country in a match when all of England's "superstars" stood effectively frozen in Rustenburg as Robert Green threw in an equaliser for the states, which in doing so meant Green achieved an impressive feat: producing an error even worse than former England internationals David Seaman, Paul Robinson and Scott Carson.
Heskey's assets of creating goals and helping the side were evident in just the fourth minute of the match as he held up the ball before playing a clever reverse pass sending Captain Steven Gerrard in on goal. Gerrard who graciously ran into the space Heskey had created for him to fire England into the lead. Whilst Heskey did the job he is in the team to do, and did the job well, those around him let him down. Wayne Rooney, who many have tipped to boss the tournament, failed to anticipate any of Heskey's flick ons whilst failing to utilise the space Heskey created for him which raises eyebrows as the Manchester United man has gone on record saying he loves playing with Heskey, but on his performance yesterday it seems he wants Heskey to spoon feed him.
Before I get lambasted with comments of Heskey's goalscoring record, I remind you that I am a firm believer in the fact that strikers should score goals and Heskey's impotence in front of goal was exemplified in the second half when Lennon played the big Villa front man through on goal. With only Tim Howard to beat, Heskey will have had half the nation out of their seats waiting to explode in a fit of delight. However this dream did not become a reality, as Heskey brilliantly highlighted the reasons why he is constantly criticised, by firing the ball straight at Everton's Tim Howard despite having the whole goal to aim at. It was a chance that, in reality England's fans, manager, players, and perhaps even Heskey himself, knew would never find the net. Even as he ran towards the American goal he never looked confident which perhaps explains why fails to consistently find the net.
Heskey's contribution to the national side is huge and undeniable, his assist for Gerrard yesterday alone highlights that, however his presence on the pitch in an England shirt in many ways has an adverse effect on the team. The sheer volume of long balls pumped towards Big Emile were too numerous to count, as Ledley King, John Terry and Jamie Carragher constantly used Heskey as a get out option time and time again. However by choosing to play more direct, the quality of players like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard become neutralised as they spend their time watching the ball fly over their heads. Perhaps if England are to finally realise their potential at a major tournament, they need to adapt by sacrificing Heskey and playing a 4-5-1.
Whether Fabio Capello will adapt his usual 4-4-2 system during a major tournament remains to be seen, but what is unquestionable is the effect of Emile Heskey on a team. His qualities are open for everyone to see, he battles and fights and does the dirty stuff, stuff that is apparently beyond the strike partners Heskey has played with. If only he could score goals.
Paul Seed
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