Osman handed first England cap

Lyndon Lloyd , 13 November, 52comments | Jump to most recent

Everton's late bloomer will start against Sweden

Leon Osman will get the first England start he has been hoping for after Roy Hodgson announced the starting line-up for tomorrow's friendly against Sweden.

With Liverpool's teenage winger Rahim Sterling also getting the nod, 31-year-old Osman's selection will mark the biggest age gap between England debutants since the War.

The Blues midfielder will be joined from the first whistle by Leighton Baines; Phil Jagielka is on the bench for the Three Lions.

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports

Reader Comments (52)

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Anthony Lewis
1 Posted 14/11/2012 at 00:02:47

Well done Ossie.

Ste Traverse
2 Posted 14/11/2012 at 00:19:22

Osman has had his critics over the years - I've been one at times - but what a way to answer them.

Good luck Ossie. Don't come back injured though!

Peter Creer
3 Posted 14/11/2012 at 01:13:42

Leon Osman is getting what every hard working player should get in this world of 'pretty boys'.....the respect and recognition that makes Evertonians proud......well done! You will forever be an Everton international!

Jason Lam
4 Posted 14/11/2012 at 01:30:10

Well done Osman. I hope to see Osman bringing the best out of Baines too. COYB

Adolf Ng
5 Posted 14/11/2012 at 03:12:02

It proves the relevancy of an old saying "You never know the future, just work hard and make your own luck". Once again, congratulations, Osman, and well done !! (plsssss don't come back injured though...)

Kunal Desai
6 Posted 14/11/2012 at 06:43:52

It's a shame Hibbo's injured, no doubt he would have got a call up to... well done to Ossie for getting in the squad but this really does show the lack of talent in the national side and how poor it is.

Ben Dyke
7 Posted 14/11/2012 at 06:53:56

Kunal you miserable sod. If u won the lottery would u spend it all on your gravestone?

Congrats ossie. You deserve this chance.

Gareth Humphreys
8 Posted 14/11/2012 at 06:48:49

Kunal, disgraceful. This is an Everton site not an England site.

Keith Glazzard
9 Posted 14/11/2012 at 07:05:59

If Ossie wants this - and we suspect he might! - then its great for him. He's worked hard to get to where he is right now, a lesson to us all.

Thank the lord he's playing against Sweden and not Uruguay.

Vijay Nair
10 Posted 14/11/2012 at 08:25:52

Hibbo for England too!

Vijay Nair
11 Posted 14/11/2012 at 08:27:04

Wishful thinking.. yes I know :)

Joe Bibb
12 Posted 14/11/2012 at 08:44:27

Leon is a local lad, he has been picked for England; in football, that's as high as you can get. Ask Howard Kendall if he wanted an England Cap?

I want Leon to do well for many reasons. He deserves it — that is the obvious one; the name Everton gets high profile coverage... and it will give him even more confidence to perform for EFC.

Everything about his selection is a plus; who knows, there might be some multi-millionaire out there watching and he will invest in Everton.

No matter what, best wishes to Leon.

Anthony Jaras
13 Posted 14/11/2012 at 09:12:45

There's always one sourpuss that has to have a dig isn't there? Blue blood wouldn't allow a comment like this, so keep your negativity to yourself Kunal.

It's not wanted or needed here.

WELL DONE LEON OSMAN!

Kevin Day
14 Posted 14/11/2012 at 10:16:17

Is Kunal a red in disguise???

Liam Reilly
15 Posted 14/11/2012 at 09:31:31

I've been critcal of the wee man in the past, but based on his performances this season, he deserves this chance.

Hope he's not asked to play on the right!

Steve Smith
16 Posted 14/11/2012 at 11:14:05

At least with Ossie in the side, Bainsey might actually get the ball passed to him every now and again.

GJ Butler
17 Posted 14/11/2012 at 11:35:10

Lets all give Kunal a boot while he's lying down, shall we. The fact is he is entitled to his opinion and it's one I happen to agree with. I would've thought there were a few more in agreement to be honest.

Gareth - It is in a Everton site, but the subject is about an Evertonian being called up for England. The two go hand in hand in this case.

Anthony - Kunal isn't the first person to criticise and Everton player on this site. In fact, we've probably all done it, so to suggest your a bigger fan with bluer blood (to paraphrase) is idiotic and childish.

Kevin - I think the biggest insult to an Evertonian is to be called a Liverpool fan. Far more insulting than Kunal suggesting the England national team are on the demise when they are resorting to calling up a 31-year-old debutant.

Well done to Ossie by the way.

Ciarán McGlone
18 Posted 14/11/2012 at 13:17:50

GJ,

I certainly agree. Just didn't wanna piss on the parade.

However now the cats out of the proverbial..

I find it frankly laughable that on other threads certain posters have roundly chided those who've previously criticised him. As if this call-up invalidates any previous failings..

Fair play to him and I hope he doesn't let the ball roll under his foot like he did on Saturday...But a little perspective please.

Tom Bowers
19 Posted 14/11/2012 at 13:30:20

I am with Kunal on this one. Ossie was playing the same 3 years ago so why no cap then?

I suspect Hodgson is giving every English player a call-up for some reason, no matter what. Why else would he call Shelvey and Sterling who have not helped RS to any great heights and in my opinion not even proved themselves yet in the Prem?

I am glad however that Jagielka is not starting. Everton cannot afford him getting injured in a nothing game.

Martin Anderson
20 Posted 14/11/2012 at 13:46:32

Quite simply he's my favourite player – he's scored some amazing goals for us & blue to the core. I'm glad he wont finish his career as '...the best English player never to play for his country!'

Great stuff, Ozzie...!

Kase Chow
21 Posted 14/11/2012 at 13:34:01

Funny thing is that most players tend to play better for their club team than international.

Here's a massive prediction AHEAD of the game tonight: Ossie will have a greta game. His game is much more international & continental biased. I know we're playing a 'Premier League style' team in Sweden but I still reckon he'll help us keep the ball, move it quickly, find players in attacking positions and have the odd pot shot himself.

Let's see how our Ossie gets on but I reckon he'll do great – go on that lad!

Peter Webster
22 Posted 14/11/2012 at 13:43:28

Ossie's not the greatest player to have worn the Royal blue; he's a bit lightweight and sometimes goes missing, especially when played on the wing.

However, credit where it's due. I think he's been fantastic for us this season and I'm made up for him he's finally been given a cap.

I hope he has a great game and shows up the unimaginative, reactionary and sycophantic mindset the English setup is mired in.

Don't understand why people are having a go at Kunal. It seems a reasonable point he's making.

David Nicholls
23 Posted 14/11/2012 at 14:16:13

I'm probably as big a fan of Moyes as anyone. Yet, I have to admit that he has contributed to Osmans lack of recognition by failing to address our problem in the wide areas for so long.
Fair play to Osman though. He never hid and never complained, (are you listening Theo Walcott?) despite being made the scapegoat at times by certain sections of the blues faithful.
Finally, with Pienaar, Mirallas and Naismith we have enough quality in the wide areas to allow Ossie to flourish in his natural position.

Well done Leon. Well deserved.

Alan Brown
24 Posted 14/11/2012 at 14:38:28

Congrats to Leon. I wonder if the Reds are worried about Sterling being tapped up by a top four club. I know we don't want him but one of the other three might.

Jim Knightley
25 Posted 14/11/2012 at 15:00:13

Leon is a good player...I think he has been the victim of his versatility sometimes? Or rather, as David points out, our weakness in wide areas. In a central position, he is clearly a good Premier League player, and is blessed with good vision/passing/technique. Given some of those who have been given international caps... I think it is about time he had some recognition.

Paul Dark
26 Posted 14/11/2012 at 15:17:34

Good luck to him ... but it is staggering. He shouldn't be even in our squad, let alone starting XI. He was pretty ineffectual against Sunderland ... again and unsurprisingly ... yet continues to amass plaudits.

It really is baffling.

Kevin Byrne
27 Posted 14/11/2012 at 15:18:58

Good luck Leon, Englands sad state at the present time is not your fault. Howard Kendall must be scratcing his head though.

Charlie Dixon
28 Posted 14/11/2012 at 15:46:06

Cheer up, you miserable lot. Ossie seems chuffed, Moyes seems chuffed, as do the whole squad and staff. He's given us 100% and I've never heard a bad thing about him on or off the field. Whether you rate him or not, is surely irrelevant. It's a friendly against Sweden so England fans fear not either if he's shite!

Makes a refreshing change from seeing those horrible shithouses from South West London dominating the back pages and national websites.

Give the lad a bit of credit for sticking with it and never giving up hope. That's a lesson for us all, although getting picked by my Sunday League gaffer is problematic enough as it is.

Well done, Ossie. You're no doubt making your family and friends very proud, and that goes for the more optimistic blues among us.

I've had £10 on first goal so Laces Out!

Mike Powell
29 Posted 14/11/2012 at 15:59:46

Good luck, Ossie. I might even watch the England match tonight now, which I very rarely do. I'm not a big fan of England but I will watch them tonight.

Terry White
30 Posted 14/11/2012 at 16:26:41

Paul Dark, #565, did you see the game against Sunderland that I saw? My game had Ossie passing to Fellaini - goal #1. Then it had Ossie passing to Felli, touch to Jelli, goal #2. That is not "pretty ineffectual" to me. Perhaps if you take off your blinkers you will see some good in the players you clearly dislike. Ossie was, as usual, very sound against Sunderland.

Anthony Jaras
31 Posted 14/11/2012 at 16:33:11

Spot on Terry.

Paul Dark
32 Posted 14/11/2012 at 16:55:34

Terry, I don't dislike him a priori; I just think he's a sub-mediocre player – but I seem to be in the minority. Even Martin Jol (who seems level-headed) praised him.

He does repeatedly give the ball away, though – especially when we have men committed forward: passes backwards, loses the ball, has a terrible shot and plays the simple ball always (in the negative sense of the word ('simple')). And he does all this consistently. He does do 0.5-2 good things a game... but that isn't enough? We need to move on from him if we're to continue our progress, in my view.

The partnership of Neville and Osman in the centre of midfield is no good. We won't get away with it for much longer.

Sorry to be critical, but I don't consider this comment equates to negativity.

Ken Crowther
33 Posted 14/11/2012 at 17:04:38

Terry White #577

Attaboy!!

Paul Dark, you know Fuck All!!

Brent Stephens
34 Posted 14/11/2012 at 17:05:09

Paul #565. Like you I'd also use the words "staggering" and "baffling" - in relation to your own post. Terry White has it more correct about the Sunderland game in my view. You can see from all the posts on here and previous threads about his England selection that yours is a very minority view. Staggering, baffling.

Jeremy Benson
35 Posted 14/11/2012 at 17:09:14

Good luck leon, I'll be watching tonight and cheering you on.

Sadly, there are always some "fans" who will moan about anything and everything and criticise.

Mike Prendergast
36 Posted 14/11/2012 at 17:26:54

Ben #502
I have had the shittiest day I have had in awhile today.
But your comment has just made me laugh out loud.
Good that is funny.
Cheers.
Pal.
Now for a beer.

Tony J Williams
37 Posted 14/11/2012 at 17:28:31

This could be the first England friendly I watch without falling asleep half way through the second half.......I doubt it though.

Come on Ossie, past seven men then meg the keeper

Kase Chow
38 Posted 14/11/2012 at 18:20:44

Alan 558, brilliant!

And Factual

Barry Rathbone
39 Posted 14/11/2012 at 18:26:56

I'll make the effort to watch England for the first time since the Euros of '96 because of Ossie.

Well done to Roy Hodgson for playing lads on merit - first time in decades.

C'mon Ossie have a stormer.

Tom Bowers
40 Posted 14/11/2012 at 18:28:00

The England team selection is down to one man and his choices only, the same as Prem.team managers.

Many managers live and die with their selections. Every football fan has his own ideas as to who is good and who isn't.

Of course all the players are good but some are not necessarily good enough for their national teams.

Two such players are Howard Kendall and Mikel Arteta .

So what kind of managerial morons would consider neither of these players worthy of at least one cap?

Stevie G.is getting his 100th.cap and yet in very many of his previous appearances he has not stepped up to the plate and performed as well as he should have done. At club level he has carried RS granted but has been ordinary at national level.
The whole selection system is unfair to some and overly
fair for too many others.

Seems to me Hogdson is trying to put that right. Sadly he wasn't around when Kendall needed him.

Christopher Kelly
41 Posted 14/11/2012 at 19:07:27

It would be a shame to get your first call up at 31 and not be capped! good on ya Roy!

There is obviously no downside in this for anyone so lets have a laugh and enjoy the little guy while he's out there.

I wonder what's going on at Finch Farm (3v3)? Maybe Stubbs and Round can get out there and get a run out with the others?

Phil Sammon
42 Posted 14/11/2012 at 19:22:14

Barry

Playing lads on merit? Ashley Young is starting too! He's been woeful this season.

I love Ossie and I'm made up for him getting a cap...but what is going on with the England team? Shouldn't we be looking to the youth and building a brand new team, rather than persisting with the same old lot who have repeatedly fallen short.

Anyway, who cares. Club before Country.

Barry Rathbone
43 Posted 14/11/2012 at 20:32:30

Phil, in fairness you have a point guess what I'm really getting at is joy at the days of the spurrious "golden generation" are finally dieing off.

Owen, Ferdinand, Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard and a few others got far too many caps for my liking .

Anthony Jaras
44 Posted 14/11/2012 at 20:53:23

Osman having a great game second half.

Kunal Desai
45 Posted 14/11/2012 at 20:42:07

I'm not mocking Ossie, for those having a dig at me stop acting like kids in a play school and grow up! Fair play to the lad for getting into the national side.

I'm a blue throughout and I'm more concerned he doesn't get injured tonight as we need him in the midfield for Saturday against reading, what with the limitations in midfield we currently have. I hope Osman does well and all the best to the guy, but lets get one thing straight, look at the current national side - Glen Johnson, Walcott, Welbeck, Milner, Cahill, Carroll et al... are you telling me these are world class players??

My point is there is a shortage of talent coming through the England ranks and with the exception of one or two players the majority of the England squad are mediocre at best, you probably only have to be English these days to earn a cap!

Personally I hope this boosts Ossie's confidence and he gets a few more further caps if it impacts his future performances at Everton for the better. And no I was not kidding when I said Hibbo could also get in the side. A solid defender who has his limitations and his fair share of detractors but could still do a job at RB if called upon by England.

James Flynn
46 Posted 14/11/2012 at 21:04:43

Kunal - Agree on Hibbert.

Can't get the game here but hope Ossie shows he belongs. He does to me.

And keeping it Evertonian, Howard played great for the US today in our draw against Russia.

Brent Stephens
47 Posted 14/11/2012 at 21:14:23

Well done Ossie, a really good game for England tonight. Calm, perceptive, with effective and efficient passing. Never hid, always looking for the ball. Kept it ticking over. Dangerous in the box at times. And all in his first game. Sweden are no mugs. Did any England man play better than him? He did us proud.

And Baines again looking the part. And no injuries.

Ibrahimovic will get better with time (!!)

Phil Sammon
48 Posted 14/11/2012 at 21:25:19

Baines and Ossie looked good. I'm clearly biased, but I think they were the two best players on the pitch.

Joe Hart deserves a pasting for that performance. That goal at the end was an unreal finish, but Hart gave him the oppotunity with a woeful clearance.

Jim Knightley
49 Posted 14/11/2012 at 21:30:54

Really impressed with Baines and Osman...But Ibrahimovic is unreal. He was amazing in the summer as well...shame we never got to see him in the Premiership.

John Nugent
50 Posted 14/11/2012 at 21:49:36

If anyone hasn't seen it

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv3ekk_ibrahimovic-amazing-bicycle-goal-sweden-4-2-england-14-11-2012_sport?search_algo=2#.UKQSGIfZbQh

Kase Chow
51 Posted 14/11/2012 at 23:04:17

Was hoping Ossie would dictate the match but perhaps I was being unrealistic

Decent game but the favourites will be back

Ian Smitham
52 Posted 14/11/2012 at 23:29:58

First, I admit I am biased, but was Ossie the England best player tonight? LB did well,would have liked to see PJ on at the same time , but iti s all profile for the club.

The Goalkeeper is no doubt great, but he looks to me like he loves to consider what or how he looks more than doing his job. Prima Donna.

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