review part 2

In continuation of part one of this ongoing series I previously noted that the weakness of the Tricolorii was primarily based the creative end of play and possessing the level of confidence needed to excel at this level. Part of this problem, in my opinion, relates to the lessening role of domestic league players within the national team which could cause a multitude of problems in years to come if the problem isn’t rectified. To understand this issue better, let’s crunch some numbers on team and individual work-rates.

France-Italy-Netherlands
Bogdan Lobonţ (Romania; Dinamo Bucureşti) - 4659 - 5295 - 5235
Marius Popa (Romania Poli Timişoara) dnp - dnp - dnp
Eduard Stăncioiu (Romania; CFR Cluj) dnp - dnp - dnp

Cosmin Contra (Spain; Getafe CF) 9989 - 10164 -10194
Răzvan Raţ (Ukraine; Shakhtar Donetsk) 9962 -10140 -10591
Gabriel Tamaş (France; AJ Auxerre) 9542 - 9641 - 9757
Cristian Chivu (Italy; Inter Milan) 10045 - 10524 - 11109
Dorin Goian (Romania; Steaua Bucureşti) 9765 - 9948 -11506
Mirel Rădoi (Romania: Steaua Bucureşti) 10693 - 2580 - dnp
Sorin Ghionea (Romania; Steaua Bucureşti) dnp - dnp - 10093
Cosmin Moţi (Romania;Dinamo Bucureşti) dnp - dnp - dnp
Ştefan Radu (Italy; Lazio) dnp - dnp - dnp
Cristian Săpunaru (Romania FC Rapid Bucureşti) dnp - dnp - dnp

Florentin Petre (Bulgaria;CSKA Sofia) dnp - 8082 - 1626
Paul Codrea (Italy; Siena) 3514 - 11660 -9446
Răzvan Cociş (Russia; Lokomotiv Moscow) 8871 -946 - 12743
Nicolae Dică ( Romania;Steaua Bucureşti) 129 - 8992 - 2725
Bănel Nicoliţă (Romania; Steaua Bucureşti) 12241 - 4513 - dnp
Adrian Cristea (Romania; Dinamo Bucureşti) dnp - dnp - dnp

Adrian Mutu (Italy; Fiorentina) 8492 - 9809 - 10255
Marius Niculae (Scotland; Inverness Caledonian Thistle) 2011 - dnp - 7866
Daniel Niculae (France; AJ Auxerre) 10613 - 11384 - 4246
Ciprian Marica (Germany; VfB Stuttgart) dnp - dnp - dnp

Given the fact these work-rate numbers / meters ran per match are in line with other statistical evaluations tools, you’re able to extrapolate the heavy reliance upon players outside of the domestic league as players from outside the domestic league account for 69% (France) , 79% (Italy) and 66% (Netherlands) of total work. While on the surface this might not appear to be a problem to solve for Coaches and administrators within the long-range development of the game it poses significant concern.

Naturally this isn’t such an easy problem to solve as with the race to see immediate success, developing younger players can unfortunately be forgotten. However without a strong youth development program as well as a supporting domestic league, the ability to crash through the top ten of the world is a near impossibility. Nations who typically do not support and develop their domestic leagues with a presence of players in the national team learn a very tough lesson as they find themselves on the losing end of matches and a dwindling ability to develop players as well as domestic coaches. I dare say this is one of the greatest problems England has within Football and to solve the situation, action must be taken that is swift and decisive.

With the upcoming friendly against Latvia it is important to expose a few younger players who play domestically to the international game if merely to get their feet wet. It is critical as the national team moves forward towards World Cup 2010 that they recognize their strengths but equally recognize fundamental flaws in the system. This is particularly important as you consider the aging squad and the afore-mentioned role of the development of the players domestically and their involvement in international competition. While this is only a partial list and does not include prior call-ups, Footballers such as Universitatea Craiova midfielders, 18 year-old Cosmin Gangioveanu, 22 year old Mihai Dina as well 23 year-old striker Florin Costea warrant consideration. The mercurial 24 year-old striker Andrei Cristea who is presently at Dinamo Bucureşti (although this is likely to change shortly) needs to be considered within call-ups once again as well as Unirea Valahorum Urziceni’s 25 year-old striker Cristian Dănălache. Gabriel Torje of Dinamo Bucureşti, at only 18, is a thrill to watch and in-time will be a top-flight player internationally. I can’t help but note that one of more interesting transfers that has received little attention this off-season is Emil Jula, now of Energie Cottbus. While he isn’t necessarily within the younger group of players his continued scoring prowess certainly make him worthy of consideration.

In part three of this review I will continue looking at the role of the domestic program, developmental plans, possible flaws, names to look out for in and out of the domestic league and how the re-emergence of Romania as a top-ten team in the world will maintain its course.