Kyle Walker vs Glen Johnson ai??i?? Whoai??i??s The Better Right-back For Englandai??i??s World Cup Campaign?

Roy Hodgson must make a calculated decision in order to keep his defensive line strong and pick the best right wing back to ensure England has a good World Cup run.

The English National team has had a reputation that is mocked by the football world. With a squad boasting of world class players, they just do not have the synergy to work well together. With only one victory coming in 1966, the English Football team has struggled to make a mark and establish themselves as a super power among footballing nations.

Roy Hodgson has a very difficult task to pick the perfect squad to ensure that all the negative reputation the Three Lions have earned is put to rest. One position which the manager needs to fill is the right-back and here he has a large array of players to pick from. However two front runners for this position are Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur and Glen Johnson of Liverpool.

Kyle Walker has had his share of international game time. Having been part of the England Under-19 squad ever since 2009, Walkerai??i??s commendable performances in the team and for his club earned him a spot in the senior squad in February 2011. Having been picked as part of the UEFA European Football Championship squad, Walker earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament despite the squadai??i??s poor show.

Walker today is one of the fastest football players in the Premier League. Opposition players often fear his over-lapping runs as he leaves them behind in a trail of dust and turf. Adding to his pace are his crossing ability and lethal right foot. Having scored a scorcher through a free-kick Walker is surely a secret weapon when the team requires a different spot kicker. Nevertheless we forget the fact that he is a defender and his defensive skills are what we should focus on. Walker has always had his pace favour him and ensure no forward or winger outruns him on his flank. His athleticism and somewhat moderate physical stature have ensured he has not been pushed around or outplayed. However, his eagerness to run up into the opposing half has often caught him out of position and sometimes proved to be a disadvantage for the team as a whole.

Glen Johnson is no stranger to English Football. Having 49 caps for the national side already, Johnson is the more experienced of the two. Part of the England Under-21 Squad as Gary Nevilleai??i??s under study, Glen Johnson didnai??i??t shine and eventually gave away his spot and struggled to make it to the senior national side. However, in 2008 he was named in the squad under Fabio Capelloai??i??s management and cemented his spot in the team after a praiseworthy performance in the 2010 World Cup.

Johnsonai??i??s Liverpool campaign in the current year has gone well. The Reds have been considered a title contender in the current season and although having missed a few games for the club due to injury, Johnson has been instrumental in Rodgersai??i?? campaign playing as a Wing back in a 3-5-2 formation as well as a regular right back in a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation. Glen Johnson, much like his compatriot, enjoys the thrills of being behind enemy lines. Although he doesnai??i??t share a thunderous right foot as Walker does, he has quick feet that allow him to dribble past the opposition and unlike the Spurs man can use both feet considerably well. Glen Johnson conversely has shown that he is much more defensively sound than Walker.

Other Notable Candidates

Although the two mentioned players are true blue English footballers we cannot leave out the hordes of other full backs who have turned a few heads. Micah Richards is someone you simply cannot ignore. Apart from the fact that he is Balotelliai??i??s doppelganger, Richards is a strong powerful right back who caught a lot of eyes playing for Manchester City. However with the manager preferring Zabaleta over him, Richards has suffered as his reduced game time might hamper his inclusion in the England squad.

Two other notable candidates for the position are Manchester Unitedai??i??s Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Both players, though naturally a center half and a defensive midfielder respectively, have had considerable experience playing in the right-back position for the club and make good candidates to be picked. However, it is believed that conventionally Hodgson may prefer to play a natural at the position rather than a makeshift player. Arsenalai??i??s Jenkinson too is a striking pick for the manager; however his lack of experience may give the other candidates an upper hand.

Conclusion

A blind decision purely on observation cannot be made. Hence a few numbers may aid in telling the players apart.

	Glen Johnson	Kyle Walker
Appearance	16	20
Tackles	36	44
Interceptions	28	44
Shots Blocked	5	4
Successful Dribbles	28	15
Shots	13	15
Accurate Crosses	5/33	14/70
Passing Accuraccy	83%	82%

With Kyle Walker having played more games, he seems to have an upper hand with more number of chances to redeem himself. However on closer analysis it is revealed to us that Glen Johnson has a better per game statistic. Walkerai??i??s cross accuracy and Glen Johnsonai??i??s dribble success rate reflects the style of both players as well as the tactics their respective club managers choose to employ. With Johnson being a better shot blocker and Walker better at interceptions, the two players are quiet difficult to choose from.

Glen Johnson seems the better choice to be picked of the two owing mainly to his experience. However with the whole second half of the season left for players to showcase their talents, Hodgson can make a careful decision.

Kyle Walker vs Glen Johnson ai??i?? Whoai??i??s The Better Right-back For Englandai??i??s World Cup Campaign?

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