Why do England always struggle to produce dribblers?

[emir]

Here's a great question. England, being the home of football, and a nation that have produced great players, have rarely produced any great dribblers in the last 20 years or so. The last recognised quality dribbler was Paul Gascoigne. Ryan Giggs was good but he was Welsh, George Best was amazing but he was from NI. The lack of dribblers, is that down to the system, culture, mentality? What is it? Will England ever produce a Messi, Neymar, Hazard, Ronaldo, Mbappe instead of Kane, Shearer, Lineker type players?

 

[ToffeeTim]

Poor coaching, poor pitches, lack of commitment from kids to practice, and a bit more poor coaching thrown into the mix.

 

[Kurt.]

Harry Kane spits before dribbling

 

[larbert toffee]

Poor coaching, poor pitches, lack of commitment from kids to practice, and a bit more poor coaching thrown into the mix.

I think it's equally having natural talent coached out of them, there doesn't seem to be any flying wingers nowadays such as Dave Thomas or Ronnie Goodlass who could skip down the wing and ping in pin point crosses.

A master class in wing play from Dave here.

 

[Moomin]

Because in England we don't allow brothers and sisters to mate like they do in Wales.

 

[kev]

Possibly something to do with the bibs they wear when training.

 

[john jako]

Theo doesn’t agree with you

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Joe Cole?

 

[canuckblue]

Most Brits dribble until they get their second set of teeth.

 

[Rob17896]

Here's a great question. England, being the home of football, and a nation that have produced great players, have rarely produced any great dribblers in the last 20 years or so. The last recognised quality dribbler was Paul Gascoigne. Ryan Giggs was good but he was Welsh, George Best was amazing but he was from NI. The lack of dribblers, is that down to the system, culture, mentality? What is it? Will England ever produce a Messi, Neymar, Hazard, Ronaldo, Mbappe instead of Kane, Shearer, Lineker type players?

I don't recall Gascoigne for that skill particularly. I can remember very few over the years. Cue outcry but I do not think it is a key skill in a good passing team. An advantage yes but you can do without.

 

[Moomin]

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Peter Beagrie.

 

[jaycee]

Obviously never witnessed BFS when that Frey bentos pie comes out the oven

 

[summerisle]

 

[WA Toffee]

Here's a great question. England, being the home of football, and a nation that have produced great players, have rarely produced any great dribblers in the last 20 years or so. The last recognised quality dribbler was Paul Gascoigne. Ryan Giggs was good but he was Welsh, George Best was amazing but he was from NI. The lack of dribblers, is that down to the system, culture, mentality? What is it? Will England ever produce a Messi, Neymar, Hazard, Ronaldo, Mbappe instead of Kane, Shearer, Lineker type players?

Because English fans (and managers) demand that players "put in a shift" and "show some commitment". Unless the player is genuine world class like those you mention, the focus is on working hard and getting stuck in