David Bentley; The New Frank Lampard?

Twelve months ago, David Bentley had just competed in an England 'B' game, and was due to travel with the England U21 Squad to compete in the European Championships. He pulled out, owing to the long season he'd just had, spending the last few weeks with the England squad, and having to start the next season early with Blackburn in the Inter-toto Cup. I defended his decision to all of those that booed him, and made outrageous remarks that he was turning his back on his country because he felt he was 'too good for the Under 21s'. This was never David Bentley's claim.

Since then, he has had another fantastic season for Blackburn, and earnt his way into the England set-up once again. However, he is in danger of following in the footsteps of too many fellow England players.

"I have learnt some players are good in training but not so good when it comes to the game." Fabio Capello.

David Bentley has featured in all of Capello's England matches, but in these last two matches against the USA and Trinidad & Tobago, he has failed to make an impression, and in fact has under performed. Could David Bentley be the new Frank Lampard?

Frank Lampard has turned the under-performing England midfield role his own since he replaced Paul Scholes. Two players that played exceptionally at club level but never fulfilled their potential in an England shirt. It is still early in David Bentley's England career, but this is a very good oppurtunity to establish himself in that right midfield position. Having played in each of Capello's England games, he has still been unable to oust an overaged and underperforming David Beckham. It seems likely that Bentley will leave Blackburn this summer, in the belief that he needs to be at a bigger club to prove his worth to the England team. This is utter rubbish. To prove his worth to the England team, he needs to deliver in an England shirt.

I have faith in Bentley's ability, but if he gets a chance against the Czech Republic in August and doesn't perform, he could find himself out of a side now operating with Stewart Downing and Ashley Young down the left and David Beckham and Joe Cole down the right.