Why England and Capello Will Benefit From This Summer’s Transfer Window. Part 4 – Connor Wickham

Published July 31, 2011 | By Zwardy

Having an Ipswich season ticket allowed me to see one of the most promising young English players develop over the past three seasons in the Championship – Connor Wickham…

An initial £8.1 million fee, potentially rising to above £12 million prised Wickham away from Portman Road to become one of nine new signings at the Stadium of Light.

Gifted with height, strength and a delicate touch, the 18-year-old made 60 appearances for the Tractor Boys, scoring 12 goals. His most memorable came last season against Sheffield United, picking the ball up in his own half, dribbling around three players and slotting past the keeper.

Following the 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final win over Arsenal in January, Wickham was utilised in a wide left or right role for the remainder of the season.

An England U17 and U21 international, he also scored his first professional hat trick at the age of 17 away at Doncaster, in a 6-0 rout for Ipswich last season.

Described as ‘the next Wayne Rooney’, Wickham will hope to add to his England U17 and U19 caps by breaking into the national squad this season.

While Steve Bruce has said that he has not finished strengthening his side for the new season, a partnership of Gyan and Wickham could prove to be exciting and fruitful.

Posted in Featured | Tagged 2012, England, European Championships, Fabio Capello, Ipswich, Summer Transfer Window, Sunderland