Ravel Morrison is the new Gazza

In a week dominated by two young players producing great performances (Adnan Januzaj and Ravel Morrison), the press is suddenly over-run with stories of the two individuals.

Never in my life have I seen a West Ham player getting so much coverage on news channels to double page spreads in newspapers, and I am so glad that it is positive stories for Ravel.

Most of the press attention has been on Adnan Januzaj and his links with England that he neither has nor wants. Ravel Morrison WANTS to play for England and with new Under-21′s manager Gareth Southgate giving him a call-up, his international story starts here.

I put the following question to Daily Telegraph sports journalist, Henry Winter.

“Shouldn’t Ravel Morrison be admired for a future England player rather than Adnan Januzaj, who probably doesn’t even want to play for England?”

Henry’s reply was one of agreement.

“Totally agree, Toby. Ravel wants to play for England, Southgate was singing his praises at the Under-21s yesterday, and is as English as they come.”

He also credited Lee Clark and Sam Allardyce for his turn around in behaviour.

“Now he’s realised that if he focuses on being a professional, he will be a multi-millionaire within a few years”

Henry Winter ended my question with a bold yet fanatastic statement.

“Real Talent. The most naturally gifted midfielder I’ve seen at youth level since Gazza”

Paul Gascoigne was before my time so I was never lucky enough to witness his gift. For Ravel to be compared to Gazza by a man who knows about the state of youth football in England is fantastic, even more so that he is blossoming at West Ham.

I am happy to see Ravel in all the news as long as it’s positive news about his footballing ability, and I am positive that will be the case while he is with West Ham and Sam Allardyce.