Source: Daily_Mail
Ipswich wonderkid Connor Wickham passes Euro test on his way to the top
[LNB]Making a name for himself: Wickham's reputation soared as three goals in four games earned him the Football League's young player of the month award for April[LNB]The gleaming new Audisitting in the drive looksevery inch a successfulfootballer's favouredmode of transport.Except for one thing the tell-taleL-plates that confirm its young ownerhas one crucial step still to take. [LNB]The vehicle parked outside his parents'home in Colchester belongs to ConnorWickham, the 17-year-old wonderkidwhose goal saw England crownedEuropean Under 17 champions just 48hours ago. [LNB]And if Wickham copes as well behindthe wheel as he has on the pitch, his drivingtest will surely be passed with flyingcolours when he takes it later this week. [LNB]Ipswich have unearthed many a risingstar and as far back as 1978 nine of the 12players used by Bobby Robson in theclub's FA Cup final win over Arsenalwere products of the youth scheme. [LNB]That trend has continued ever since but Hereford-born Wickham is not ahome-grown success and is only pursuinga similar career path at PortmanRoad because of a quirk of fate. [LNB]He would probably have made his seniordebut for Reading by now had hisfather, a sergeant in the military police,not been transferred from Aldershot toColchester. [LNB]That left Wickham Snr with little choicebut to uproot the family, opening thedoor for Connor, who was 13 at the time,to join Ipswich. [LNB]The club's staff couldhardly believe their luck.Boss Roy Keane was quickly alerted tohis vast potential when he took charge inApril last year because just a fortnightearlier Wickham had become Ipswich'syoungest ever player at the age of 16years and 11 days.[LNB]Star in the making: Connor Wickham helped England to UEFA Under-17 Championship glory[LNB] Keane did his best to play downWickham's rapid rise, constantlyreminding inquisitors of the pitfalls thatcould lie ahead to stunt his progress.[LNB] But Keane was unable to hold himback and after three goals in four leaguegames in April this year he was namedthe Football League's young player ofthe month. [LNB]That form surge was enough toconvince Tottenham to table a £5millionbid and the secret was well and truly outwhen his goals two in the semi-final tosee off France and the winner in the finalagainst Spain clinched England's firstEuro success at this level. [LNB]His display even prompted ex-Englanddefender Russell Osman, co-commentatingfor satellite TV channel Eurosport,to proclaim Wickham as a better alternativeto Emile Heskey for England's WorldCup squad. [LNB]Away from the microphone, formerBristol City boss Osman was unrepentantabout his remark and insisted: 'Iwasn't being flippant. It's not bias, either,because I played for Ipswich. [LNB]'Of course people will question why(Fabio) Capello would take Wickham tothe World Cup but my reply would be,'Why not?' Sven Goran Eriksson pickedTheo Walcott four years ago and he was17 with even less experience thanWickham. [LNB] The nurturer: Ipswich boss Roy Keane knows he's got a gem on his hands [LNB]'If there's one area of the England teamwhere we are possibly a bit short it's upfront. [LNB]'We have a problem knowing whoto play alongside Wayne Rooney andanother when it comes to putting theball in the net. [LNB]Connor's £10m cordonIpswich have put a £10millionvaluation on striker Connor Wickhamto try to scare off interest fromArsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa.The Championship club are sodetermined to keep the 17-year-oldthat interested parties are alsobeing told any deal would includefurther payments based onappearances and success.Tottenham manager Harry Redknappmade a £5m offer last month whichwould allow Wickham to return toIpswich on loan.[LNB]'Wickham could do it. He's not a boy,he's a 17-year-old man and with hisability allied to his physique I genuinelythink he's a one-off. [LNB]'He can do the lot. He hit two good left footshots for his goals in the semi-finaland an excellent right-foot drive in thefinal. [LNB]'He's just as strong as Heskey and hasa better eye for goal. And here's thefrightening part he's still growing.[LNB]'At the moment he's 6ft 3in tall andweighs 14 stone but from my own experienceI reckon he will be 19 before hestops.[LNB]'There were times in Liechtensteinwhen referees thought he was bullyingopponents and gave unfair decisionsagainst him. [LNB]'He wasn't actually doing anythingwrong; it was just that kids his own agecan't cope with him.'[LNB] England youngsters show seniors the way by claiming UEFA Under 17 titleEngland U17s 2 France U17s 1: Wickham seals final berth against SpainTottenham tempt Ipswich with £5m plus loan offer for starlet WickhamSunderland boss Bruce confirms interest in Ipswich youngster Wickham[LNB]
