Reformed bad boy Ravel Morrison can pack up his troubles in his old kit bag and head off to Rio next summer.
That’s the view, indeed the hope, of West Ham legend Tony Cottee who says Morrison deserves great credit for getting his career back on track.
The youngster’s off-the-field probelms which led to his Manchester United departure appear to be behind him and he is now starring for both club and country.
Morrison followed up his spectacular solo effort against Spurs last weekend with a two-goal wonder show for England Under 21s against Lithuania on Tuesday.
All of a sudden, the talented 20-year-old has been projected into the bracket of would-be World Cup star as a potential Roy Hodgson ‘wild card’ pick.
TC was top dog at Upton Park during two goal-laden spells and he reckons the latest Hammers’ hero has the world at his dancing feet.
“It’s far too early to start predicting what may happen next summer, but if he carries on doing what he has done so far this season he is certainly in with a shout,” says Cottee.
“The problems he had have been well documented but there has been a really big change in his attitude, and that has been the key to his success over the last year or so.
“I think Sam Allardyce deserves great praise for the way he has handled Ravel and got the best out of him, but most of all give credit to the player himself.”
After being shown the exit door at Old Trafford, Morrison struggled to initially settle at West Ham but has returned a reformed character after impressing on loan at Birmingham.
His wide array of skills and enormous self-belief have given Cottee flashbacks to the days when Paul Gascoigne and Glenn Hoddle were ruling the midfield roost.
“It’s miles too early to start comparing Ravel with Gazza and Glenn,” continues the former England striker. “But there are similarities in terms of their confidence and arrogance on the ball.
“They are not afraid to try different things and Ravel is certainly playing without any fear at the moment. If he maintains the form he has shown so far, he can achieve anything he wants.
“He’s got a great manager who has shown faith in him, and good players around him but there is only one person who can make this happen...and that’s the player himself.”
Vote for Ravel Morrison in this months PFA Fan's Player of the Month pole
Source: DSG
