Similar to Steven Caulker, Huddlestones quality performances at small club were ignored for under- performing players at bigger clubs. Steven Gerrard didn't have a proper back-up in Brazil, for his role as the deep-lying playmaker; Frank Lampard wasn't such a player and it could be argued his role as team vice-captain, was more significant than his playing contribution. After all in the two crucial Italy and Uruguay matches, Hodgson chose the younger midfielders as substitutes. In the post Gerrard/Lampard era, Huddlestone posses a very solid combination vision, tackling and passing range that is unmatched by any young English mid-fielder. Such qualities should make him an important cog in a reshaped, England mid-field engine room.