Paulo Di Canio, fresh from his departure at Swindon Town, has stated that the time is right for him to govern a Premier League club. The maverick Italian has been linked to the vacant position at Reading — despite Reading players coming out against his proposed move — after the sudden axing of Brian McDermott.

The former West Ham, Celtic and Juventus star has made a valid introduction to his short managerial career with his time at The Robins, leaving them in the League One play-off positions and guiding the Wiltshire club to the League 2 crown in May.

Nonetheless, would he be right for The Royals? Considering the slide that the Berkshire club are in and the fact Di Canio would not cost the club any compensation, a vague response would indicate he could be worth a gamble.

The 44 year-old bears absolutely no resemblance to the recently departed McDermott in terms of style, man-management and above all, experience.  This could prove a stumbling block for the Reading hierarchy but in all honesty they might not have freedom of choice with the sands of time very much against them.

However, perhaps that’s what a club like Reading need. McDermott is a very ‘proper’ and ‘old school’ style of manager who likes to quietly go about his business and develop his squad over time. Unfortunately the Premier League’s joint bottom side have not benefited from the 51 year-olds methods this term.

Di Canio would certainly introduce an individualist approach, comparable possibly to Jose Mourinho. A man who is very much not afraid to speak his mind and entertain fellow fans and the media alike with any such way he seems fit.

Of course, Di Canio does have his faults. He was famously banned for shoving over referee Paul Alcock whilst at Sheffield Wednesday which lead to an 11 match ban in 1998. It was an astonishing scene and Di Canio had introduced himself into English football in a rather unorthodox fashion.

This season demonstrates a prime example of his temper. Di Canio was ordered to the stands against Macclesfield after vociferously showing his anger against a free kick that was not awarded. Di Canio’s most notable disrepute came in his playing career in Italy.

A known Fascista, Di Canio has been banned and fined for delivering the Roman Salute to Lazio fans in his time playing for the Rome-based club on a couple of occasions. Politics is always something that Di Canio has felt quite emotionally involved in.

With that said Di Canio does demonstrate a law-abiding nature. Whilst at West Ham he famously stopped himself from scoring as Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was injured in front of his own goal – instead opting to catch the ball so Gerrard could be treated.

It is fair to say that Di Canio has had a very fruitful and colourful career on the pitch and in the dugout. He does bring about him an air of passion and he oozes confidence and has the upmost poise in his own ability.

Di Canio insists he is ready but the step up may have come too soon. It would be a shame to see him rush to be awarded the Reading hot seat just for the sake of it but with that particular job would be a lightened sense of pressure.

Despite Reading’s precarious position, relegation under Di Canio’s tenure would allow for him to construct a side worthy of promotion next season. If he did manage to keep Reading up, it’s a sure thing that everyone at the club would be treated to pizza by the legend himself.

On the day after one of the most controversial Champions League matches in recent years, Danny Welbeck played instead of Wayne Rooney in one of the biggest games in his short but glittering career.

The Salford born youngster has matured massively since his debut for Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad and has never looked back. He made his England debut 24 months ago in the 1-1 draw with Ghana and scored his first international goal against Belgium in June 2012.

Welbeck has scored some pivotal and important goals for The Red Devils as well – including the opening goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium.

The forward is Manchester born and breed and without even realizing it, he is special in more ways than one. In the past decade it is fair to proclaim that the 22 year-old is perhaps the only English striker to come through the ranks of a ‘top club’ and ultimately earn his crust at the club that nurtured him.

Wayne Rooney is perhaps the only other English striker you could dare to mention in the same mould as Welbeck. However, he has played Premier League football for United since 2004 so it quashes that debate.

The likes of Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Daniel Sturridge, Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll all started their careers at ‘smaller clubs’. So who does that leave? One player worth mentioning is Theo Walcott.

Although the Arsenal forward did ply his trade at Southampton he has been at Arsenal since the ripe age of 16 so the 23 year old is the closest player to Welbeck in terms of club nurture and loyalty.

The lightning-quick Arsenal forward has been in unbelievable form for the Gunners and is widely considered an out-and-out striker by his peers, pundits and fans alike.

In terms of the national squad it is a clear indication the bigger clubs in England rely far too heavily on player transfers. Whether that’s the manager’s decision or from board level, it varies from club to club. The truth is the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool and to some extent Everton are not doing enough for young English strikers.

Since the Premier League’s inauguration in 1992, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen are the only two star Premier League strikers who have came through the youth ranks and cemented a first team spot. Both did eventually move on to other clubs but they were both successful at Liverpool.

England have always relied heavily on their strike force but very rarely have they been producing the goods at a big side, say for example Arsenal.

It’s impossible to tell what the future holds – in any walk of life let alone football. One thing that is guaranteed is that it’s hard to see any of the ‘big clubs’ developing the next Fowler, Owen or Welbeck.

Perhaps strikers are better off developing their footballing skills elsewhere before making a move to England’s elite. It didn’t seem to do the likes of Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Defoe or Bent any harm.

One thing that is for sure if Welbeck helps United win the Premier League this season, it will be his coaches and managers from United’s youth setup that will give him the biggest plaudits.