Rooney can meet the highest expectations

Will he pick Wayne Rooney? That will be the question every time Sven Goran Eriksson names an England selection this year. February, when England play Australia, may be too early for a debut, but, if Rooney continues to perform as he has, a couple of significant records are heading his way.

To become England's youngest representative in the 131 years of international football, "The Kid" needs to be capped by 3 July, which would supersede James Prinsep, of Clapham Rovers, who played in 1879 aged 17 years 245 days. Of more interest on Merseyside is Michael Owen's record as England's youngest goalscorer. Any international goal this year would claim that one for Everton. Prinsep is also the youngest FA Cup finalist. Should Everton reach Cardiff that honour would be Rooney's as well. Of course, these records are also available to the even younger James Milner of Leeds United.

Rooney aside, with no major international championships, the attention will be on the club game in 2003. Unfortunately the spotlight is unlikely to penetrate into its murkiest reaches. The confirmation that the Football Association's Compliance Unit exists is encouraging but past precedent (George Graham was snared by the Inland Revenue and the Danish media, not the FA) suggests those with their hands in the till will elude capture.

The mis-management which has resulted in the bitter-sweet combination of beautiful football and bankrupt clubs can thus be expected to continue. The technical standard of the English leagues may never have been higher, but nor have the debts.

So, coming soon, to a club near you, the administrators. Eventually, they will fail to find a new buyer and the first English League club since Maidstone United, in 1992, will go bust. This could be the year. As Fiorentina, Airdrieonians and Clydebank discovered last year, it can happen. The Stones' Achilles' heel was not owning their own ground, so the likes of Wimbledon are especially vulnerable. The progress, financially and geographically, of "Franchise FC", will be closely watched.

After a traumatic year at the FA, so will be the £750m rebuilding of Wembley and the arguably more crucial £30m construction of the National Football Centre. Due for completion in August, it is currently mothballed while the Premier League, having successfully destabilised the governing body, seeks to confirm its primacy.

The FA will seek solace in the international arena where England's prospects of avoiding a November Euro 2004 play-off hinge on the home and away ties with Turkey in April and October. For Wales, visiting Italy and hosting Yugoslavia in the autumn are the key fixtures. The Scots need springtime wins to revive a faltering campaign.

By then the Champions' League will be nearing its denouement. Arsenal and Manchester United should reach the knock-out stages, from where victory is possible, but the Spanish still seem stronger.

Domestically, Arsenal are deservedly favourites. This observer will stay with them but discounts Manchester United with reluctance and has a sneaking feeling that Chelsea could yet surprise us all.

Predictions: Champions: Arsenal. Champions' League: Valencia. England and Wales to qualify for Euro 2004 via play-offs. Rooney to become England's youngest international.