The fact that Terry came back so quickly after a knee injury (a big risk considering how important he is to Chelsea) and is willing to lead England out for a meaningless friendly is worth respecting. It’s an even bigger deal that Frank Lampard is willing to go one step further and take painkilling injections for his broken toe so he can play for England.
Chelsea, and Chelsea fans, should be proud to have these players pulling on the blue shirt. And while I’m not big fans of the two (dammit, it’s the United bias), I respect them for showing so much dedication for England as well.
While we’re at it, spare a thought for David Beckham, who played 90 minutes on Saturday with a strained ankle, flew over to play for England and will fly back tomorrow for a game for LA Galaxy, back in the US.
In terms of dedication and commitment, these players are true troopers. No wonder then that Chelsea are nearly unstoppable, or that Beckham is so well respected by teammates and his managers.
But what about the losers? Take Liverpool’s case, or more specifically, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Before I say anything else, let me assure you that I think both of them are one of the best in their respective positions in the Premiership, both players live and breathe Liverpool and it is doubtful that they can ever be replaced at Liverpool either.
However, Jamie Carragher’s ‘retirement’ from the England cause, because he wasn’t getting enough playing time, is a bit pathetic and smacks of arrogance. Sure, sue me because I don’t represent my country at the international level in football, so maybe I don’t understand who hard it must be to not be first-choice.
But give me a fuckin’ break – you quit international football because the new boss isn’t giving you enough playing time? You choose to give up playing for your country because you couldn’t be arsed to try hard enough to rise above your competition?
Liverpool will be better off – Carragher will be better rested, won’t kill himself over the summer and as a result Liverpool will benefit from a fresher central defender and vice-captain. But seen in context of what a player does for his country, it’s selfish and arrogant.
And then there’s Captain Fantastic, Mr Steven Gerrard, the man who captains Liverpool and someone who got my vote for England captain. What’s he doing? He’s taking a breather even though he was fit enough to play 90 minutes for Liverpool (the same game Lampard and Terry played 90 minutes as well) and will ‘rest’ because of his injury.
If you take this in context with what Terry and especially Lampard are doing, and even in context of how hard David Beckham’s pushing himself, it’s pathetic. And it makes me wonder – who do you want as captain: a player who gives 200% every single time (Beckham) and thinks it’s an honour to represent your country when he would be better off resting (Terry) or a player who turns down a 45 minute stint with his England teammates (which would, if anything, give them match practice together and improve their chances, however slightly, of qualifying) because he’s being ‘careful’ with an injury?
In fairness, Gerrard is looking after himself and Carragher feels wronged (he thinks he’s better than Rio and Terry, which quite frankly isn’t his decision to make), so maybe we shouldn’t blame them.
But to see the way Beckham came back into the team with dignity after being dropped, to see Terry take a risk by returning into the England fold, to see Owen time and time again rush back from injury to play for England and to see Lampard play through injury for England…
Liverpool’s super-duo just doesn’t measure up in the ‘heart’ stakes, do they?
David i love english football the crack the atmosphere and the players i believe the best footbaler exists in the premiership Kaka, Ronaldinho, David Villa great players but they were born to play footy playing in the premiership takes years of practice and i have alot of respect for foreign players who are succesful in the EPL such as Ronald Henry, Tevez and hopefully Torres lol
Scholes retired from international football while he was first choice in midfield. Very different from throwing your toys out of the pram and having a strop ala Carra. While I agree he’s been woefully under used (how is Brown ahead of him?) he should have the guts to prove the manager wrong.
That was a gem by BLUE BLOKE but it has also been repeted by just about all the other United fans including Ahmed,
NOW listen up folks i shall say this only once Scholes Retired from international Football because he WAS NO LONGER being played in the center i.e he spat his dummy out even though he was getting a game (all be it on the left)
so all the things you have accused Carra of (they are wrong by the way,i suggest you listen to his rant on Talksport) are exactly the reason the little ginger retired.
Fuck me and you call yourselves football fans.
Skamp, I shall say this only once, what your point? You have proved Bilal a div and now proving yourself one too by trying to differentiate between scholes and carra. If anything, it’s the coward who gives up because the position is not to his liking and not the one who is being ignored and thus humiliated every time he turns up. What an absolute plank, but then you are a manc, what else is there to be expected.
Frank you plank,how the hell have you managed to come to that conclusion ?
How in anyway was my pointing out that it was the Ginger midget who walked away and spat his dummy out in anyway me sticking up for scholes ?
And how the fuck can you come to the conclusion that i am a manc when i have bashed a scum player is beyond my understanding of the English language.
Good god take yourself back to school.
Well this is one topic that seems to have the desired effected of creating plenty of arguments.
I can’t see what the issue is over Carragher retiring from the England team, he’s 29, is overlooked for two positions he can play well in, for Brown who imo is not at the same level and King who has been on and off the treatment table almost as much as the previous England stalwart Darren Anderton.
In the long run Carraghers decision will benefit Liverpool in extending his club career and should give up and coming players such as Richards a chance in the England team, thats as long as we get an England manager who is afraid to be his own man and not worry all the time over what the press is going to say.
As for Gerrard, its a bloody friendly, the only reason he played against Chelsea was because its one of the biggest games of the season in the premiership, there’s no point risking him in a friendly when we’ve got much more important qualifiers coming up. Yes i know Lampard has been playing for Chelsea with a similar injury but its down to the manager if he is going to play and not necessarily the player. Fact is Rafa is looking to leave Gerrard out of the next two Liverpool games to recover!
I don’t think Gerrard was wrong in sitting, and although I hate the scousers, he probably made the right decision. But, Gerrard is Vice Captain, one of the best players on the squad, and the match was against Germany, and I personally think he should have been in there.
A note: the Liverpool fans have finally realized that winning the CL means shit compared to not ending the league title drought for 17 years, as they have stopped defending themselves altogether.
To whomever said Gerrard was the best at his position in the world: I want whatever you are on, because Rafa doesn’t even know what Gerrard’s position is, so I doubt you do either. And for any sake, we’ll say central midfielder, he is NOT first choice for a World XI. Ronaldo, however, IS for a winger.
Cheers to my injured Blues bringing it to the Germans all game. If you watched closely, a lot of the heart and skill in that game was on display by my beloved skipper Terry, Lamps, SWP and Joe Cole. Props to them and the other blokes except Robinson who showed up.