Will Carra Quit England?

Filed in archive England on July 9, 2007

Interesting news recently that Jamie Carragher may be about to quit playing for England. Interesting for the following reasons:

1. It reflects the growing trend for players - especially one-club players like Carra and Scholes - to hang up their international boots early to focus on and prolong their domestic careers. Carragher is only 29, so his lack of England enthusiasm can't be due to old age, more likely a surplus of frustration. For obvious reasons this seems to be the case with players who are constantly being played out of position at international level and therefore not enjoying their football as much. How much fun could Scholes have been having at left mid? Not much.

2. He may not be first choice, but Carra is still important and useful to Steve McClaren, so the England gaffer will inevitably try and talk the Liverpool man out of it. This will be a great test of McClaren's less than legendary man-management and motivational skills. Basically does he have the charisma to change JC's mind. Flash that fake smile nice and wide Steve.

3. I'm fascinated by how utility men always end up being hurt by their versatility. There's no doubt Carragher would have played more games for England in his favoured centre of defence position had he not spent so much time filling in at right back while we await the arrival of a decent Gary Neville replacement. (Maybe Micah Richards?) Even at Liverpool it took Carra a few years to cement his favourite position. If he hadn't been an option at right and left back he might have established himself as a top-class central defender for Liverpool at a younger age, a bit like John Terry did at Chelsea.

4. I'm equally fascinated by the mentality of non first-team players. I had a couple of extended spells as a substitute and I remember being constantly impatient and frustrated. Would that feeling be exacerbated at international level, or is it an honor just to be involved? If I bump into Jermaine Jenas I'll ask him.