Should, as is expected, Jamie Carragher partner John Terry at the heart of England’s defence against Algeria on Friday it will complete an incredible return for the defender who turned his back on his country in a fit of petulence.
Carragher announced his international retirement in 2007 after failing to secure his position as first choice centre back despite appearing in both the 2004 European Championships and 2006 World Cup.
His form for Liverpool at the time was at its peak but John Terry and Rio Ferdinand were chosen ahead of him for England on a regular basis. When up and coming players were selected ahead of him when one or both of the first choice duo were missing, Carragher decided he’d had enough.
Many England supporters were unhappy with his decision, considering it a snub to the country. Whatever you think of Carragher’s choice, it cannot be denied that his statement in his autobiography (Carra: My Autobiography
) that he put playing for Liverpool ahead of playing for his country was a massive error.
When Fabio Capello asked Carragher to return to the England fold for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa it shocked many commentators and supporters alike. How could Capello consider asking a man who had snubbed his country to come back? The England manager is not one to listen to anyone else when he thinks he is right, however, and Carragher duly accepted the offer.
His reasoning was thus:
“The World Cup and Champions League are the highest levels of football. I’m not getting any younger, we have no Champions League football next season and I am keen to work under Fabio Capello.”
So basically, if Liverpool had qualified for the Champions League he would have turned down a chance at playing in the World Cup. That doesn’t smack of commitment to the England cause, more a man looking at personal ambition and achievement.
There is nothing wrong with that, of course. There isn’t a footballer alive or dead who didn’t think of his own career and look to further it. Yet it must rankle with England supporters that the only reason Carragher accepted Capello’s call was for personal reasons, not for the good of the country he has already said is less important than his club.
Nevertheless, Carragher is now likely to fulfil his dreams and play alongside John Terry in the World Cup thanks to injuries – and only thanks to injuries – to the unfortunate Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King.
Is he up to the job? It’s ironic that Carragher returns to the international duty off the back of his worst season for Liverpool in many years. He’s now 32 and his already questionable mobility and speed is diminished.
Positionally he is fairly sound but in a tournament blessed with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, Carragher will be found wanting. His partner Terry also lacks pace and mobility so what we now have is a pedestrian central defence reliant on positioning and awareness. It’s a dangerous foundation on which England will try to build.
While Carragher’s commitment to England off the field can, quite rightly, be questioned, his commitment during 90 minutes on the pitch cannot. You get the feeling with him that it wouldn’t matter who he was playing for, during the game he will give his usual 100%. That is not a concern.
The unlucky duo of Michael Dawson and Matthew Upson especially will look on unhappily if Capello does choose to partner Carragher with Terry but it will complete an incredible return for the man from Bootle.
Let’s hope it doesn’t turn out to be a disastrous one, for the supporters if not for Carragher himself. One wonders how much sympathy there would be for him should his selection cost England.
