Written by: Chris Higham


BBC Sport – Frank Lampard pulls out of England squad due to illness.

Let me start by explaining that I am not, and never have been , a Frank Lampard fan. I think he’s overrated, a horrible ball striker, and without a level of talent that allows him to play the position for his club and country. However, he does one thing really well. He scores goals, which makes him valuable to a degree.

I have also developed a healthy disrespect for many of the England players and staff following last year’s appalling showing in South Africa at the 2010 World Cup. Tepid performances lacking in effort and passion, coupled with an inferiority in talent led to a miserable tournament for all concerned. It’s with that in mind that I advocated one of two things: either get rid of Capello or drop the older players and bring in the younger generation and go for broke in 2014.

Along with all of the premature retirements, most notably Ben Foster, Paul Robinson and Jamie Carragher, it appears to me that our players no longer care about playing for their country. Recently retired Paul Scholes was a member of that group too. Now today, we hear that Lampard has ” a sore throat” and can’t play in the friendly against The Netherlands this week. Are you freakin’ kidding me. This is a professional athlete who hasn’t even played a full game this season yet and he’s already crying off. We haven’t even started the regular season !

If I was Capello, I’d make it clear that we can do without his services now and move forward to the younger players who it seems are much more prepared to go to battle for their country than some of these overrated veterans.

Hmmm. Think I’ll call in sick tomorrow. I think I have a sore throat coming on….

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