Current QPR boss Harry Redknapp has claimed that English football players would shirk national call ups at his time at Tottenham, it is not clear who the individuals are but following on from the exit from the World Cup with the team seemingly lacking passion and desire to play for their country the question must be asked did they care?
If rumours are to be believed then it is a common occurrence for players to feign injuries to make sure they don’t have to be called up, Redknapp said “They’d come to me 10 days before the game and say Gaffer get me out of the game. I don’t want to play in it”. It is unclear if Redknapp agreed to let the players pull out of international duty or whether he as a manager of a premier league side used it to his own advantage.
Although Redknapp didn’t give any names, current England captain Steven Gerrard has urged Harry to reveal all stating “Harry should name them and embarrass them”. However, it would seem unlikely for Harry to reveal the names of his former players.
It seems that the days of playing for your country has gone, as fans it is club before country for a large majority and perhaps this has influenced the players to seemingly not care about their international duties. Which is poor if it is to be believed.
The passion and desire has gone, footballers apparently love the game as much as the fans, but until they show it many doubters will remain.
