Apparently Ledders has said in an interview that he would like to play for England again. Personally he should make sure he plays his 20 games for Spurs before thinking about internationals. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15784192.stm Thoughts?
I appreciate his ambition, but it just shouldn't be a consideration now. Players with far less extensive injury problems have quit the international scene because of them and King should follow suit. Unfortunate and regrettable, but unavoidable.
It says he has only played 7 games this season - we have played 10 league matches, he's only missed 1 hasn't he?
If it's what he wants then best of luck to him, just hope he doesn't pick up another injury from it should he get selected again. Can't blame a man for wanting to represent his country.
Now it seems that the national team is actually getting some young blood into it, it seems a hopeful statement more than anything else.
TBH I'd be tempted to put into his new contract, if he's offered one, a clause saying "no mid-season international games" or, since tournaments would also be unlikely to work for him either, to just retire from international football altogether. Not sure if you can actually do that though. Anyway - some agreement should be reached whereby he officially retires from England. SAF has managed to make players retire from the international game with far, far less justification than Ledley has.
None of them are better than a fit Ledley though, don't think they ever will be. Such a shame he's been troubled with injuries, him more so than anyone in our team could have been given the "world class" tag had he stayed fit I feel, really is such a brilliant defender, we'll never be able to replace him out right quality wise.
What you say is true enough,but with Jones, Smalling and still Terry(still don't know why) preferred,it is highly unlikely that he will be considered even he makes himself available.
would rather he retire personally. However, if fit King pisses all over any of the other defenders mentioned in this thread. Its true. Cahill or Jagielka offer more? Do me a favour. Terry and Rio, hahaha. You can bet that with King's statement Capello will be checking in on his fitness at the end of the season. Defenders like that do not grow on trees and if you have an eligible one for your team then you are a moron to pass it up
Still easily the best centre back in England when fit. I can't see Capello bringing him back into the fold though.
The pace of the game doesn't affect Ledley, he's still quick on his feet (especially for a CB) and he reads the game better than most to be able to anticipate the opposition attack's movement, the only problem will be the short time span between games.
He has been a great servant to the club. But equally, the club has been very patient with his well documented problems. Of course, the majority of ambitious players want to represent their country. However, in this case, I agree with the OP. He owes his primary loyalty to Spurs.
I wonder how Robben actually felt, he was yards infront of any defenders and one-on-one with the keeper, then within a matter of seconds the ball had left his feet! Ledley, you sir, are a legend. If March comes and he hasen't received a new contract offer, I'm making a banner to take down WHL demanding it be given. The best English centre back by a god damn mile! It's practically a sin to not offer him a new contract!
Yeah it's a fair point mate and that's why I can appreciate if Capello decides not to take him even if he has a blinder of a season. I sound like a tape on replay when I say this but it really is a massive shame such an amazing centre back is plagued by a horrible injury. It's frightening to think where'd be now had he stayed fit, I'd like to think he'd have stayed loyal anyway but if he'd stayed injury free he'd have walked into any teams back four and I genuinely mean that.
Yeah I'm all for choosing the younger lads mate. We've seen the same team for the last few tournaments now and they've continued to unimpress us all. Realistically I'd like to see the starting line up at the Euros be: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Terry (though I'd have King any day, it won't happen ), Cole Parker, Jones, Walcott, Wilshere, Young, Bent? The striker may be a tough one to call and perhaps we'll need to wait til the end of the season to see who deserves it. Yet I have that feeling that Capello will just select the same typical sh*t that's won us nothing so far and play the likes of Johnson, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard and it wouldn't surprise me if he begged Heskey and Carragher to come out of international retirement
