I can understand Cahill retiring. He is past his prime and didnt get a look in at the World Cup. But surprised Vardy hung up his boots so early. If Kane gets injured, who the hell else does England have to lead the line? Rashford, maybe?
He's always gonna play second fiddle to Kane though. Turning up every international weekend knowing you're not going to be playing must be a bugger!
Sturridge is still only 28. If he can stay fit for more than 5 minutes ( yes, I know!) he’s the most natural goalscorer at Southgate’s disposal. Otherwise....Welbeck, Abraham, Wilson?....
Vardy is 31 and hasn't been used to his best for England - spent most of his England career on the left wing and then when he does play as a striker, to run around aimlessly by himself. Tbh I am surprised that he has left the door open considering that Southgate prefers to play a converted winger that has fallen over more time then he has had shots on target in his obvious position. Good for us at least as apparently he is recording PBs for his sprints in training and is reaching his peak as a player - he started playing professionally in his mid 20's so can't really be measured against other players his age and still has miles in the tank. Maybe that long term contract that we signed him up for isn't as daft as I originally thought although he would have more difficultly shaking off injuries given his age, he has never had an major injury - aside from a wrist injury that caused him to wear a cast for a long while that I think coincided with his wife going in the I'm a Celebrity jungle... As for England, Southgate would probably do something daft like play Sterling as a striker rather then grow some balls and pick someone like Callum Wilson, Andre Gray or Glenn Murray. Hopefully Ings will come good as well but otherwise every English striker is second or third choice for their club.
Surely the point is, you don't decide when to give up on international football? Either the coaches do, or your body does. Rickie Lambert was older than either Vardy or Cahill when he scored on his England debut. Tragically, he then signed for Liverpool and ****canned his career.
Surprised Vardy has stepped down, still think he has more to give to the side and is the only striker after Kane who can be relied upon fitness wise. We really don’t have many options outside of Kane now. If Sturridge can remain fit then he’d be in the squad but that’s a big ****ing if. Welbeck does ok for England but is dogshit at club level. Abraham ain’t good enough yet. Maybe Rashford can play more centrally? I only ever really see him play as a wide forward but probably could feature more centrally if need be.
Different times, different game, different lifestyles, different priorities, different attitudes, different pressures, different egos, different press, different lots of things.
They haven't even retired. They've "stepped aside, leaving the door open". Basically they want some other mugs to get through the qualifiers, so they can nick their places for the tournament. Pair of twats. If you want to retire, then just do it. Nobody would question that. Kane and Rashford is fine, but after that it's a bit of a struggle. Walnut seems to have picked up since he left the Goons, but he's not really an out-and-out striker. Andre Gray? He's played for England at semi-pro. Has anyone ever done both? Callum Wilson? Charlie Austin? Motivation for a youngster to step up and make a mark.
That is one way of looking at it I suppose. Another way is literally as stated "we are here if you are desperate" which looking at who England have to choose from is likely - the only Englishmen who starting as strikers last week were Kane, Gray, Deeney, Wilson, Murray and Ings. I think Alan Smith and Steve Guppy are the only players that have played semi-pro and full international. Andre Gray could be the first ever player to have a cap at the now branded England C team and the full A team if Southgate doesn't pussy out at picking a Watford player over a Liverpool or Arsenal benchwarmer. As for Rashford, he has the advantage of playing almost exclusively as a winger at Man Utd - which is why Southgate will play him out of position a la Sterling.
I think they have mate. I think they are saying they would help out in a pinch, but other than that, think of other people first. Vardy and Cahill weren't starters in the last tournament, no reason to think they would be in future tournaments. Cahill isnt even a starter for his club. I doubt we will see either of them in an England jersey again, especially not Cahill. Possibly Vardy if Kane is out with a long term injury when the next tournament comes around, possibly.....but thats unlikely.
I think that Southgate will just count it as retirement. He should, too. Starting for clubs doesn't seem that important to him, though. He took ****ing Welbeck, FFS! I think he likes to keep as many of the squad the same as he can, especially the core players. There's probably a few places up for grabs and a creative midfielder should take at least one. He needs more balance. Time will tell if he thinks the same thing.
Here is the latest England squad: Goalkeepers: Alex McCarthy (Southampton), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jack Butland (Stoke City) Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), John Stones (Manchester City), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United) Midfielders: Dele (Tottenham Hotspur), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) As expected Southgate has no balls to pick anyone new up front.
