Steven Gerrard: We Do Have World Class Players

It’s been another embarrassing World Cup campaign for England, and the pain and disappointment were both clear on all the player’s faces following the 2-1 defeat to Uruguay on Thursday of last week. None more so than on the face of England captain, Steven Gerrard.

Following on from all the criticism and hand-wringing in the days since that result, Gerrard has born the brunt of it and felt moved to speak about how the camp was feeling, amid accusations that England just haven’t got the players to compete seriously at such a high level of international football. He said, “At the moment it’s a very difficult position to fight opinions and accusations, but if I think about the talent that is surrounding me in this group, I would put an argument up against those opinions.

“I think we have got world-class players here and I agree with the manager when he says there are potential world-class players here as well.”

However, while the captain will probably find much agreement in the fact that there are great players in the England squad, nobody will acknowledge the world-class talent at Hodgson’s disposal until it shows itself on the world’s biggest stage.

He continued, “But, my argument won’t be proven right until it’s shown at this level. These tournaments only come around every couple of years so we have to be patient and wait to see if those players can become world-class.

“I think at this moment it’s very difficult for myself and the players to find a lot of positives, but you know when you have been involved in the game for a long time and you look at the bigger picture, things in football can change very quickly as well.”

With just Costa Rica left to play on Tuesday evening, the England squad will be heading home before the weekend and with England’s World Cup bid now officially over, the top-class talent that Liverpool sent to the World Cup in Hodgson’s squad can now be fully-rested and prepared for the assault on four fronts next season.