England have to use their thinking caps
STEVEN GERRARD has urged the FA not to waste the knowledge of England’s former stars.
Ex-England captain Gerrard was one of a number of senior players consulted by the governing body in the search for Roy Hodgson’s successor.
And he believes players at all age levels would be lifted by seeing more of their predecessors on the training pitch when they link up with the national team.
“I don’t think they should be forced to be involved but it is a waste on the FA’s behalf if they don’t involve players that have played for England over 100 times or 50, 60, 70 times,” said Gerrard.
“It is a waste for England if people don’t tap into that knowledge and experience.
“I put myself in the kids’ shoes. If you are 16, 18, 21 or if you’re Ross Barkley, Dele Alli and you turn up and play for England, do you not want to see Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand?
“I’d have loved that. I’d have loved to come into the England set-up and have seen Paul Ince, Tony Adams.
“The FA are doing the right thing by tapping into the knowledge of the players but not just the recent players, players that have been there and done it a while ago.
“Alan Shearer, Paul Ince and others. Let’s use these players to make the national team better.”
Gerrard was “frustrated” watching on as England were knocked out of Euro 2016 by Iceland but still believes the squad has ability and feels new manager Sam Allardyce is the right man to change the psychological problems.
He said: “The talent is there. I’m not putting it down to, ‘We went out of that tournament because we haven’t got the talent’. I do believe it is psychological. “The appointment of Sam is a very good one because he is the best out there that can help with that. “Let’s hope he is the man that can take that pressure and fear away from the players and let them go and play.” Gerrard’s life now is on the west coast of the USA and he insists Major League Soccer can be a place where careers are reborn rather than a graveyard for ailing stars. The LA Galaxy midfielder moved to the USA last summer when he finally brought an end to his 17-year Liverpool career. Gerrard, 36, is unsure about his future as his contract with the American club ends at the end of their current season in November and there have been no talks on a new deal yet.
But, although he may not stay beyond his current deal, he feels the MLS could be a path to first-team football for those struggling to make it in the Premier League.
Gerrard said: “Every individual is different. What I see in England is that some players around the age of, say, 17 to 21 are basically stuck because of the standard of the Premier League.
“The level is so good and you have to move world-class players out of position to get your breakthrough.
“Players seem to drop down levels in England – some you never hear about and some bounce back.
“This is a good environment and level for European kids to come, play regularly and test themselves because it is a very fit level.”