VARDY AND CAHILL CALL TIME ON ENGLAND
ENGLAND’s Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill have effectively ended their international careers. The pair, who played in England’s euphoric World Cup campaign, have made clear they would answer Gareth southgate’s call in the event of an injury crisis.
But after winning 87 caps between them, 31-year-old Leicester striker Vardy and Chelsea defender Cahill, 32, have, for all intents and purposes, retired from international football.
Last week Sportsmail revealed Cahill’s place in southgate’s squad for next month’s games against spain and switzerland was in jeopardy, with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez in line to take his place.
With Cahill absent, Manchester United left back Luke shaw could get a call-up when southgate names his squad tomorrow after an impressive start to the season.
West Ham’s Declan Rice, who has played for Republic of Ireland, is another option at centre back.
Vardy’s decision to walk away from England comes as a shock. The Leicester striker, who has made 26 appearances for his country, has become a mainstay of the squad since 2015 — playing at Euro 2016 and this summer’s World Cup.
His pace and tenacity, particularly when coming off the bench, have proved valuable assets for southgate but Vardy says the time is right for him to quit.
He spoke to southgate about the possibility of international retirement earlier this summer before confirming his decision to the England boss this month.
The pull of spending more time with his family — as well as his diminishing role for England — is understood to have played a key role in his decision.
‘To be honest with you, this has been on my mind for a while,’ Vardy told the Guardian.
‘I’m not getting any younger and you can see, to be fair to the gaffer, he wants to make it more youthful, which obviously had its benefits during the World Cup.
‘so I just said to Gareth that I think it’s probably best from now on, especially with the way he wants to go, to bring youngsters in who he thinks have got the ability and start nurturing them into international football.
‘I think (the prospect of travelling and being on the bench) had an impact. When you get selected, you want to be playing. If you’re playing week in, week out for your club, you want to be going to England to play as well.
‘I explained it all to Gareth and he was fine with my decision. He said that he felt I still had a lot to offer and we’ve not shut the door completely. If the worst came to happen and everyone was injured, then obviously I wouldn’t say no.’
In confirming his decision to step away from international football, Chelsea star Cahill said: ‘ In terms of my international future, it is time I take a step back and now I feel it is the right moment.
‘I have been hugely proud of what I have achieved, in terms of over 60 caps and I have captained my country on a few occasions which has been a huge honour and something I have been really proud of in my career.
‘such is my relationship with the manager that he was fantastic and at the end of the tournament I had a good chat with him. He could see where I was coming from, he understood the situation. At the same time we didn’t want to shut the door.’
Cahill scored five goals in 61 appearances for England, having made his debut in 2010, and captained the side on several occasions.
He made one appearance at the World Cup, starting England’s 1-0 group stage defeat by Belgium.
southgate is now deciding who he will choose to replace Vardy in his squad for England’s inaugural UEFA Nations League game against spain on saturday week and the friendly against switzerland three days later.
Borussia Dortmund youngster Jadon sancho is on the England manager’s radar, as is Ryan sessegnon, although
Sportsmail understands southgate intends to keep the Fulham forward in the Under 21s for the time being.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is another who southgate believes has a big future with England.