JAMIE CARRAGHER has heaped praise on the new generation of footballers for shunning the “pampered” stereotype of the game’s stars.
Having slammed the England team for their exit at Euro 2016 four years ago, the former defender now believes players are more in tune with modern society than they have been for decades.
Rashford is one of several players to have impressed Carragher of late
Writing in the Telegraph, Carragher admitted: “I offered my theory as to why we were failing to match the standards of our rivals in Spain, Germany, and France.
“My criticism labelled our academy graduates ‘the pampered generation’.
“I expressed concern about young players being unprepared for life’s psychological, physical and practical challenges, playing on ‘immaculate pitches, in pristine training gear, and having every area of their life run by their agents’.
“I have thought long and hard about those observations recently.
“Now I am not afraid to admit it: I was wrong.
“When I look back upon those words, I realise I fell into the trap of many retired footballers. Every generation believes those who follow have it easier.”
MAKING THEIR MARC
Since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, many major names have made positive headlines.
Carragher named Marcus Rashford’s involvement with FareShare school meals for vulnerable kids as one example of a player making a difference in the community.
Jadon Sancho, Megan Rapinoe, Jordan Henderson and Seamus Coleman were all praised for their willingness to break out the mould.
And the Liverpool legend believes more stars are harnessing social media as a force for good.
He continued: “Allied to the important fact so many of the young English players taking centre-stage have consistently delivered on the pitch – generally immune from criticism for their sporting prowess as they amass Premier League and European honours – they feel empowered, relishing their status as role models in a way we have never witnessed on this scale before.
“The world feels smaller in 2020 because it is so easy to connect digitally and, as a consequence, emotionally.
Tony Cascarino says it’s ‘refreshing’ to see footballers like Jordan Henderson making a contribution to the community
“Twenty years ago, a horrendous incident on the streets of Minneapolis did not resonate so swiftly in Liverpool or Manchester to the point my teammates and I would feel an obligation to deliver a supportive statement.
“Speaking personally, I cannot sit here and write that I would have had the knowledge or boldness to do so.
“Four years ago, I jumped on a bandwagon promoting the idea I was part of the last generation of footballers who had a rapport with the fans he played for. It was nonsense.
“The class of 2020 have shown themselves to be braver and more in tune with the world around them than I was.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
