London: Steven Gerrard has rejected Patrick Vieira’s claim that young English players lack the pride and hunger to represent their country and pointed to a new-found strength in depth within the national set-up which is serving to “raise performances” under Roy Hodgson.
Vieira, now Manchester City’s football development executive, had pointed to a lack of coaching quality as one explanation for why England “don’t produce enough talent” and suggested young players “are not as proud as they used to be”, citing the number of them who withdraw from international duty through injury between the ages of 16 and 21.
Yet Gerrard, who was set to gain his 99th cap in Tuesday evening’s awkward World Cup qualifier against Poland, insisted he has seen no evidence to back up the Frenchman’s assertion.
“It surprised me to read that and the impression I get, certainly from seeing the young players every day at Liverpool, is that they’re desperate to get into this set-up,” said the England captain.
Source: http://gulfnews.com