Former England captain Steven Gerrard says he in some cases “despised” getting on international task and criticizes a lack of success with the 3 Lions on a scarcity of esprit de corps.
Gerrard, 45, won 114 caps and played at 6 major tournaments without reaching a semi-final.
Component of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’, he thinks an England supervisor ought to have been able to play him with Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Manchester United’s Paul Scholes in an effective midfield.
Gerrard, who played his complete career in England with Liverpool prior to a final period at LA Galaxy, states players at the time were as well hesitant to blend with team-mates that played for competing clubs.
Talking as a guest on the Rio Ferdinand Provides podcast , external , Gerrard said: “We were all egotistical losers.
“I view the telly now and I see Jamie Carragher sitting beside Paul Scholes and they look like they have actually been best friends for 20 years.
“And I see Carragher’s relationship with Gary Neville and they appear like they’ve been companions for 20 years. I’m possibly a lot more close and friendly with you [Ferdinand] currently than I ever was when I had fun with you for 15 years [for England]
“So why really did not we link when we were 20, 21, 22, 23 Was it vanity? Was it rivalry?
“It was to the culture within England. We weren’t pleasant or connected. We weren’t a team. We never at any kind of phase became a genuine great, strong team.”