Carrick – Too Old for England?

Something was seriously amiss in the midfield area, namely creativity.

With a man advantage for most of the second half Gareth Southgate`s side were screaming out for somebody who could sit on the ball, keep possession but also get the side moving forward in a coherent fashion – Michael Carrick.

However, it appears that Carrick`s time on the international stage has come to an end, that at 35-years-of-age, he has had his time.

Speaking to the media, Southgate has had this to say about the Manchester United midfielder and his chances of pulling on an England shirt again,

“Michael is a super player, I really like him. But how will we ever develop as a team if we head back that way? He has some qualities we don`t currently have.

“Yet I think we have to look forward. To develop players so they are able to come to games like France and do the things he has been able to do.”

I wonder what a certain Italian, Andrea Pirlo, would have to say on the subject?