Following Ben Foster’s recent sabbatical from England duties, West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green looks set to become the latest goalkeeper to retire from international football. With Paul Robinson also long retired and David James seemingly past his best, England look set for a shortage of experienced goalkeepers for the moment. But these are goalkeepers who, in the most part, have turned their backs on the honour or representing their country out of choice. Rather than be understudy to Joe Hart and fight their way back into the team they have chosen to concentrate on club football. Yet rather than move on and focus on future talent, the FA seems worried at the lack of goalkeepers available to them.
Most players dream of representing their country but the likes of Foster, Green and Robinson have turned their noses up at the chance. Whilst the large number of friendly international fixtures have devalued the meaning of an England cap, it should still remain an honour for any player. Similarly, a call-up to the squad offers the chance to train within the international set-up with different players and can only be good for development. An interesting comparison can be drawn with current World Champions Spain where the both Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes have had to wait behind 119-cap veteran Iker Casillas, yet are happy to be part of the squad.
But Robert Green has experienced the darker side to the England goalkeeping jersey. After a high-profile error in last summer’s World Cup against the USA, Green was heavily criticised and made a scapegoat for England’s disappointing draw. The pressure of an increasingly volatile press and fan-base has made it a difficult job. But this is no excuse to shy away from the opportunity.
However, since choosing to focus on club football over England, Paul Robinson has discovered the form that earned him his first cap in February 2003. Perhaps Green will hope for a similar improvement in his fortunes.
But the England set-up should not be reliant on players who don’t appreciate the honour of representing their country. Rather than hope they return, Fabio Capello should instead look to nurture the talented goalkeepers that are coming through the ranks. Fulham reserve David Stockdale has already featured in recent squads, whilst youngsters Joe Lewis and Fraser Forster are growing in reputation. Likewise, more experienced performers such as Steve Harper and Chris Kirkland are yet to come under consideration by Capello.
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Yes, travelling all over the World for sometimes meaningless internationals can disrupt a player’s season, but this is surely all part of the sacrifice in choosing to play a sport professionally. It is, however, disappointing that the majority of modern-day professionals favour club football over internationals and perhaps this is part of the reason for England’s current poor form.
