Modern footballers are widely seen as a little bit on the soft side. Gone are the days of not letting an opponent know you’ve been hurt and really taking the pride of victory seriously, with stars nowadays almost good enough to win Oscars for their acting abilities and many so far detached from the real fans that they’re virtually an alien race.
Okay, the standard of some stars’ technique may be far superior nowadays and the sport has come on a long way, but the lack of real warriors is something that the beautiful game misses, with commitment and heart just as important as technical ability. However, one man still shows this, with his chest-thumping, all-action, up and at ‘em style making him a bit of a throwback.
We’re of course talking about England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, who really does sum up English football. And former Wimbledon player Ray Lewington, speaking exclusively to Kevin Clarke, winner of the Carlsberg People’s Pundit, believes that ‘Wazza’ would have been able to cut it in his era of the ‘Crazy Gang’ – widely seen as the ‘hardest’ team ever to have played the game:
“I think Wayne Rooney would have been good. At least he’d give back to them what they give to him!” He said.
“There would have been plenty of stick going round that’s for sure. But I see Wayne as one who could give some back as well. They were a tough group to play for, Wally Downes and co, tough boys, they’d knock you down as soon as you come in to let you know they’re in charge.
“Tough players but tremendous fun and good players as well, really good players.”
Interview conducted for talkSPORT by Kevin Clarke, Carlsberg People’s Pundit Winner. The Carlsberg Fan Squad are all about making football better for fans, that’s why if Carlsberg did pundits they’d be fans like Kevin. Carlsberg are the official beer of the England Team, follow them at @CarlsbergFooty.
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