Scholes Paul Scholes announces his retirement from international football??? Just been announced on Sky Sports News
Paul Scholes has sensationally retired from international football after representing England in Euro 2004. The Manchester United midfielder has been an automatic choice for his country and ended his goal drought with a header during the win against Croatia. Scholes made his full international debut against Italy in Le Tournoi, scoring and setting up a goal for Ian Wright in a performance that offered a glimpse of his precocious talents. He had earlier made his international bow at his home ground Old Trafford, against South Africa. "This is a decision I have not taken lightly," he told United's official website. "I have been considering retiring from international football for a while now. "I started my England career in 1997 and have enjoyed seven years of great football, playing in the best competitions, with some of the best players, under the best managers." Scholes has been under pressure for his place, although always a favourite of Sven Goran Eriksson's, with Frank Lampard's emergence as a top class talent a key factor. "Euro 2004 was fantastic but, afterwards, I felt the time was right for myself and my family to make it my last England appearance," he added. The 29-year-old was substituted during the penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal that ended England's run in the competition
Re: Re: Scholes still a bit of a surprise tho... Spose it might create chances for players hanging on the fringes of the squad... wright-phillips, hargreaves, joe cole, dyer etc
Re: Re: Re: Scholes none of those are as technically gifted as scholes though are they....that's why they're on the fringes and not in the team... Scott Parker
Re: Re: Re: Re: Scholes True... but scholes has not been as effective recently... he arguably improved in euro 2004... but if we cant replace him then its a sorry state of affairs... Lampard has staked the best claim I reckon
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scholes Lampard is the natural successor I agree. I think Scholes was jumping before he was pushed. Still leaves us short of a left-sided player.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scholes Bout time we gave someone a good run on the left side and not the second 45 minutes in a meaningless friendly... cole, thompson and even wright-phillips (although right footed... but trevor sinclair did ok for a while) could be options.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scholes wright-phillips is a quality little player. Just shows how they come through. When Royle was at man city i didn't think he was gonna make it at the highest level - he looked too lightweight. but now he's knocking on the door of the england team.
I agree he jumped before he was pushed. He's gone out on his own terms which you have to respect. We'll be fine without him. With Parker, Gerrard, Lampard etc we have a good few options in the centre, but Benson make a good point about the left side. Although we have left footed players who can cope there (Bridges, Cole) they aren't strictly midfielders. Although it's hard to take too seriously. I mean, how many players have 'retired' to suddenly show back up at a later date? :tut:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scholes Agreed... I think he could be a useful player in years to come @trancelucer... good final point
He will be playing as a striker for Man City (if he is there) within 2 years, remember my words 20Benson
