Back in the day, there was nobody more professional than Jamie Carragher.
The former Liverpool centre-half was the epitome of going about one’s job industriously and doing the talking on the pitch.
So it’s no shock to learn that he’s displeased with the comments from a pair or full-backs this week, namely Jose Enrique and Rafael.
Enrique came out in the Spanish press complaining about being alienated by manager Brendan Rodgers, along with teammates Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini, and that he wanted to fight for his place at Anfield.
Carragher, in his Daily Mail column, suggests that his former teammate is simply content to remain on the Reds bench and continue to collect the more handsome pay packet.
“Enrique, who has played just 12 Premier League games in the past two seasons having been the club’s first-choice left back in the previous two campaigns, said he wanted to fight for his place. He added that he had looked to Spain for a move but economic conditions make it difficult.
“That translates as: I’m staying because no-one in Spain can afford me and I don’t care if I don’t play (just like last season) because I’m waiting to go on a free next summer when my contract expires.
“I am sure there are clubs in England or Spain who would want him for less money. It is about whether he really has the hunger to play even if it means a pay cut.”
And Rafael, who moved to Lyon last month, has also come in for criticism from the Sky Sports pundit for suggesting that he was treated unfairly by Louis van Gaal because the manager has it in for Brazilians.
“Maybe Van Gaal just realised that Rafael never really trained on and was often reckless, finding himself cautioned for fouls after being caught out of position.
“Making those calls is Van Gaal’s job and if he rated him more highly he would not have played Antonio Valencia — traditionally a winger — ahead of Rafael for most of last season whether he was from Brazil or Bury.
“With lots more deals coming in the next fortnight, we will no doubt hear more whining and moaning. Wouldn’t it be nice for once to hear a player say he did not do enough or was not good enough rather than blaming the manager?”
Carra has spoken!
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