Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher - England's utility man - World Cup 2006
squad no. 15

club: Liverpool
position: Centre Half
age: 28
caps: 25
goals:

Jamie Carragher is another stalwart of the English game who we are not sure has the ability to really cut it at international level.

Can do an average job in several different positions and will surely see action if we progress to the latter stages. Certainly looks a better bet than Owen Hargreaves as the utility man.

Football England Verdict
Rating: 4.25

For all his consistent work for Liverpool this guy was not meant to play international football. He lacks pace and is clumsy in possession.
It would have been difficult for Sven to leave him behind but he had nothing to offer when it came down to it.

Portugal 0-0.
Came off the bench specifically to take a penalty and then saw it saved after being made to re-take it. Summed up the whole shoddy campaign really.

Ecuador 1-0.
Football England rating: 4
Came on to shore things up but did not look comfortable in the right back role.

Sweden 2-2.
Football England rating: 4
Has nothing to offer going forward, is slow and appears to lack confidence in himself at this level. So he should, he isn't very good.

Trinidad 2-0.
Football England rating: 5
I find it painful watching Carragher, he is so limited.
As emergency full back he had the easiest job, and the most room, on the pitch yet he continued to turn inside and knock the ball to the centre halves rather than take any responsibility himself.
The performance was transformed when Beckham took over and started passing the ball forward from full back.

Paraguay 1-0.
I wonder what he thought when Hargreaves got the nod above him as a late sub? Kept on the bench.

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