Published: Today at 15:32
STEVEN GERRARD will captain England at Euro 2012.
The Liverpool skipper, 31, was today handed the armband by new Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson.
Former Reds boss Hodgson said: "In my opinion, he's the man who merits this award... this distinction.
"I know him as a player, as a person and how committed he is to the England cause.
"He was delighted last night when I told him of my decision.
"I will be counting on him to help me as much as he possibly can to build the type of team unity and enviroment that I think will be necessary for us to thrive in this important tournament."
Hodgson was grilled by the media at a Press conference at Wembley this afternoon.
There were a number of key subjects discussed including his decision to leave Rio Ferdinand out of the squad.
He was also asked about calling up uncapped duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain andJohn Ruddy, plus Andy Carroll and John Terry's selection.
Here is what the England manager had to say:
Hodgson on Rio Ferdinand being left out of the squad:
"It was purely a footballing decision. Rio is a player I respect as a player and a person.
"I don't know him that well personally but of course like everyone, I've seen enough of him to see what a fine footballer he is and what a good person he is.
"I had to make a footballing decision and I had to decide on the football basis on what I have seen in recent months.
"It was influenced in particular in what I have seen of him since the World Cup and he has only played once for England in the last year.
"On a footballing basis, I wanted people like Jones in the squad because he helps me balance out at right-back in the absence of Kyle Walker.
"It was a hard phone call to make of course, because you hate to disappoint people but I can only hope that Rio can accept my decision and understand that it is based on football and nothing else."
Hodgson on John Terry and Rio Ferdinand's relationship:
"I have spoken to both of them and I had to make the decision to speak to them after the final game of the season because they might not have been a need to speak to either of them if there had been an injury.
"I felt the need to speak to the both of them and tell them why I came to the decision."
Hodgson on John Ruddy's selection:
"John is a slightly obvious one. Everyone understands that we don't have that many English goalkeepers to choose from.
"But I think John has had an excellent season and Norwich have had an excellent season and surprised everybody.
"They've taken the Premier League by storm and he has been an important player in that team.
"So I was looking for a player to back-up Joe Hart, who is the obvious No1, and Robert Green, who is the obvious No2.
"I turned to John Ruddy and hopefully he is happy with that.
"When he was told, he offered to postpone the wedding but I said to him not to do that.
"Personally, I think it's a bit dangerous to cancel weddings at the last moment.
"You live with your wife a long time. Missing a football match is not the end of the world.
"So I suggested that we deal with the Belgium game with Joe Hart and Robert Green and we'll welcome him back for the plane to Poland."
Hodgson on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's call-up:
"I think he is a very, very exciting player who has given one or two performances that have made quite an impression.
"Not least of all, when Arsenal played Milan at the Emirates, we saw how well he dealt with Pirlo and Ambrosini in the centre of midfield.
"The fact he is that type of player that can play wide or central also affected my decision.
"Of course, for the future, he is going to be one we'll be seeing a lot of if he can continue as he has started."
Hodgson on his decision to pick Andy Carroll:
"A late charge is probably the best way of putting it.
"He's a different type of player to the other players in the squad.
"He has that ability to hold the ball up. He has the ability which is very useful but he also can make runs behind defenders and use his strength.
"I spoke to Kenny Dalglish at some length about him because I don't know him particularly well as person.
"Like everyone else, one can easily be tricked by public perceptions of players and what you hear and read about them.
"But Kenny was absolutely convinced about the player's ability and his personality and seriousness as a professional.
"When I heard that, it meant I had no further reservations."
Hodgson on naming John Terry in his squad:
"If we take the court case, obviously that's very unfortunate for him but at the moment we must emphasise that he is an innocent man until proven guilty.
"But my decision with John Terry was based purely on footballing matters. I was given a free hand as the squad I picked.
"I realised that when I selected him there would be people who would raise their eyebrows but that's the decision I have made.
"I believe that John Terry, especially in the latter part of the season, has played very well.
"I know people will say he shouldn't have done what he did against Barcelona but I am looking at the longer-term.
"I think he has played well and played an important part in Chelsea's FA Cup final victory and reaching the Champions League final.
"Therefore, I selected him because I think he is the best man for the job and I am hoping he will help England win matches."
Hodgson on not taking Micah Richards to Euro 2012:
"That was one of the difficult ones again.
"I've got to say, I was considering Kyle Walker initially until he dropped out through injury.
"Micah's name came into my head then but in Phil Jones I think we have a player who is capable of playing at right-back.
"Jones has done well at right-back and has done well at centre-half, as has Micah Richards.
"I suppose it was either going to be one of Jones or Richards and I chose Phil Jones."
Hodgson on taking four strikers instead of five:
"When I said I have agonised over the squad, that was one of the issues I have given a lot of thought to.
"I think by loading up in midfield, possibly with a lot of players who can go forward and play as a second striker or an out-and-out striker, I hope the balance of the squad can be maintained.
"I can use people like Walcott, like Oxlade-Chamberlain, like Ashley Young, who are players who have played in these type of positions.
"With them, we will be able to get by until Wayne Rooney's suspension is served."
No comments:
Post a Comment