Sol Campbell still hopes to play for England's national team
The former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell would be turning 36 this month but still hopes to increase his tally of International caps. The player has played for England’s national team over 70 times, but looks to add to that collection.
“I think it all comes down to who is at the helm and the people behind the associations,” claimed Sol Campbell. The 35-year-old added that the FA and the coach will make all the decisions and that is what the English team wants. Campbell compared England with Italy, where defenders and goalkeepers have had long careers, beyond the age of 35. The defender therefore stated that there are a lot players who have performed at the highest levels even in their late 30’s and it is thus only down to the mentality. Sol stated that age is not a factor if your fitness level and form is good, and that the player himself believes that he is strong - both physically and mentally - to perform at the highest level. Not only has this, but players in the region of mid thirties provided the team with “priceless” experience.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has also tipped the 35-year-old to make an England comeback but his advice fell on deaf ears. The Newcastle man however was not concerned by this matter, claiming that if the concerned authorities and fans don’t want him, Sol will not be included. The player would then be only concentrating on Newcastle United, and if anything develops after that, it can be handled at an appropriate time.
The former Spurs man vowed to achieve full fitness and form for Newcastle United and concentrate on reestablishing the club in the top flight of English football. The player went on to say that the future would be dealt in the future and if people don’t think highly of you, it’s perfectly okay with him. Last season, Campbell was playing in League 2 for Notts County, but returned to the premier league in the second half of the season. The player produced some impressive performances for his former club and then signed a one year contract with newly promoted Newcastle United. The defender is now in the process of regaining full fitness and hopes to make his first team debut with the Tooners when they host Blackpool at St. James Park.
When asked if he still wanted to feature for England, the player claimed that he would love too, considering the fact that he believes he still has what it takes. The defender added that he still had the passion, the tenacity and the fire in his belly. The player however was helpless in this situation and didn’t want to fight for it. The defender, one the other hand, claimed to fight for his place at Newcastle United.
The defender claimed that last season he had worked hard to prove his form and fitness. Campbell went on to state that it’s all about getting the opportunity, which relies heavily on people behind it and of course the manager as well. Campbell was frustrated that as long those predetermined set of people were not happy, no matter what a player accomplished, he’d still be ignored.
Campbell last featured for England under Steve McClaren, and has thus not played under Fabio Capello. The player joked around claiming that he may have been in the team had he announced an early retirement, like Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes did. Both these players got a call up from Capello, urging them to move out of retirement. The latter, however, refused.
“No I never mentioned that I was retiring, but then maybe I should have retired and maybe he would have brought me out. Who knows?” stated the defender with a huge smile on his face.
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