The Carragher Conundrum

By Oliver Sparrow, writing from England

When Jamie Carragher’s inclusion in Fabio Capello’s provisional England squad was announced today, I was immediately engulfed by a confusing concoction of emotions. I had previously heard his name bandied about by the media, but I largely ignored the rumours and consigned them to the scrapheap to lie forlornly alongside Owen Hargreaves and Bobby Zamora. It would be fair to say I wasn’t wholly expecting Carragher’s name to be in the squad selection.

After letting my confusion settle for a while, it eventually separated itself into two conflicting arguments. The cold, detached tactician in me agreed with his inclusion due to his ability, versatility and experience. The passionate, patriotic partisan in me was outraged at his inclusion due to him turning his back on his country in 2007. These two arguments still rage within my mind.