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Harry Redknapp claims English players get too much too young Harry Redknapp attacks mentality of pampered young English players
(35 minutes later)
Harry Redknapp believes England’s promising youngsters are failing to make their mark because they get too much too soon. Harry Redknapp believes England’s promising youngsters are failing to make their mark because they get too much, too soon.
There have been several false dawns for a number of talented teenagers, even if the England coach, Roy Hodgson, included a number of young players in his World Cup squad. There have been several false dawns for a number of talented teenagers, even if the England coach, Roy Hodgson, included a number of young players in his World Cup squad. Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw were all given a chance to shine in Brazil with other young talents such as Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also involved.
Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw were all given a chance to shine in Brazil with other young talents such as Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also involved.
But, with photographs emerging of Wilshere smoking a cigarette on his post-tournament holiday and the Sunderland striker Connor Wickham reportedly spending £17,500 on a bottle of champagne on his own break, there are still plenty who question the desire of such players.But, with photographs emerging of Wilshere smoking a cigarette on his post-tournament holiday and the Sunderland striker Connor Wickham reportedly spending £17,500 on a bottle of champagne on his own break, there are still plenty who question the desire of such players.
And Redknapp, who had the West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison on loan last season – another player who has been held back by off-field issues – is certainly one of those.And Redknapp, who had the West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison on loan last season – another player who has been held back by off-field issues – is certainly one of those.
“We’ve had too many the last few years, for whatever reason,” the QPR manager said. “We’ve had too many the last few years, for whatever reason,” the QPR manager said. “I don’t know if it’s the mentality because they get so much so early. I saw a kid the other week buying £17,000-worth of champagne, what’s that about?
“I don’t know if it’s the mentality because they get so much so early. I saw a kid the other week buying £17,000-worth of champagne, what’s that about?
“Let’s be honest; he wouldn’t know an Asti Spumante from a £10,000 bottle of champagne – like I wouldn’t, it’s a load of cobblers. From where we have come from, what would we know?”“Let’s be honest; he wouldn’t know an Asti Spumante from a £10,000 bottle of champagne – like I wouldn’t, it’s a load of cobblers. From where we have come from, what would we know?”
Redknapp is hoping to add the Cardiff captain, Steven Caulker, to his ranks in the coming days to add to the free transfer of Rio Ferdinand.Redknapp is hoping to add the Cardiff captain, Steven Caulker, to his ranks in the coming days to add to the free transfer of Rio Ferdinand.
The 67-year-old has backed the duo to prove they are committed to their football and insists he will always buy British if possible.The 67-year-old has backed the duo to prove they are committed to their football and insists he will always buy British if possible.
“I want lads that want to have a go, you just have to hope you can get them,” he added.“I want lads that want to have a go, you just have to hope you can get them,” he added.
“You can take chances with too many foreign players, in the main I like players that have played in England and proved they can do it here rather than wait six months to see if they settle in, we haven’t got six months.“You can take chances with too many foreign players, in the main I like players that have played in England and proved they can do it here rather than wait six months to see if they settle in, we haven’t got six months.
“We need to stay in the league this year so we know what we are getting with the Caulkers and the Rios. We are looking at another English striker so if I can get British players in the main then I will.” “We need to stay in the league this year, so we know what we are getting with the Caulkers and the Rios. We are looking at another English striker so if I can get British players in the main then I will.”
Redknapp also revealed how close he came to leaving QPR and retiring from football management last season. Redknapp also revealed how close he came to leaving QPR and retiring from football management last season, saying he only decided to stay on after they secured promotion back to the Premier League via Bobby Zamora’s last-gasp play-off final winner.
Redknapp took over at Loftus Road in 2012 but could not prevent the west London club sliding to relegation from the Premier League.
Although they were installed as favourites to seal an immediate return, poor form around Christmas saw Redknapp’s side having to negotiate the playoffs to gain promotion.
And it was during the playoff final win over Derby when Redknapp started to face the prospect of walking away – only for Bobby Zamora to score a last-gasp winner.
“If we hadn’t gone up this year I would have turned it in,” he conceded. “I would have definitely packed up. I wouldn’t have gone back and done another year in the Championship, it didn’t appeal to me any more.“If we hadn’t gone up this year I would have turned it in,” he conceded. “I would have definitely packed up. I wouldn’t have gone back and done another year in the Championship, it didn’t appeal to me any more.
“If we had got beat I would have turned it in, definitely. With 10 minutes to go I was thinking ‘what golf club should I join this year – should I play here or there?’ and then suddenly Bobby ruined it all.” “If we had got beat I would have turned it in, definitely. With 10 minutes to go I was thinking ‘what golf club should I join this year – should I play here or there?’ and then suddenly Bobby ruined it all.
Zamora’s strike secured a top-flight return and Redknapp is glad to still be at the helm as he looks to help the R’s flourish in the Premier League this time around – with a troublesome knee also no longer causing him problems. “But now I am excited again To go to Anfield and Old Trafford is fantastic. I am so lucky to be able to do that.”
“Now I am excited again,” he said. “To go to Anfield and Old Trafford is fantastic, I am so lucky to be able to do that.
“I wouldn’t have missed the Championship. I didn’t fancy it. I would have said ‘let somebody else have a go for a year’ because I like the people here – I like the chairman, I genuinely look forward to seeing him.
“My leg is a lot better. I was struggling last year. I didn’t need an operation in the end, I just got on the bike and strengthened it. I thought I would be out for three months with an operation – but the Premier League is exciting and I am looking forward to it.”