David Bentley came on as a late substitute for England in last Saturday's match against Israel...and was met by a chorus of boos from the Wembley crowd.
Anyone who followed the England U-21's exploits in the European Championships will know exactly why Bentley received such a hostile reception.
Withdrawing from the squad due to "fatigue," Bentley let down his teammates and his country in order to selfishly advance his own senior England career.
But did his absence actually benefit him?
In their last game, England faced Netherlands for a place in the final. England led for 51 minutes before a last minute equaliser took the game into extra time, then penalties.
There were some fantastic tries and great saves from both sides, but England were ultimately beaten 13-12.
Every England player learned an important lesson from that single game—never mind the whole tournament—about what it means to be part of a team.
I wonder if David Bentley felt like a team player watching the game alone in England.
I also wonder if, lacking this kind of experience, he'd be able to hold his nerve if he were to face the same situation in his England career.
Steven Taylor was forced to take a penalty when he could barely walk on a badly twisted ankle...and scored emphatically. He did that for his team, as every player on that park did it FOR THEIR TEAM.
I'm not denying that David Bentley is a quality player—but it takes more than quality to make it on the International stage. You're not an individual in any football match, you're just another cog in what should be a healthy machine.
If David Bentley isn't a team player, he doesn't deserve to have an England career.
D'you know what I'd say to Bentley? Same thing they told him at Wembley:
BOO!!!
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about 1 year ago
Sounds like another primadonna footballer who thinks too much of their image and not enough of their team and country. Who's to blame? I'm thinking David Beckham...
about 1 year ago
Bentley is a highly talented young player who deserves to playing for England...If you had gone through the knock backs he has suffered in his career you'd also be a little selfish...not many players released form premiership clubs become Internationals so I say good on him. He has worked his ass off to prove he can cut it at this level.
And if he felt that the extra games would effect his next season then yes he was justified...Ask Thierry Henry and such players what off season International tournaments do to your form and fitness?.......ask any Arsenal fan!
about 1 year ago
I totally disagree with what your saying. Forget for a moment what happened during the summer. Bentley came on for England, and instead of supporting the player, hoping that he helps the team, the fans boo him. That must really be good for his confidence.
And it's not the first time. Crouch and Lampard have been booed by their own fans simply for not being good enough. If you can't support the players playing for your team, then don't support the team.
Finally, I think Bentley was right to withdraw from the U-21 squad. He came back to his club, the ones who pay him, fresh and fit, and has been playing even better than last season,enough to break into the england team.
He is not a primadona, just professional enough to realise what is best for his career and his club.
about 1 year ago
I have to disagree. Lampard, Crouch and a couple of years ago Owen Hargreaves were all booed and have come through it the better. Lamps scoring again for England, Crouch getting goals and Hargreaves the best player in the World Cup. Lampard constantly puts his heart and soul into performances for Chelsea but doesn't show the same passion for England. Which is wrong! The highest stage in World football is International level. Thats where players should show their quality. Whether or not your club pay your wages, your country should be the priority. It is because English players don't see it like this that we are so unsucessful in major competitions. The other countries jut want it more.
Bentley deserved every boo he got. He isn't a team player and with all other players fit, wouldn't get a look into an England team!
about 1 year ago
The booing of Lampard Crouch and Hargreaves didnt turn them into better players. To imply so is stupid. Crouch and Hargreaves are both very good players and when given a run in the England team, in their correct positions they proved it. The English fans who booed them, never gave them a proper chance.
How can you even think Lampard (or any other player) doesn't give 100% to try and win when playing for England? I've always thought Lampard is overrated, both for Edngland and Chelsea, but his poor form was down to a lack of ability and/or bad tactics, not a lack of passion.
I honestly don't know why your country should be a persons priority and not themslves or their employer. The highest footballing stage is no longer internationals, but the champions league, im pretty confident all of Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal could beat England.
Bentley should be applauded for not playing with the under-21s. He put his teammates, the ones he sees everyday when training, first. He could have played throughout the summer, despite being 22, but he choose to put himself, his career, his club and his fans, above his country. And booing him will only further convince him he made the right choice.
about 1 year ago
This Champions League being the highest footballing stage is just a ridiculous notion! Champions League football is over shadowed by the Copa Libertadores in South and Central America for starters (proved by the fact that the Champions League winners rarely perform well in the FIFA Club World Cup). The day when International football is not the highest stage in football will signal the day that money, and not passion for the sport, runs football. Your probably right about England being beaten by Arsenal, United, Liverpool and Chelsea because if the players take the same line as Bentley none of the English players from those clubs will play!
about 1 year ago
I'm just shaking my head. Liam your so off course mate. The FIFA Club World Cup just like the European Super Cup is a publicity event.....no one cares! The Champions League is by far the top step of Club Football anywhere in the world.
I agree players should want to play for there countries. But if Bentley didn't feel up to it he didn't feel up to it. Why ruin his career ofer an under 21 tournament it just wouldn't make sense!
about 1 year ago
No one in Europe cares. South American teams class the Copa Libertadores as a qualifier for the Club World Cup. If the Champions League truly is the highest stage then the European team who wins it should go out to win the Club World Cup as well. This is precisely the point that i'm trying to make... teams only care about it if there is a lot of money involved, Being the Club World Champions should be the pinnacle for any domestic team, but its seen as mickey mouse because there isn't any money in it.
I'm not, by the way, saying that the Champions League is poor. Far from it. It shows the true class of the premiership and thats something every English fan can be proud of. I'm simply saying that the World stage should be more important!
about 1 year ago
I know I'm a wee bit biased being a Blackburn Rovers fan, but I David Bentley is probably the best right midfielder England has. I love Beckham, but apart from his dead ball prowess, solid passing, and awesome hair he can't really contribute much. Aaron Lennon is undisciplined, and can neither cross nor finish efficiently. Maybe in a couple years the lad will be good enough to start for the Three Lions.
So basically it comes down to two candidates, David Bentley of Blackburn Rovers and Shaun Wright-Phillips of Chelsea. Two players I admire, Bentley happens to be one of my favorite players. Ultimately though, I think Bentley just edges him out. Let me break it down for you as I see fit:
Set-Pieces: Bentley +++ (Beautiful free kicks and corners. You see the one he scored at Wembley?)
Ball Skills: SWP + (Phillips does have better moves than Bentley and is slightly better at beating defenders 1 on 1)
Dribbling: Even (Both solid with the ball at their feet going forward, but nothing Brasilian)
Crossing: Bentley ++ (His delivery is almost if not as good as Beckham's)
Heading: Even (Both solid if unspectacular headers of the ball)
Passing: Bentley + (Bentley has great vision and can pass long and short accurately)
Scoring: SWP (Inside the 18 yard box I give it to SWP, anything outside is Bentley territory)
This is what ultimately puts it over the edge for me:
Work-Rate: Bentley +++
Every time Bentley plays, whether it be for England 'B', U21, or Blackburn Rovers he kills himself out on the pitch. For 90 minutes he throws his body around looking to win the ball, hustles back to play defense, and is monstrous going forward.
Like I said, it's close but I've got to give Bentley the edge. Plus, Bentley is 2 years younger than SWP.
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