“You're asking for too much – Rashford has to live his life”
Frank Lampard has defended Marcus Rashford and other young players in the England squad following the latest party controversy.
The former Chelsea midfielder is one of England's greatest ever players. In a career that spanned two decades, Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League.
He ranks fourth on the Premier League's all-time appearances list (609), sixth on the Premier League's all-time scorer list (177, a record for a Premier League midfielder), and holds the record for the most goals outside the Premier League. record. Box.
Lampard is not only a Premier League legend but also one of the country's greatest servants.
After making his England debut in 1999, the midfielder went on to make 106 appearances for the Three Lions (the same number as Bobby Charlton), scoring 29 goals and playing in three World Cups.
Lampard recently sat down with JOE's Oli Dugmore to discuss his life and illustrious career in the first episode of Unfiltered's second season.
In a wide-ranging interview, discussion turned to the Three Lions and Lampard's international career.
Lad culture, WAG and the 2006 World Cup
His penultimate major tournament for the national team came at the 2006 World Cup, the last chance for England's “golden generation” to win a major tournament.
At the same time, the mid-1990s were the peak of Britain's so-called “lad culture” – partying, drinking, and rocking.
There's a world of difference compared to Southgate's England team today. Lampard has spoken about how he believes the “lad culture” has affected his England squad and whether things are that different now.
“I don't think much has changed,” he said. “They tried to change the perception of it (the team) and they did a good job of that.
“But you're right, the environment is different. Looking back, the WAG thing was definitely a bad distraction and could have been handled better.
“The media are ecstatic about it, aren't they? It takes the focus off a team trying to prepare for the championship – it just distracts people.
“In terms of 'lad culture', I think if you break down the 26 players in the England squad there are still a couple who enjoy a few beers more than others, some who go to the nightclub more than others. Others So it is with people, and so it is with us.
“Even though we have social media now, the News of the World is happy to create this 'Oh, this happened.'” That wasn't always the case. We are all good lads trying to contribute to our country. “
For Rashford, not 'living his own life' is 'demanding'
But he expressed sympathy for the current crop of England players and highlighted recent media reports about Marcus Rashford's night in Belfast. Lampard said it was “a lot to ask” for players not to go out and enjoy themselves because the likes of Rashford still want to “live their lives”.
“Some things have changed because lads may not be able to go out now and if they do they will be photographed – we saw that with Rashford recently – so they should probably be more careful.
“But you're asking too much – young lads have to live their lives. But maybe they're more careful now and live differently.”
Lampard was full of praise for Southgate despite changing the culture of the England team.
Speaking about the England manager, he said: “What's more important to me is the job he's done in changing the feeling of the team, changing the feeling of the team from the outside.
“He was very good to the media, very good to the players – it seemed like the club felt we were pushing for it at the time.
“It looks like they’re happy to be there and the performance looks good, which is probably why we have high hopes for this summer.”
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