If Ferdinand jeopardises his United career, he would never forgive himself

By Jamie Redknapp

PUBLISHED: 17:57 EST, 18 March 2013 | UPDATED: 05:04 EST, 19 March 2013

Rio Ferdinand has done what he thinks is best for him.

As you get older, you have to look after your body so much more and Ferdinand must feel he is not capable of training and playing normally. If he can’t, joining the squad is a pointless exercise.

Martin Samuel wrote on Monday that you need to be your best at international football or you get caught out and Ferdinand will know that. He also can’t risk injury when he is playing for a new contract at Manchester United.

Looking out for No 1: Rio Ferdinand withdrew from the England squad to ensure his fitness for his club

Looking out for No 1: Rio Ferdinand withdrew from the England squad to ensure his fitness for his club

I lost so much of my career to injuries picked up on international duty. Liverpool fans used to write to me asking why I bothered carrying on when it was the club who were paying my wages. I understood and, though I am hugely patriotic, if I could have my time again, I wouldn’t have gone on those England trips at the expense of my club career.

My last game for England was a Euro 2000 qualifier against Scotland. I was out injured for a year afterwards and nobody from the FA called to ask how I was. Nobody from England cares once you are injured, it’s your club who look after you.

Know how he feels: Jamie Redknapp was out for a year after injuring himself on international duty

Know how he feels: Jamie Redknapp was out for a year after injuring himself on international duty

If Ferdinand comes back injured and jeopardises his United career, he will never forgive himself.

Also, Roy Hodgson does not want to make the mistake Fabio Capello did when he took Ledley King to the World Cup in 2010.

King, who also used to manage his injuries on a weekly basis, was injured almost straight away and Capello was left without a key player.

Previous: Ledley King struggled to balance his club and national team commitments due to injury

Previous: Ledley King struggled to balance his club and national team commitments due to injury

Ferdinand has other reasons to do what he feels is best for him. After having the captaincy taken away from him under Capello and being left out of squads by Hodgson, he doesn’t owe England anything.

So he’s taking the safer option. It’s just a shame for England that he’s in such good form.

 

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I don't understand most comments on here, Rio was treated like a third class citizen after giving years of loyal service and being a servant for England, he was then ostracised over the sad JT and Anton affair, that was all over the last two years, now Rio has to look after himself even moreso for United and why not? I agree with Jamie. Club definately comes first as they are the ones who take care of you. Lets be honest here, it's not like England are going to win anything in the next 50-100 years internationally is it? Woy is caught in YouTube telling the whole world that Rio's international career is over, I think that was enough for any intelligent human being to know that you've been forced into retirement, now Woy has issues at the back Rio is the solution?? I wouldn't treat anyone with such disrespect.......

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Have to agree with All Eyes On Me. This is a simple case of sour grapes. He never expected to get the call up and now he's trying to prove a point. Its not even club V country - why would he kick off for all this time at not getting picked. Since when has playing for your country ever meant jeopardising your club career anyway???

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FINALLY someone talking sense on the Rio Ferdinand issue.

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Sorry, Jamie, have to disagree with you over Rio. He just showed once again he has no class.

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England never achieved anything with him in the squad when he was in his prime, get younger players in and build for the future

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Rio retire from England then you won't get 'stick', but then you won't get so many sponsors too, will you Rio?

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jamie knows that liverpool really take care of him while he is injured.

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Pathetic excuse to drop out that only a Utd player would get away with.

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It is simple, SAF told him he couldn't go - full stop. There is no other explanation or excuse that is plausible or valid. Hodgson needs to move on , and so does Ferdinand.

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Agreed, but why did he not inform Hodson before being selected? - nox, london, 19/3/2013 8:54 ==========What in the same way that Roy informed him that he wasn't selected for the Euros!!!!!! Don't you love Karma

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