Carragher on his future

[Exiled_red]

I've not seen this posted anywhere else.

Carragher discussing his future when he's no longer a regular

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...966053,00.html

Carra eyes Anfield exit
Defender does not want to be 'squad player'
Last updated: 21st February 2010

Jamie Carragher has admitted he is considering what the future holds when he becomes surplus to requirements with Liverpool.

The defender has been with the Anfield outfit for his entire career, having come through the ranks of the club's youth team to make his mark as a Kop hero.

But the 32-year-old accepts that there will come a time when he is no longer assured of a first-team place and knows that could well be the point when he brings the curtain down on his Merseyside career.

"The idea of being described as a 'squad player' doesn't appeal to me," he told the News of the World.

"I dread to think the time might come to play somewhere other than Liverpool. For as long as I'm good enough to be in the team here, I'm playing and I feel physically I can do myself justice, there's nowhere else I'd want to be.

"But like anyone at this stage of their career, I have no choice but to think about the possibilities beyond that.

"I've only ever known one club, but I'm interested in how other clubs operate. There's more to football than The Liverpool Way and I'd like to hear different ideas."

Battering
Former team-mate Robbie Fowler is currently playing in Australia, while following in the footsteps of former England captain David Beckham and heading to America is another option Carragher could consider.

"An experience like that appeals to me," he admitted. "The only thing that might put me off is whether the kids and family would want to move.

"But I like the idea that when I've gone as far as I can at Liverpool I could enjoy that kind of vastly different experience.

"Sometimes you feel something new is exciting. If I did play anywhere else I think that's the route I'd look at.

"It wouldn't be for football reasons, but to get a sense of a different way of life.

"I'm not sure I'd get anything out of playing for a Premier League team struggling in mid-table or fighting relegation. I'd get no satisfaction and wouldn't see the point of putting myself through it. I'd just be giving my body a battering, really."


Good buys
Liverpool's current campaign has been a major disappointment, with early exits from the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.

Rafa Benitez's men are also well off the pace in the Premier League and face a tough battle just to ensure they are dining at Europe's top table again next term.

Carragher knows that simply fighting for fourth is not acceptable for a club of Liverpool's standing and believes their squad will have to be strengthened in the summer if they are to challenge for the title next term.

"You have to be realistic and recognise over the course of the season you're not going to get that first 11 on the pitch every week so the back-up has to be strong," he said.

"I'm sure there will be changes in the summer, and the main thing for us is keeping the top players here.

"There are times you feel you're a long way off, but it may only need some top-class additions for us to get back up there.

"I'd say we need two or three good buys and we wouldn't be as far away as many think.

"We just need beefing up. I know next year we don't want to be fighting for fourth again. To do that we'll have to strengthen the squad."

Carragher's been here that long I can't really imagine him playing for someone else

[Lee]

Carragher's been here that long I can't really imagine him playing for someone else

Yup, can't imagine him not being here. He's not a flair player like Gerrard obviously but he'll certainly be missed.

Hopefully we'll get another three or four seasons from him, but I read the interview earlier this morning and it was pretty sad

[lickedlollipop]

just imagine carra while playing for tottenheim or wigan :S

[Darth Marty]

He has said in the past that he would probably play elsewhere rather than be a bit part player, like this article I remember him saying it wouldnt be for another prem team, more than likely abroad. Thats fine, like Sami he will always have a place here, Id hope anyway.

[Exiled_red]

He has said in the past that he would probably play elsewhere rather than be a bit part player, like this article I remember him saying it wouldnt be for another prem team, more than likely abroad. Thats fine, like Sami he will always have a place here, Id hope anyway.

[jono]

He has said in the past that he would probably play elsewhere rather than be a bit part player, like this article I remember him saying it wouldnt be for another prem team, more than likely abroad. Thats fine, like Sami he will always have a place here, Id hope anyway.

I thought in his book he said that it would be difficult for him to leave the North West?

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

I could see him linking up with Robbie in Aus, or maybe in the USA somewhere. Hopefully its a few seasons off now though!

[-V-]

Its a good thing that he is willing to accept there will be a time to move on. We can all see that with every passing season his game is declining. If we had big money to spend then Carra would already be a back-up player in my opinion.

But he's still useful right now, how many centre-backs do you know that can run up and down the right wing when asked?

It won't be too difficult for him to move on as it seems he's already accepted it in his head

[The Birdman]

In his book he's quite strong in supporting people like Nicky Butt and Phil Neville because they left a top successful club to play more games elsewhere.
I know it's not going to happen because we won't have big money to spend but I wonder if Carra would stay and be a bit part player if we were serious contenders and had a real chance of winning the league or would he stay will his stated opinion and leave us to play more regularly elsewhere??

[Shaggy]

Didn't he say in the book that he'd never stay as a squad/bit-part player? I find that a bit distasteful, I must say.

[Armchairkopite]

Didn't he say in the book that he'd never stay as a squad/bit-part player? I find that a bit distasteful, I must say.

Exactly, hardly a shining example for lads sitting on the bench.

[Gordy Boy]

Exactly, hardly a shining example for lads sitting on the bench.

Didn't he say in the book that he'd never stay as a squad/bit-part player? I find that a bit distasteful, I must say.

Isn't it that sort of attitude that separates him from the bench-warmers though?

[Slinky Skills]

I'm not sure I'd get anything out of playing for a Premier League team struggling in mid-table or fighting relegation. I'd get no satisfaction and wouldn't see the point of putting myself through it. I'd just be giving my body a battering, really



You already are Jamie.

[Exiled_red]

I guess it's one thing to say he wouldn't stay if he wasn't playing every game, but what happens when he gets a few years older and realises he can't play every game, like the likes of Giggs and Scholes have been doing for the scum recently

[tommyg]

Would Carra really talk to NOTW?