After the World Cup embarassment, he should probably go ahead and retire, but with my disdain for 'pretty foot', I don't mind if he suits up a couple more matches. I don't think it'll do England any good though, they've clearly got to give Barkley, Henderson, and Wilshere more playing time, if they want to improve. They also need to get a better manager.
I've heard Gerrard called a failure on the International level and that's why he isn't 'world class'. Rubbish, one man does not make a team, though there were times when Gerrard carried his country. His statistical output for England has been impressive so far, especially when you consider he's played nearly every outfield position.
| npgp90 | gcp90 | ccp90 | ap90 | ccv |
| 0.22 | 0.46 | 1.97 | 0.24 | 12.3 |
| pass% | bp% | sacc% | shot% | TTI90 |
| 80.2 | 25.9* | 46.7 | 15.3 | 12.7 |
| gap90 | gsp90 | gop90 | tgop | gopd90 |
| 0.81 | 1.99 | 1.18 | 0.99 | 0.19 |
| tp90 | tack% | intp90 | clrp90 | bsp90 |
| 2.52 | 71.8 | 1.92 | 1.3 | 0.45 |
Those are solid numbers all around save his turnover rate. His goals on pitch difference per 90 of 0.19 means he has been worth nearly an extra goal every five matches, +21.66 for his career. Which isn't surprising when he was actually played a part in a quarter of his side's goals when he plays.
I don't really care if others don't think he's world class, but saying it is because he doesn't perform on the international stage is not valid. In reality, he's played quite well and if it's because he's never won a Euro or a World Cup, I guess Messi, Ronaldo, Bale, Rooney, Robben, Van Persie, and anybody else who hasn't played for Germany, Spain, Italy, or Brazil in the past 12 years isn't 'world class' either.
