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The former Premier League midfielder raised concerns about England's Golden Generation that he deemed 'disrespectful'
Former England international Kieron Dyer has spoken out about what he considers to be “one of the biggest crimes ever" in English football, involving the trio of midfield maestros Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard.
In a recent interview, Dyer expressed his admiration for Paul Scholes, describing him as the best player he ever played with. Notably, Scholes earned praise from football legends like Xavi and Zinedine Zidane, who considered him their favourite player. However, despite his immense talent, Scholes faced a peculiar challenge within the England setup.
Scholes: The Unappreciated Genius
Dyer highlighted the mismanagement of Scholes within the national team, asserting that other footballing nations would have utilized him as the fulcrum of their midfield. Instead, under Sven Goran Eriksson's management, Scholes was often played out of position, stationed on the left side of midfield.
The former England international expressed his discontent at that decision, stating that Scholes was wasted in a role that didn't fully appreciate his skills. He said, "We didn’t have a football culture that appreciated him. So we wasted him by putting him on the left and banished him to the margins. It was disrespectful, one of the biggest crimes ever, as he reminisced on the first-choice midfield of David Beckham, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard, which left Scholes to operate on the left side of the midfield quartet
The best player in training
Dyer went on to emphasize Scholes's prowess during training sessions, highlighting his extraordinary ability to score spectacular goals from long distances. According to Dyer, Scholes' one-touch mastery was unparalleled, and he recalled a training session where the midfielder scored multiple stunning goals, prompting a rare display of admiration from his teammates.
Dyer recounted how, after the remarkable training session, the entire England squad formed a guard of honor, applauding Scholes off the pitch, saying, "One day he scored three or four goals — and I’m not talking tap-ins. I’m talking 25-yarders-lodging-in-the-stanchion-type goals.
“When the session was over, the rest of the England players formed a guard of honour and clapped him off the pitch. I’d never seen that before and I never saw it again."
Dyer’s Verdict: Scholes, the Best of the Legendary Trio
Dyer concluded his insights by asserting that, in the trio of Gerrard, Lampard, and Scholes, the latter was the best. Despite Scholes's undeniable talent and contributions, he was often asked to step aside, resulting in what Dyer deems "one of the biggest crimes ever" in English football history.
As Dyer's revelations shed light on the nuances of managing top-tier talent, the legacy of Paul Scholes within the context of the England national team remains a topic of reflection and discussion among football enthusiasts.
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