Seaman - fit and nearly forty (Allsport).
SEAMAN CAN PLAY INTO HIS 40'S - ERIKSSON
By Mark Bradley, PA Sport Chief Soccer Writer, Shizuoka
Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for England team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone
Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed his belief that David Seaman could extend his
England career until the Euro 2004 finals although he insisted the final
decision will be down to the keeper himself.
Eriksson has been impressed with 38-year-old Seaman's form during the
tournament, having let in only one goal in the four games before the
quarter-final against Brazil.
Teddy Sheringham, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell have been among those to insist
recently that Seaman can continue at international level into his forties.
Although Eriksson has a young outfield line-up, he values the experience of
the Arsenal keeper, who will win his 73rd England cap against Brazil.
"David Seaman still has the desire. He's very keen on working. He's very
precise in his work and what he eats and how to live and so on," declared the
England coach.
"He is still very fit and quick and you cannot buy experience."
Eriksson confirmed that if Seaman asked him whether it was worth continuing
his international career, he would tell him to do so.
However, he knows that the real answer can only come from the Arsenal keeper
himself as to whether he retains his hunger for the game and steers clear of
serious injuries.
"Whether he carries on until the Euro 2004 finals is, I think, very much up
to him and up to Arsene Wenger as to whether he plays regular football for
Arsenal," added Eriksson.
"One day, players with that amount of experience wake up and aren't hungry
any more and that's it.
"One day you are not prepared any more to live the life, always dieting,
taking care of your weight and training, but so far I can't see any signs of
that with David Seaman."
If Seaman does decide to carry on, that would effectively spell the end of
Nigel Martyn's international career, given that the 35-year-old Leeds keeper
would remain in his shadow.
David James would still only be 33 in two years' time, while the next
generation of goalkeepers, such as Richard Wright, Chris Kirkland and Paul
Robinson, could be ready to take over by then.
Seaman revealed recently that he considered retirement earlier this season
when he was plagued by a shoulder injury but has now put such thoughts behind
him.
"I was worried about my shoulder. I knew this might be my last chance at a
World Cup and if I broke down again, I might not make it," he admitted just
before coming out to the Far East.
"The surgeon saved my career really. It just shows you never to give in as
who knows what's going to happen. It's about determination and self-belief.
"From being really down and thinking about retirement, I'm now at the World
Cup.
"As long as I feel like this, I will continue playing - unless I don't get
offered a new contract by Arsenal!"
|
