Able Bodies

John Terry, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard. All without doubt influential players, all prepared to make a faster recovery in order to aid their club and international teams.

Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool four days after breaking a toe. Today John Terry has expressed his desire to play for Chelsea against Valencia on Wednesday in the Champions League just days after fracturing a cheekbone in the draw against Fulham. Michael Owen is fighting to be fit for the crucial England qualifiers in a fortnight’s time, again, just days after tearing a abductor muscle playing for Newcastle.

But will faster recoveries come at a cost for players later in their careers/life? Will their clubs be affected? Or is it advancements in technology improving the speed of the recovery process?

After breaking his toe playing for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was rushed back to fitness in order so he could turn out for his country in their vital European qualifiers last month. Alright, England won those games, but Gerrard was not his regular influential self. Instead upstaged by Gareth Barry. Could England have won those two games without Gerrard, I think so.
His involvement with England has led to a loss of form and a conflict between his club and his country. Before the qualifiers, Liverpool were top of the league, now they are 4th.

Michael Owen, also rushed back to fitness for those vital England qualifiers last month, has suffered another injury. Already there is talk of him being fit for the next England qualifiers in two weeks.

The original recovery process obviously wasn’t long enough or Owen wouldn’t have torn a muscle on Saturday. To be sent to a German specialist with a view to be back as quickly as possible is ridiculous. Surely he should be given time to fully recover from this injury giving him a chance of a long injury free run.

I realise that this wouldn’t benefit England in two weeks, but it would benefit Newcastle throughout the season leaving England a player who would be back to his best and available for selection for the European Championships when England qualify, which, I add, they will do.

John Terry is willing to play for Chelsea tomorrow in a face mask, what affect will this have on his recovery?

I’m not trying to say that club comes before country, that’s a completely different argument. What I’m trying to get across is that the player comes before club and country. Martin Samuel, The Times’ Chief Football Correspondent, wrote a brilliant article in Monday’s ‘The Game’ supplement. He suggests that the player, whilst should be committed to his club, wants to play for his country. Why can’t we, as fans and professionals, respect the players values and leave him to decide without all the pressure.

After all, what’s the rush?