Capello lays down law to Gerrard
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Steven Gerrard... told to sacrifice his ambition (file photo). (Reuters: Phil Noble)
Fabio Capello has warned Steven Gerrard that he will have to sacrifice his ambition to be England's main man if he wants to keep his place in the national side.
Gerrard recently claimed he had only played in his favoured central midfield role in five of his 68 England appearances.
The 28-year-old often found himself deployed on the right wing during Steve McClaren's reign and Capello has also used him in a variety of positions.
Capello's decision to play Gerrard on the left flank against the Czech Republic prompted Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp to suggest the Italian could kill the Liverpool captain's England career.
But, although Capello knows Gerrard's reputation as one of the best midfielders in the world is well deserved, the England coach refuses to build his team around one individual - no matter how talented.
Even at Liverpool, Rafa Benitez rarely uses Gerrard in the centre of a two-man midfield because he fears his desire to produce match-changing moments can leave him out of position if possession is lost.
It did not help Gerrard's cause that England produced its best performance for years to rout Croatia 4-1 when he was missing through injury last month.
He returned to the squad for this week's World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Minsk, but Capello has made it clear he will not change his team-first philosophy to accommodate Gerrard's desires.
"Gerrard is a fantastic player but he is one of 11 players on the pitch," Capello said.
"He is an important player for sure, but he is one of the 11. We win and lose together.
"I don't know how many times he played for England before. The past is not my problem. I think only about the future. He has to play like he does for Liverpool.
"I know the best position for Gerrard but for me he can play two or three different positions.
"It depends on the game and the opponents. Sometimes he can play in one position and sometimes in others.
"With me he played three times, always in midfield. I hope in these three games he was with me.
"In my career I tried to put players in their best positions where they can play 100 per cent."
"But it is a fantastic experience for me. I hope it is not an impossible job."
-AFP
