Gerrard: England's Golden Generation Is An Selfish Defeat

JAKARTA - The former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, said that the generation of England's National Team (Timnas) players failed to work well together.

He called the Three Lions golden generation a selfish loser. Despite their football IQ, egos and rivalry are a big problem in the British camp.

Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand were part of the so-called British golden generation during the 2000s.

Despite having squads full of players, such as Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, and Paul Schholes, England failed to pass the quarter-finals of major tournaments between 2002 and 2014.

"I think we are all selfish losers. I watch television now and I see (Jamie) Carragher sitting next to Paul Schholes in the debate."

"They look like they've been friends for 20 years. I saw Carragher's relationship with Gary Neville, they looked like they've been friends for 20 years."

"I may be closer and friend to you (Ferdinand) now than when I played with you for 15 years."

"So why are we not connected when we are 20, 21, 22, 23? Is that an ego? Is that a rivalry?"

"I think it's because of the culture in England that makes us all never connected. Too often in the room."

"We are not friendly or connected. We are not a team. We have never been a really strong and tough team," Gerrard said speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

Gerrard also talked about his belief that he could play in midfield alongside Lampard and Schholes.

The last name is often placed on the wing beyond his will and retired from international duty in 2004.

"If you play in a system that many coaches apply, I think someone should have the courage to say, well, Steven, not you today, or Frank or Schholes."

"Putting Schholes on the left and I'm on the right or I'm on the left or asking one of us to just be a defensive midfielder, it's really detrimental to all of us."

"However, I think we can play together. I think we can be trained tactically over a certain period of time to succeed."

"I believe we have IQ and football intelligence to adapt and make it work together," Gerrard said.

Comparing his current team with England, Gerrard said that Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are the best midfielders of this generation.

"In the Premier League, I think Declan Rice is a very, very good midfielder. I really like him."

"I love the kid, I like his mentality, I like the way he goes up to next level at Arsenal."

"He added new things to his game. I think he will be a very tough and strong opponent, a good challenge."

"Jude Bellingham, if he's in the Premier League, I'd love to face him. I really thought it would be interesting and good."

"They are both the best at the moment, in my opinion from England's point of view," Gerrard said again.

England will face Wales in a talks on Friday, October 10, 2025, before playing a Latvian visit to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers European Zone on October 15, 2025 WIB.