Javier Mascherano was believed to have refused to play against Man City last Monday, this wasn’t something that Roy Hodgson would confirm or deny until now. The Liverpool Boss simply said that the Argentina international wasn’t mentally right to play however he has now, in the wake of his impending move to Barcelona, admitted that it’s hard to defend Mascherano’s behaviour, which does tend to support the thoughts that this is what did happen, with Roy saying:
‘It is not easy for me to defend the actions (of Mascherano) because professionals are paid to play and when they are called on to play, they play.’
Roy also went on to talk about a similar situation that occurred during his time at Blackburn with a couple of players, Graeme Le Saux and Tim Sherwood, keen to move but he said that it’s something that happened and he just dealt with. If anything the Reds Boss defended players actions and believes that it’s not meant as a personal insult against him or the club they play for it just happens.
In my honest opinion Roy was too kind to Masch, and other players, as they sign contracts with clubs and as such shouldn’t be allowed to act in such ways as they do. Player’s situations change and sometimes they want to move on for various reasons but refusing to play when under contract isn’t something that should ever be tolerated or allowed, these players are paid too much to be able to do this and the more they are pampered to the more they’ll believe they can get away with whatever they want, which is the problem with so many of them these days. Players have too much power.
Legends of Liverpool from years gone by would be ashamed of his actions and wouldn’t have dreamt of acting in such a way. Masch should be too, not that he will.
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