Every so often the subject of whether or not a player should be playing for his country gets raised. Usually it's a gripe about a player's form, but there are occasions that concern what they are up to outside the game of football.
The latest in this line of 'undesirables' is the much talked-up Andy Carroll. The Newcastle striker has impressed on the pitch so far this season, and has scored 6 league goals in 11 games. He clearly learned his trade well during last season's Championship winning campaign.
At the same time football fans would have found it hard not to be equally aware about Carroll's recent problems of a criminal nature. There have been three separate cases of varying degrees of assault in the last two years and he is currently on bail until January for the most recent one. Living with the Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan has not saved him from more unwanted press attention after his car was set alight and use of cocaine was alleged in their presence.
Glenn Roeder weighted in with his opinion that whilst Carroll deserves an England call-up (for the upcoming friendly with France), he should be made to wait a little longer for his debut. The former Newcastle player and manager reasons that if he appears for England so soon after his recent indiscretions, it would send out a poor example to young players and fans alike.
This is a fair point, and one that will probably divide opinion. However it should not be brushed aside, morally speaking it seems perfectly reasonable, surely football players should face similar consequences to everyone else. If that means that Andy Carroll has to prove that he can not only play well but behave well for a period of time, that's fair isn't it?
Of course some arguments seem to mostly bypass this line of thought and are developed from a purely footballing perspective. If the best players are fit and available then we should play them and reap the awards. That is a typical line that plays well to the spirit of wanting to win, but it is less welcoming if you are to consider integrity.
Newcastle team mate and former bad boy Joey Barton has stated that "sometimes you need the players who don't always toe the line”. This is an understandable point to make if we're talking about a player with disciplinary problems on the pitch- who hasn't commented that the England team could do with being a bit feistier at times. Unfortunately however we are talking about assault, something a bit more serious, and that's where Barton's logic fails.
Players can redeem and rehabilitate themselves as much as anyone, Barton himself is a case in point. A clear record since Alan Shearer's ill-fated time in charge of the Magpies, coupled with his impressive form this season should ideally lead to him receiving a first England call-up since 2007. I like many appreciated Barton's comical analysis of Frank Lampard's autobiography after the 2006 World Cup, but perhaps he is rather thinking of himself with his quote.
The midfielder also said of the selection process facing Fabio Capello, that "hopefully they will stop worrying about Goody Two Shoes image which the sponsors want for England”. He goes on to suggest that this is in part to blame for England's horror show in South Africa last summer. But this is clearly wrong, you only need to look at some of England's most established players to see that they're not all shrinking violets!
Between Rio Ferdinand's forgetfulness over a drugs test and John Terry selling tours of the Chelsea training ground, there are several players who have 'slightly' flouted their positions. Steven Gerrard was also very lucky by some accounts to get off free last year, from his charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.
In fact the more you look at it, perhaps the more the England squad should be made up with 'goody two shoes', if they're not always looking over their shoulder they may enjoy playing for England more. It's an argument that can go on and on, but there should be a line of trouble that you cross that has some consequences.
After all, we can't all be a crazy genius like Diego Maradona. Modern footballers may not all like it or realise it, but with their greater power there really is a greater responsibility...