The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
David Bentley has shed light on his decision to retire from football at the age of just 29.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the former Tottenham and Blackburn star says he has fallen out of love with football and lamented the restraints that come with the modern game.
Bentley said: "Nowadays you don’t see character and charisma. Every team plays the same, every player does the same thing. You aren’t going to remember any of them.
"Even the best players in the world — they just do their job and they’re a brand, controlled by an army behind them.
‘I was never really good at that. My flaw was I’d never touch my toes and take it like a good boy."
Bentley retired from football in June after failing to build on the early promise of his career.
The midfielder who joined Tottenham in 2008 was capped seven times for England and was briefly dubbed the 'next David Beckham'.
But he struggled to fulfil his potential for both club and country and believes it is because there is little room for flair in football these days. ‘It’s why England fail. That’s why we’ll never produce players. It’s about the mindset of the English game.
‘You look at Ross Barkley or Raheem Sterling; do you think Neymar or James Rodriguez are much better? Are they genetically built better? Or is it just in their mind?
‘When Neymar or Rodriguez go out on the field they’re relaxed. They love to play, with their heart. Young English players are mentally polluted so they can’t express themselves.
‘England will always struggle at major tournaments until somebody comes in to change the whole system. I played at every England youth level going and it was exactly the same.’
