STEPHEN TUDOR says Michael Carrick personifies what has gone wrong with English football

ANDREA PIRLO bewitched the watching continent with a series of wonderful and stylish performances that defined the modern-day holding role during the summer.
The 33-year-old schemed from deep, possession always retained with a Catholic Orthodoxy.
Defensively, he covered spaces intelligently, stayed on his feet, and shepherded opponents into areas they’d rather not go. It was overall a masterclass of poise, precision and scrappy urbanity – and proved beyond measure that a midfield ancho...