So there is no player power at Chelsea either?
Look, it is simply not possible for Gerrard and Carra to not be in power, this is not the point in all this, as it´s a normal and common thing for senior local players with a history of them both to be important, on and off the field.
It´s naive and unreal to think that Gerrard has no word with a manager on how to play him best but that´s not the point as this would happen at every other big club in a relationship between senior star players and manager.
The point is that for every club there comes the turning point when this "importance" becomes a burdon. This was the case with Keane at ManU, with Effenberg and Mattäus at Bayern and with Ballack at the german international.
Gerrard has become a burdon in center mifield in a lot of games as he is simply not able to close all those gaps when defending because of his age and fitness together with his untouchable status. With every other player there would be NO problem whatsover to discuss this but not in his case though. EVERY tiny little argument towards him be better played in attack is shot down with insults of all kind.
So how is he not standing above any other players here when it comes to football reasoning and discussion? And how is this not just another prove for his untouchable status inside and outside of the club? He never has been benched since Rafa left and it isn´t allowed to be critial on his performances in the slightest?
You wanna say that this is all in the best interest for the competition and performances of a first eleven on the pitch? No way of critical discussion allowed? Ever?
This applies to most jobs, quality, experience, attitude (any other positive attribute) will gain you respect. My issue is by this nonsense that Gerrard is a power crazed individual who runs Liverpool and now England as well, based on nothing - not a single shred of evidence. With Chelsea the players behave diferently and openly challenge their managers as we have seen with Terry on national level as well. It is different as they all seem to openly act in their own interest. I don't think Gerrard can be compared to Terry, but of course I accept that because of his earned respect he is involved in decision making and consulted (not because he is making any power crazed demands but because he is asked for his opinion/advice). The reason for me having this outlook is from what I (and majority of supporters) have access to. There are rumours here and there, some hear-say but there is never anything credible to support it. The closest we have to make a judgement about a player comes from the way the players behaves and what his team-mates/opponents and managers/staff say and in Gerrard's case I have not once seen a single negative comment. Those people know him, work with him and therefore I will take their opinion over any distant and ignorant fan speculations. We even have evidence to the contrary - look at home many different positions he has played in when asked by various managers.
If you mean "power" players want to know how the club will be run going forward, how is that different to any player?
As criticising Gerrard goes I am fine with it; pick his performances apart and criticise as long as stupid speculation that he has the power to chose where and how to play etc is left out of it and the team he plays in aknowledged because even looking at individual performance, the team plays a huge role. As long as the criticism is fair and balanced, there is no problem.
I don't remember him being benched by Rafa, I remember him being plagued with injuries at all times until Kenny gave him rest here and there (effectively Kenny benched him several times to rest him).
Your post is more an emotional appeal from some perspective that no-one here allows you to criticise Gerrard, than a discussion addressing his role as a captain (again, always only praised by his team-mates and looked up to) so I will leave this now as I don't see any problems with criticism here with exception of minority who usually are abusive rather than critical.
