‘His legs have gone’: Unpicking the four words no footballer wants to hear

Last season, a Brazilian midfielder was making waves at Liverpool. This season, it’s been his international team-mate at Manchester United taking the spotlight.

“I think Casemiro’s legs have gone,” Jamie Carragher shared on the Covering Liverpool podcast. “I noticed it last season at Anfield and I didn’t like what I saw. It took me back to watching Fabinho last year for Liverpool. I want to be the first to say it (about Casemiro). I don’t want to say it when everyone else is saying his legs have gone.”

Regardless of who said what and when, Carragher is not alone in this debate. Fabinho and Casemiro are not the only players facing criticism for appearing to be slower on the field.

Any footballer over 30 struggling for form is susceptible to such criticism, especially if they are now losing duels they used to win and seem to be a step behind the game.

Casemiro, turning 32 soon, was under scrutiny in a recent match against Luton Town. Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp described him as a “serial offender who kept fouling time and time again.”

It’s clear that older players face harsh judgment at times. Gareth McAuley, who played in the Premier League until he was 37, found comments about his declining performance while at West Bromwich Albion unfair.

Not every player reacts the same way to criticism. Some acknowledge that age has caught up with them, while others deny it until reality hits them hard, like in Gary Neville’s case during a match against West Brom in 2011.

Sol Campbell, another former England player, believes that proper rest and recovery can help older players remain competitive. He emphasizes that it’s not just about their legs giving out.

In the world of sports, phrases like “his legs have gone” are common but may not always paint an accurate picture. Each player is different, and their peak performance varies. Data analysis can help players understand their physical capabilities and make informed decisions about their training and performance on the field.



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