Exclusive - Le Tissier: 'Players care more about contracts than England'

Matt Le Tissier believes Premier League stars now care more about the size of their contracts than playing for England.

Wednesday night's friendly against Hungary is in danger of turning into farce, with pressure mounting on Fabio Capello, and two of the players originally selected for the squad, Paul Robinson and Wes Brown, subsequently announcing their international retirements.

And although he admits the timing of this week's Wembley clash is ridiculous, the former Southampton star fears playing for their country is no longer a key goal for today's top names.

He told talkSPORT: "It wouldn’t be a surprise if more players announced their retirements because the way it’s going at the moment it’s almost as if the players no longer feel that representing their country is that much of an honour any more.

"That for me is sad because the whole reason I got into professional football was because I had an ambition to play for England and that seems to have disappeared somewhat.

"It’s all about how much your contract is worth and England seems to be a distraction."

Capello is under increasing pressure following the World Cup flop in South Africa, and the retirements of Robinson and Brown have given his critics yet more ammunition.

"It’s embarrassing," admitted Le Tissier. "But nothing the FA does surprises me. They're not the most organised outfit in the world and I think they’ve shown that with some of the decisions they’ve made, and this is just another one that’s gone wrong.

"People should be made aware that they’re going to be in the squad before it’s announced and then given the chance to say they don’t want to be considered. That gives the manager the chance to call up a couple of other people and save the whole embarrassment of what’s happened in the last couple of days."

Although the Hungary game could be an opportunity for young stars like Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs to stake their claims, Le Tissier is concerned about the long-term health of the game in this country.

He added: "People were warning many years ago when the foreign players started flooding into the country that it would affect the England team, and it seems it’s taking its toll now.

"We've got people who aren’t playing regularly in the Premier League yet they’re getting comfortably into the England squad.

"I think that’s a really big worry for the future of English football."