This is one of the (numerous) things that annoys me about modern football. Club vs Country has always been a controversial issue, but now it's getting silly. Bentley has played no more, and in all probability, a lot less than a lot of the other squad members, so why's he so special?
Or is this a new depth in the mercenary nature of the modern game? Is Bentley saying 'my international career is over, who cares?' Primarily because he wants to 'focus' on his club career - and the huge earnings therein?
I'm sorry, but this 'I'm tired', 'the players are jaded bit', is wearing very thin in an age when the 42 match ever-present, with anything up to 18 (with replays remember!) domestic cup matches on top, plus possibly Euro games is long gone. In the age of the 28 player squad they very rarely top the 36+ domestic mark, most players play about 26 matches a season, and all the top managers rotate in Europe.
Besides, if a player really can't manage 180 minutes of football a week, with a bit of training on top, I would humbly suggest a change of job. Or perhaps something really tiring? Coal mining, or timber felling, or even God forbid playing professional tennis for several hours, day in day out!
If he's blown his England career, then no-one will care. The sad thing is, you have to suspect, him least of all.............