Bentley: England off colour in Paris

David Bentley has claimed England produced a "half-hearted" display against France because key players were preparing for this week's Champions League quarter-finals and the Barclays Premier League title race.

Michael Owen has insisted England players never lack passion when playing for their country but Bentley believes the Football Association was wrong to organise an international so close to the climax of the season.

Bentley said: "It was a strange game. It wasn't very enjoyable. It wasn't the best of games watching from the bench."

He added: "It's the stage of the season we're at. I don't think there should be a game like that anyway.

"I think it was a difficult situation. A lot of the lads are preparing themselves for the Premier League and the Champions League so it can be difficult to play a game like that for both sides. It was a half-hearted, 50% effort.

"Everyone wants to play well for England but sometimes it just happens like that.

"It wasn't enjoyable for me but you try to have an effect on the game, you go out there and try to have an effect but it is difficult to get into a game like that."

Bentley is in talks with Blackburn over a new contract and although Rovers manager Mark Hughes said the club are "trying to offer him more money", it is European football the midfielder craves.

"It's a big decision in my life at the minute. I want to play European football, I want to play at the top of my game," he said.

"I want to go to the World Cup in two years and I want to be starting - so sometimes you have to make strong decisions, we'll have to see what happens."