Peter Crouch has opened up about the possibility of retiring from professional football and well, I’m not taking the news very well.

It has been an incredible journey for the instantly recognisable, 6ft 7inch striker, playing at the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool down the years.

But the reality of no robot celebrations and cheeky interviews is hitting me hard on this warm Monday afternoon.

In all seriousness though, it does sounds like Crouch is considering hanging up his boots for good:

“Everyone I’ve spoken to who’s fit and retired has regretted it, and everyone who has retired has told me to play on as long as I can.” he said.

“I don’t know. I’ve had a great time. I know if I chose to play on I could because I feel fit, I train every day and, touch wood, I haven’t had many injuries, but do I want to?

“There are other things I could do and I’m quite enjoying as well. I’m going to sit down with the family and probably get told what to do.

“I’ve been playing every day for 23 years. It’s a long time and to wake up one morning and not have it will be hard.”

Crouch has been a regular goalscorer for the majority of his club career as well as bagging 22 goals for his country.

From goals in the 2010 World Cup qualification stages to that win over Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup, he’s played a huge part for England.

And it turns out the best player he’s ever played with was in that England squad.

In an interview with the Anfield Wrap, Crouch revealed who the best in training was during his time with the national team:

“I’ve been very lucky to play with the likes of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale at Tottenham – and some top players with England like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney but Gerrard, for me, I just feel like he had everything.” he said.

“I remember playing against him when I was a kid at Spurs and he was at Liverpool in the youth team.

“In the first moment I saw him he smashed someone on the edge of the box, beat two men and crashed the hardest shot I’ve ever seen on to the crossbar. I thought… who’s this fella?

“In England training he was by far the best player and that was with world-class players.

“He could play right-back and still be the best player. If you put all that together, for me, that’s why one of the chapters [in Crouch’s recent autobiography] is dedicated to him.

“He’s the best player I played with and I say how to be a footballer, go and follow that.”

Crouch is currently at Burnley but his short term contract is about to come to an end.

Please don’t retire just yet, Peter…Football will never be the same again.