As the summer of football gets under way, many of us will have prepared for the coming weeks in the standard football fan fashion: planned when and where to watch all matches, find a space for our Euro 2016 wall-charts and, last but not least, submit a vain attempt to complete a certain sticker album.
A side from these rituals, many of us too (well, England fans that is) will have concocted our very own England all-time XI’s.
With numerous documentaries and debates being rammed down our throats – all covering past glories and failures – the prospect of what might have been or who makes our line-ups will have been high on the agenda.
In response, I too have come up with a fantasy England XI that includes some obvious choices and some possible head-scratchers.
I’ve tried to keep to a balanced side – with a quintessential English 4-4-2 system – which means leaving out some big names and some World Cup winners to boot.
So here, at the height of optimism before England participate in another tournament, is my England all-time XI…
GK – Peter Shilton – 1970-1990 (125 caps)
Still the record holder for most caps, Shilton is one of the game’s most decorated ‘keepers. Part of the Forest side that dominated the late 1970s, he had to fight off fierce competition from another world-class stopper in the shape of Ray Clemence but went on to appear in host of tournaments for his country, making over 1,000 career appearances in total. A giant of the English game. Alternative: Gordon Banks – 1963-1972 (73 caps)
LB – Stuart Pearce – 1987-1999 (78 caps, 5 goals)
The quintessential hard man of football – but could play as well. Pearce started in non-league before developing into a consistent international full-back. Will be best remembered for his contribution during Italia ’90 and Euro ’96. A great character and leader. Alternative: Ashley Cole – 2001-2014 (107 caps)
A side from these rituals, many of us too (well, England fans that is) will have concocted our very own England all-time XI’s.
With numerous documentaries and debates being rammed down our throats – all covering past glories and failures – the prospect of what might have been or who makes our line-ups will have been high on the agenda.
In response, I too have come up with a fantasy England XI that includes some obvious choices and some possible head-scratchers.
I’ve tried to keep to a balanced side – with a quintessential English 4-4-2 system – which means leaving out some big names and some World Cup winners to boot.
So here, at the height of optimism before England participate in another tournament, is my England all-time XI…
GK – Peter Shilton – 1970-1990 (125 caps)
Still the record holder for most caps, Shilton is one of the game’s most decorated ‘keepers. Part of the Forest side that dominated the late 1970s, he had to fight off fierce competition from another world-class stopper in the shape of Ray Clemence but went on to appear in host of tournaments for his country, making over 1,000 career appearances in total. A giant of the English game. Alternative: Gordon Banks – 1963-1972 (73 caps)
LB – Stuart Pearce – 1987-1999 (78 caps, 5 goals)
The quintessential hard man of football – but could play as well. Pearce started in non-league before developing into a consistent international full-back. Will be best remembered for his contribution during Italia ’90 and Euro ’96. A great character and leader. Alternative: Ashley Cole – 2001-2014 (107 caps)
CB – Bobby Moore – 1962-1973 (108 caps, 2 goals)
Perhaps the only ever English player to be considered the world’s best in their respective position. Our World Cup winning captain excelled at reading the game and was calmness personified on the field. As well as making it into the World Team of the 20th Century, Pele declared Moore to be the greatest defender he’d come up against. Alternative: Billy Wright – 1946-1959 (105 caps, 3 goals)
CB – Tony Adams – 1987-2000 (66 caps, 5 goals)
Bizarrely left out of Italia ’90, Adams was one of the best centre-backs of the 1990s. An Arsenal legend, he captained England at Euro ’96 and was always one to put his body on the line for his country. One you’d want in the trenches alongside you. Alterative: Rio Ferdinand – 1997-2011 (81 caps, 3 goals)
RB – Gary Neville – 1995-2007 (85 caps)
Mr. Consistent for both club and country, Neville was always a solid 7 out of 10 performer. Played every minute of Euro ’96 until he was suspended for the semi-final loss to Germany. Was sorely missed when out injured for the 2002 World Cup too. Another who leads by example. Alternative: George Cohen – 1964-1967 (37 caps)
LM – Chris Waddle – 1985-1991 (62 caps, 6 goals)
Due to England’s lack of natural left-footed wingers, this was perhaps the toughest position to fill. Waddle, however, was one of the most talented footballers of his generation – adding flair and width to the England squads of the mid ’80s to early ’90s. One of the very few English players who could dribble past opponents with ease. Alternative: John Barnes – 1983-1995 (79 caps, 11 goals)
CM – Bobby Charlton – 1958-1970 (106 caps, 49 goals)
Another World Cup winner, Sir Bobby was another exceptional player. A midfielder who could run all day and score goals was worth their weight in gold. He played his part in ’66 – setting the benchmark for others to follow. Don’t think we’ve had a better all-round player since. Alternative: Paul Gascoigne – 1988-1998 (57 caps, 10 goals)
CM – Paul Ince – 1992-2000 (53 caps, 2 goals)
For players such as Charlton and Gascoigne to thrive, then a ball winner such as Ince is required. The ex-United, Inter and Liverpool enforcer could put his foot in and, during the ‘90s, there wasn’t many better at it. Another great captain, his blood-soaked performance in Rome in ’97 made him the Terry Butcher for a new generation. Alternative: Nobby Stiles – 1965-1970 (28 caps, 1 goal)
Due to England’s lack of natural left-footed wingers, this was perhaps the toughest position to fill. Waddle, however, was one of the most talented footballers of his generation – adding flair and width to the England squads of the mid ’80s to early ’90s. One of the very few English players who could dribble past opponents with ease. Alternative: John Barnes – 1983-1995 (79 caps, 11 goals)
CM – Bobby Charlton – 1958-1970 (106 caps, 49 goals)
Another World Cup winner, Sir Bobby was another exceptional player. A midfielder who could run all day and score goals was worth their weight in gold. He played his part in ’66 – setting the benchmark for others to follow. Don’t think we’ve had a better all-round player since. Alternative: Paul Gascoigne – 1988-1998 (57 caps, 10 goals)
CM – Paul Ince – 1992-2000 (53 caps, 2 goals)
For players such as Charlton and Gascoigne to thrive, then a ball winner such as Ince is required. The ex-United, Inter and Liverpool enforcer could put his foot in and, during the ‘90s, there wasn’t many better at it. Another great captain, his blood-soaked performance in Rome in ’97 made him the Terry Butcher for a new generation. Alternative: Nobby Stiles – 1965-1970 (28 caps, 1 goal)
RM – David Beckham – 1996-2009 (115 caps, 17 goals)
Despite being the most famous player on the planet due to many off-field antics, the former captain does deserve his place due to his talents on the pitch. No one before, or since, could strike a dead ball quite like him – making his set pieces vital. He played with passion and desire when donning the England shirt, dragging the side over the line on more than one occasion. Alternative: Stanley Matthews – 1934-1957 (54 caps, 11 goals)
FW – Gary Lineker – 1984-1992 (80 caps, 48 goals)
With 10 goals, he holds the record for most goals scored in World Cups for England – winning the golden boot at Mexico ’86, then four more at Italia ’90. His prolific strike rate in the 1980s earned him a move to Barcelona – making him one of the worlds most feared strikers at both club and international level. Alternative: Jimmy Greaves – 1959-1967 (57 caps, 44 goals)
FW – Alan Shearer – 1992-2000 (63 caps, 30 goals)
Just as Lineker was retiring, Shearer was emerging on the international stage. With power and accuracy in abundance, he was the quintessential English centre-forward. During the mid-to-late ‘90s Shearer was one of the best finishers in world football. He was the golden boot winner at Euro ’96, then led the line well as captain at France ’98. Still the all-time Premier League goal scorer. Alternative: Wayne Rooney – 2003-present (111 caps, 52 goals, as of June 8th, 2016)
Despite being the most famous player on the planet due to many off-field antics, the former captain does deserve his place due to his talents on the pitch. No one before, or since, could strike a dead ball quite like him – making his set pieces vital. He played with passion and desire when donning the England shirt, dragging the side over the line on more than one occasion. Alternative: Stanley Matthews – 1934-1957 (54 caps, 11 goals)
FW – Gary Lineker – 1984-1992 (80 caps, 48 goals)
With 10 goals, he holds the record for most goals scored in World Cups for England – winning the golden boot at Mexico ’86, then four more at Italia ’90. His prolific strike rate in the 1980s earned him a move to Barcelona – making him one of the worlds most feared strikers at both club and international level. Alternative: Jimmy Greaves – 1959-1967 (57 caps, 44 goals)
FW – Alan Shearer – 1992-2000 (63 caps, 30 goals)
Just as Lineker was retiring, Shearer was emerging on the international stage. With power and accuracy in abundance, he was the quintessential English centre-forward. During the mid-to-late ‘90s Shearer was one of the best finishers in world football. He was the golden boot winner at Euro ’96, then led the line well as captain at France ’98. Still the all-time Premier League goal scorer. Alternative: Wayne Rooney – 2003-present (111 caps, 52 goals, as of June 8th, 2016)
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