Think about this one, if you could pick ONE England player from any time in history to join up with super Woy’s squad in France this summer, then who would you pick? Would you go for a defensive warrior like Tony Adams? Would you go for midfield flair in Paul Gascoigne or Matt Le Tissier? Or would you want a striker, like Alan Shearer? We’ll give you some options and let us know who you’d pick, or comment below with who you would have chosen. We’ve deliberately ignored members of the 1966 World Cup winning team otherwise it would be too easy!
David Seaman, 1988-2002, 75 caps, Goalkeeper
Not many English fans will forget David Seaman, with that long flopping ponytail and those ghastly goalkeeping kits from the 1990s. He was most recently seen in Soccer Aid, but also known as the keeper who faced THAT Ronaldinho free kick in the 2002 World Cup. Was he better in his prime than Joe Hart is now?
Gary Neville, 1995-2007, 85 caps, Right Back
England have been crying out for a right back since Neville retired, meaning that he’d be a strong favourite to make this squad. A member of the Class of 92 and was a magnificent defender when he played. Injury halted his career.
Tony Adams, 1987-2000, 66 caps, Centre Back
The current England side is defensively frail and Adams would be a brilliant contender to come in and sure it up. The captain of the Arsenal title winning teams of the 1990s, the defensive leader would be a great addition to the current side.
David Beckham, 1996-2009, 115 caps, Midfielder
Just remember how the nation held its breath in 2002 when Beckham was stretchered off the pitch just before the World Cup. The current England midfield has an abundance of riches, but would he be able to force his way in?
Matt Le Tissier, 1994-1997, 8 caps, Midfielder
A strange choice in comparison to the rest of this list, however le God was one of the most gifted footballers of all time, would he have done better if he’d simply played in a different era? Almost certainly yes.
Paul Gascoigne, 1988-1998, 57 caps, Midfielder
Gazza was an absolute magician with a football at his feet and his tears in the defeat at Italia 90 still aren’t forgotten. Glenn Hoddle chose not to pick him for the 1998 World Cup and Gazza never pulled on an England shirt again. He’ll still go down as one of England’s all-time greats.
Alan Shearer, 1992-2000, 63 caps, Striker
An absolute God in Newcastle, Shearer was top scorer in Euro 1996 with five goals and was listed in the team of the tournament. England have a great strike force for Euro 2016, but are any of them better than Shearer was?
