2. Stephen Warnock – World Cup 2010
Warnock was never a bad player, he was solid and dependable at Blackburn, and enjoyed a solid debut season with Aston Villa, but his inclusion in the squad to travel to South Africa was most surprising.
Travelling as Ashley Cole’s deputy, he was deemed as a better option that Everton’s Leighton Baines, who is now beginning to overtake Cole as the side’s first choice left-back. One of Fabio Capello’s many blunders during his time in charge.
1. Theo Walcott – World Cup 2006
When fit Walcott is one of the first names on the Three Lions team sheet, but back in 2006 he was just a 17-year-old kid who had yet to play a game for new club Arsenal.
His inclusion divided opinions all over the country, with one half seeing him as a passenger, taking up a spot that someone else had earned, whilst others saw him as a wildcard, an unknown quantity who could provide a spark when the chips are down.
Sadly, he proved to be the former, and five years later he has still yet to make an appearance at a World Cup.