Wayne Rooney takes his place in England’s greatest ever XI…
England captain Wayne Rooney earned his 100th Three Lions cap on Saturday, and at the age of 29 he seems likely to surpass both his country’s appearances and goal scoring records.
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Here comes CaughtOffside’s all time England XI, including the latest centurion:
GK) Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks was a World Cup winner in 1966, and his displays throughout the tournament that summer were enough to seal his legend. He also played his part in one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments – that save from Pele’s header in 1970.
RB) Gary Neville
Gary Neville was one of the finest right-backs of his generation and, in England terms, surely the greatest his country has produced. Throughout his career, Neville was the first choice in his position, featuring in the 1998 and 2006 World Cups.
LB) Ashley Cole
While Stuart Pearce might argue, the former Chelsea and Arsenal man was the near perfect full-back throughout his England career. Cole’s defensive ability and threat in attack were rare, and his appearances at three World Cups outline how influential he has been for his country.
CB) Bobby Moore
When fans discuss football in England and the legacy left by those who have donned the Three Lions jersey, Bobby Moore’s name is often the first to be mentioned. The only captain to lift the World Cup for his country, Moore’s legend and character epitomise everything that is great about English football.
CB) John Terry
John Terry has been a warrior for club and country. His international career may have ended in somewhat unfortunate circumstances in 2012, but that shouldn’t damage his legacy as an outstanding defender.
CM) Paul Gascoigne
We all remember those tears from Italia ’90 when the realisation he would miss the final had England qualified got the better of Paul Gascoigne. Twenty-four years on, that moment still puts a lump in the throat. It’s what Gazza was all about—passion for his country best articulated by his ability with a football.
CM) Bryan Robson
Captained England 65 times during his 90 international goals and scored an impressive 26 goals between his debut in 1980 and 1991. Iconic manager Sir Bobby Robson stated that his namesake was, along with Alan Shearer, the best British player he ever worked with.
RM) Stanley Matthews
Featuring in England’s 1954 World Cup squad—then aged 38—Sir Stanley Matthews enjoyed a 23-year career representing his country, unrivalled by any other player before or since. His speed and agility is the stuff of legend, and the fact that he continued playing well into his 40s outlines what a talent he had.
LM) Bobby Charlton
With all the attention on Geoff Hurst and his World Cup final hat-trick, Sir Bobby Charlton is overlooked at times when it comes to his England heroics. The fact that he still leads his country’s scoring charts with 49 goals—44 years after his retirement from international football—says it all.
ST) Wayne Rooney
Despite still being 29, Rooney moved to 100 England caps this weekend, and will surely surpass the record of 125 held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton. His successful spot kick against Slovenia also moves him joint third on the all-time goalscoring list, with just Gary Lineker and Bobby Charlton left to surpass.
ST) Gary Lineker
The former Everton and Barcelona front man led the line for England at Mexico ’86 and Italia ’90, scoring vital goals along the way. Indeed, he picked up the Golden Boot in 1986 for his six goals despite England’s premature exit, and he scored a further four in Italy, including a fine effort against West Germany in the semi-final.
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