Had an interesting conversation in the pub the other night just wondering what peoples thoughts were on here;
If you could import just ONE player from England's oft talked about "golden generation" into the current England team who would it be and why?
Heard lots of good answers (and some bad!) and ways certain players could slot in and improve the team, and it turns out for me and my group of mates it wasn't as clear cut and easy a question as you might first think.
The only rules I have are, it can be one player ONLY, they have to have played for England at some time between 2000-2010, the player would be considered at their peak now, and you cannot change the current system so they would have to slot straight into the 3-5-2 formation that Southgate is using.
Would be really interesting in seeing what people think, but bare in mind we aren't just talking about footballing ability, but things like mentality, mental strength off field and on, leadership (perhaps?) and how they would fit in with the team and the manager both tactically and personality wise.
Any thoughts?
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He'd be perfect in the Dele Alli role
Him and Kane would be lethal
Aside from him, the rest of the stars of that generation, particularly the ones at Man U, Chelsea and Liverpool, can sod off. Couldn't put aside their club differences for the benefit of the national team and create an environment where success was impossible. Scandalous how little we achieved with so many world class players in the same squad.
or
Ferdinand instead of any of the back three
or
Gerard instead of Henderson
Any one of those would improve the team.
Of more interest is, could you swap any of the current team for the '66 team? You'd have to say Kane is a better striker than Hurst but you couldn't take out Hurst knowing what he did so Kane instead of Hunt, maybe one of the full backs, or Stones in place of Jack Charlton?
Was a good Captain on the pitch yet needed to be stronger off the pitch (i.e. Club v Country issues) - He was also more interested in himself I feel looking back rather than helping the team, i.e. wanting the most caps as would help his image...
Take the penalty he scored in 2002 against Argentina, I know it was relief from four years prior yet goes off holding his number trying to remind everyone who personally scored - Same with this World Cup, he's been quiet the whole time yet now appears to be jumping on the bandwagon (making sure everyone knew he was at the Belgium game) now we're doing better!!
Chris Powell
With the amount of free kicks Kane wins in and around the box he would be in his element.
I respect their honesty but those were the three who have admitted putting club before country
Just for shits and giggles.
Would people have him alongside Kane or would they get in each others way?
Consider this. The average age of the England squad is 26.
This is what Beckham was doing aged 26.
Rio instead of Walker,
or Scholes instead of Alli / Lingard.
Hard to choose just one.