Channel4.com Text Only

[ Text Only: Homepage ]
[ Graphical: Channel4 Homepage ]

| Home | Player Profiles | Graphical: England's Dream Team Homepage |

ENGLAND'S DREAM TEAM

Player Profiles: Central Midfielders

PLAYER:Glenn Hoddle

BORN:Hayes, 1957

TEAMS:Tottenham Hotspur, Monaco

CAPS:53, 8 goals

One of the most gifted players ever to put on an England shirt, many thought he was under-appreciated by his country. His elegant passing and range of skills were a delight to watch, which is just as well if you've ever heard him talk. Never fulfilled his potential for England, but with 53 caps it's unfair to say he didn't get the chance. One more thing to bear in mind: Diamond Nights.

PLAYER:Alan Mullery

BORN:Notting Hill, 1941

TEAMS:Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham

CAPS:35, 1 goal

Mullers achieved infamy as the first player to be sent off wearing an England shirt, but in his day job he was a simple and effective footballer. A combative defensive midfielder who protected the back four, he was named Footballer of the Year in 1975 whilst taking Fulham to the FA Cup Final. Would be considered the 'holding player' these days but did the job without the fancy title in the 60s and 70s.

PLAYER:Bobby Charlton

BORN:Ashington, 1937

TEAMS:Manchester United

CAPS:106, 49 goals

Still England's record goal scorer and he wasn't even a striker, in the modern sense. Bobby Charlton didn't just invent the comb-over, he could also shoot from distance and had an amazing range of passing with either foot. Recognised around the world for his grace and athleticism he epitomised the Corinthian spirit with his modesty and honesty. And he couldn't half bladder a ball...

PLAYER:Bryan Robson

BORN:Chester-le-Street, 1957

TEAMS:West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United

CAPS:90, 26 goals

Big Ron pushed the boat out to sign Captain Marvel from West Brom some time before the combative midfielder developed the ability to injure himself just through the power of thought. He was a fearsome tackler and an inspirational leader of men, with an eye for goal and a liking for a pint. He captained England 64 times, often without getting injured at all, and they were always the poorer for his absence.

PLAYER:David Beckham

POSITION:Right Midfield

BORN:Leytonstone, 1975

TEAMS:Manchester United, Real Madrid

CAPS:66, 13 goals

The man who single-handedly dragged England kicking (and screaming) to Japan and Korea in 2002. While Beckham is famous for his deadly free kicks, his contribution to the team is far greater than that. He's also very good looking. He has lovely hair and is a really nice person. He loves his wife and is a really good dad. He wears really cool designer gear and isn't afraid of his feminine side. He's a throwback to the future.

PLAYER:Duncan Edwards

BORN:Dudley, 1936

TEAMS:Manchester United

CAPS:18, 5 goals

Duncan Edwards was only 21 when he died from injuries sustained in the Munich air crash, yet already at this tender age he had won the league twice and earned 18 caps for England. Edwards made his Manchester United debut at 16 and his skill and drive epitomised the Busby Babes. Tommy Docherty once said he was better than Best, Pele and Maradona - although to be fair Docherty has said an awful lot of things...

PLAYER:Johnny Haynes

BORN:Kentish Town, 1934

TEAMS:Fulham

CAPS:56, 18 goals

Johnny Haynes caused a storm when he became the first player to be paid �100 a week after the maximum wage was scrapped. An attacking midfielder, Haynes played nearly 600 games for his only club, Fulham. He was considered one of the best passers in the game as England's creative force in the 50s and 60s. He was full of imagination and vision, of which the most frequent beneficiary was Jimmy Greaves.

PLAYER:Kevin Keegan

BORN:Doncaster, 1951

TEAMS:Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton

CAPS:63, 21 goals

Little Kev has always been a passionate soul, playing the game with enthusiasm and a fetching bubble perm. Being twice named European Footballer of the Year is some achievement, but well deserved for his mixture and commitment and ability. A man of strange departures, his England career was over prematurely after only 26 minutes of World Cup football. (Best departure: smacking Billy Bremner after being sent off in the Charity Shield. Different class.)

PLAYER:Paul Scholes

BORN:Salford, 1974

TEAMS:Manchester United

CAPS:60, 13 goals

Scholesy gets on with doing a world-class job with the minimum of fuss. He has a terrific eye for a pass, makes great runs into the box and is a deadly finisher. Curiously for a midfielder, however, he tackles like a farmer. An automatic pick in Sven's England despite a recent series of anonymous performances, fans will be hoping he packs his scoring boots along with his Factor 98 sunblock for Portugal 2004.

PLAYER:Paul Gascoigne

BORN:Gateshead, 1957

TEAMS:Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough

CAPS:57, 10 goals

Given his international reputation it's amazing to think that Gascoigne was only at his peak for a few short years before a cocktail of injury, alcohol, fags and kebabs eroded his glorious talent. One of England's most gifted ever players, Gazza shone brightly and briefly. Who can forget his tears? Or his offending of Norway? From his dentist chair antics to his goal against Scotland - daft as a brush and as bright as a button.

PLAYER:Paul Ince

BORN:Ilford, 1967

TEAMS:West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolves

CAPS:53, 2 goals

The Guvnor, as they used to call him. Well, as he used to call himself... Despite his fondness for this ludicrous moniker, he was a great player to have on your side. A tough tackler protecting the back four, his energy in driving sides on was legendary. His never-say-die attitude was never more evident than when he captained England in their famous victory over Italy in 98. Has one of the best scowls in football.

PLAYER:Nobby Stiles

BORN:Manchester, 1942

TEAMS:Manchester United

CAPS:28, 1 goal

The Toothless Tiger was the engine room behind England's 66 success. His acquaintance with opponents' shins was frequent and rarely welcomed but was invaluable to the team. The press were critical, suggesting he should be dropped for a less aggressive footballer, but Sir Alf would have none of it. Nobby's job was simply to win the ball and give it to Bobby Charlton and he did his job very well.

PLAYER:Steven Gerrard

BORN:Whiston, 1980

TEAMS:Liverpool

CAPS:21, 3 goals

Still a baby in international terms, England have yet to lose when Gerard has been in the side. A great driving captain for Liverpool, his long passing and tenacity are exceptional. Is prone to the odd ugly mistimed tackle (cue chants of 'You'll Never Walk Again'), but provides more than enough beautiful moments to make up for it - like the strike that put England ahead in the 5-1 rout of Germany.

PLAYER:David Platt

POSITION:Midfield

BORN:Chadderton, 1966

TEAMS:Aston Villa, Bari, Juventus, Sampdoria, Arsenal

CAPS:62, 27 goals

Platty, as he must be known, had an incredible career in the top flights of England and Italy. Incredible, because it seemed to come from nowhere. He was a decent Villa midfielder when he collected his eighth cap (his seventh as a substitute) by coming on against Belgium in Italia 90. His swivelled winning volley had a difficulty rating of ten - and his career then proceeded to go bonkers. As did we.

PLAYER:Matt Le Tissier

BORN:Guernsey, 1968

TEAMS:Southampton

CAPS:8

Le Tiss was extravagantly talented but with an admirably un-athletic attitude to tracking back, tackling and, according to opposition fans, all the pies. He scored so many unforgettable goals for the Saints that England had to call him up. However, the chances of England carrying someone gifted but work-shy were slim, unlike himself, and he was ultimately deprived of the wider glory that his sumptuous skills deserved.

PLAYER:Ray Wilkins

POSITION:Midfield

BORN:Hillingdon, 1956

TEAMS:Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan

CAPS:84, 3 goals

Not many people call him 'Butch' any more, but in the 70s it didn't even raise a snigger. Ah, those innocent days... Wilkins was a prodigious young talent at Chelsea before Manchester United bought him and he learnt to pass sideways. He earned the nickname the Crab for his lack of directness but his excellent distribution made him an England regular for ten, albeit fruitless, years. Super player, as the man himself might say.

PLAYER:Trevor Brooking

BORN:Barking, 1948

TEAMS:West Ham United

CAPS:47, 5 goals

A true gentleman of the game, Trevor couldn't tackle, head the ball or swear at people. But he was a graceful passer and a pleasure to watch. A one-club loyalist, Brooking's sublime touch and vision gave quality to an otherwise hard working England midfield. Along with Keegan, he missed out on all but a few minutes of the World Cup. Now boasts a superb, albeit brief, record as manager at his beloved West Ham.

PLAYER:Frank Lampard Jr

BORN:Romford, 1978

TEAMS:West Ham United, Chelsea

CAPS:17, 1 goal

Probably the most improved player in the Premiership this year, Frank Lampard is developing into a complete midfielder. Just keeping his place in a Chelsea squad that includes Pele, Maradona and Best is remarkable enough, but to thrive and put Paul Scholes under pressure for his England place is testament to his progress. A good passer with a keen eye for goal, is confounding all those critics who thought him an overrated donkey.

[ Text Only: Homepage ]
[ Graphical: Channel4 Homepage ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Access Advice ]

[ HTML 4.01 TR Approved ]