|
|
Goalkeepers
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
David Seaman
|
(Arsenal), age 34, 39 caps.
|
|
Now fully recovered
from a broken finger which sidelined him for two months between
January and March and back to his best as Arsenal close in on a
possible league and Cup double. Joined Arsenal for $2.2 million from Queens Park Rangers in 1990 which was
then a record fee for an English goalkeeper. Coach Glenn
Hoddle's first choice and generally reliable.
|
| |
|
Nigel Martyn
|
(Leeds United), 31, 6 caps.
|
|
Vying with Tim
Flowers for the No. 2 goal-keeping spot, he played in
successive matches against Cameroon and Chile this season. Had
to wait four years to add to his first three caps before playing
against South Africa in a friendly last year.
|
| |
|
Tim Flowers
|
(Blackburn Rovers), 31, 10 caps.
|
|
No longer
automatically ranked as Seaman's understudy. Has only played
twice for England in the last two seasons in the Tournoi de
France against Italy and in a friendly against Switzerland.
Moved from Southampton to Blackburn for $4
million in 1993, still the record for an English keeper.
|
| |
|
Defenders
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Gary Neville
|
(Manchester United), 23, 25 caps.
|
|
In 1996 against China, they became
the first brothers to play together for England since Bobby and
Jack Charlton 26 years previously. Excellent tackler, with pace
and good distribution who has just enjoyed a good season with
Manchester United. Likely to captain England in the not too
distant future.
|
| |
|
Philip Neville
|
(Manchester United), 21, 10 caps.
|
|
Like his
brother, Gary, is now establishing himself in the England side.
Probably more versatile than Gary, he can play anywhere in the
back line and also looks set for a long international future.
|
| |
|
Gareth Southgate
|
(Aston Villa), 27, 23 caps.
|
|
Intelligent
central defender who will forever be remembered, in England at
least, for his failure to score in the semifinal shootout
against Germany which saw England eliminated from Euro '96.
Started at Crystal Palace before a move to Villa in 1995.
|
| |
|
Martin Keown
|
(Arsenal), 31, 17 caps.
|
|
Recalled to the England
side against Mexico in March 1997 for the first time in four
years but his England career was put back on hold when he broke
a shoulder playing against Brazil in last summer's Tournoi de
France. Tough man-marker who poses a threat at set-pieces and
like Seaman, when he is fit, a mainstay of Arsenal's
title-chasing team.
|
| |
|
Tony Adams
|
(Arsenal), 31, 50 caps.
|
|
"Mr. Arsenal" adored by
the Highbury fans has also won renewed respect from opposition
supporters for the way he has battled back from alcohol-related
problems and a spell in jail for drink driving. Solid and
dependable at the back, superb organizer and a real threat in
attack at set-pieces. Captained England during Euro '96.
|
| |
|
Andy Hinchcliffe
|
(Sheffield Wednesday), 29, 5 caps.
|
|
Almost
joined Tottenham after eight years at Everton, but instead
signed for Sheffield Wednesday in January. Deadly accurate at
free-kicks with his trusty left boot, consistently wins tackles
and an excellent, if unassuming, player.
|
| |
|
Sol Campbell
|
(Tottenham Hotspur), 23, 14 caps.
|
|
His form has
suffered during Tottenham's long fight against relegation this
season, but can be a robust, strong tackler who has
surprisingly quick reactions. If he regains his confidence
during the pre-World Cup build-up, he should partner Adams in
the starting lineup.
|
| |
|
Stuart Pearce
|
(Newcastle United), 36, 76 caps.
|
|
Once an
England regular who won the last of his 76 caps against Italy in
the Tournoi de France last June. Still as uncompromising as ever
but likely to be a just squad member now at best.
|
| |
|
Graeme Le Saux
|
(Chelsea), 29, 23 caps.
|
|
More of a wing-back
than an out-and-out defender these days, he has recovered from a
possible career-ending ankle injury and has had a fine season in
his second spell with Chelsea. Became the first player from the
Channel Islands to win a full England cap in 1994. Determined,
industrious and a good crosser.
|
| |
|
Midfielders
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Paul Ince
|
(Liverpool), 30, 38 caps.
|
|
The self-styled
"Guvnor," Ince likes nothing better than dominating the
midfield with his hard tackling and fierce competitive streak,
but there might be cracks appearing in the armor that did such a
good job for West Ham, Manchester United and Inter Milan in the
past. A definite starter in France, he gave an inspirational
captain's performance when England drew 0-0 with Italy in Rome
last October which clinched their place in the finals.
Discipline is still a serious problem.
|
| |
|
Nicky Butt
|
(Manchester United), 23, 5 caps.
|
|
A highly
competitive midfielder who made his England debut against Mexico
in March 1997 as a substitute and made three subsequent
substitute appearances before winning his first full cap against Switzerland this March. An outstanding player who can tackle
hard, distribute superbly -- and score goals at the end of
bursting runs from midfield.
|
| |
|
Paul Gascoigne
|
(Middlesbrough), 30 (31 on May 27), 54 caps.
|
|
Injury-prone, headline-prone maverick genius and the sole
survivor of England's last World Cup team in 1990. One of the top
English soccer enigmas of all time, turns 31 on May 27
buoyed with a new challenge at Middlesbrough after his recent
transfer from Glasgow Rangers. On his day a brilliant player who
can win a match with a flash of divine skill. On an off-day can
be a huge liability.
|
| |
|
David Beckham
|
(Manchester United), 23, 13 caps.
|
|
First spotted 12 years ago when he won a nationwide schoolboy's skills competition. By his own high standards he has not had the best of seasons, but is still an outstanding natural talent. Made his international debut in England's opening World Cup qualifier against Moldova in September 1996 and has played in most games since. Engaged to pop star "Posh" Spice Girl, Victoria Adams.
|
| |
|
Robert Lee
|
(Newcastle United), 31, 16 caps.
|
|
Provides an
excellent link with club mates David Batty and Alan Shearer for
England. Started his career as a right-winger for Charlton, but
has enjoyed great success as an attacking midfielder with
Newcastle. Scored on his international debut against Romania in
1994.
|
| |
|
David Batty
|
(Newcastle United), 29, 30 caps.
|
|
Terrier-like
midfielder who battles hard for every ball. Rarely loses
possession and tireless runner. Once had an on-field altercation
with fellow squad member Le Saux when they were both at
Blackburn. Hoddle revived his England career after injury forced
him out of Terry Venables' plans.
|
| |
|
Paul Merson
|
(Middlesbrough), 30, 17 caps.
|
|
Like his former
Arsenal colleague, Adams, Merson has battled back from personal
problems to re-build his career at international level. Moved
from Arsenal to Middlesbrough for $8.4
million last summer and has had an excellent season in the
first division. Wonderful natural talent allied to stamina and
speed, he loves to run at defenses from midfield, often cutting
in to score great goals.
|
| |
|
Steve McManaman
|
(Liverpool), 26, 20 caps.
|
|
Has sublime ball
control, excellent speed and is capable of creating chance after
chance in a match. Lacks the killer instinct in front of goal,
but an outstanding talent who has been linked with a move to
Barcelona throughout the season. Hoddle, though, seems to still
need convincing of his worth.
|
| |
|
Forwards
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Alan Shearer
|
(Newcastle United), 27, 38 caps.
|
|
His thunderous
second goal against Portugal on April 22 proved that he has
fully recovered from the serious ankle injury that ruled him out
for the first five months of the English season. A classic center
forward who can score goals of all types. Now with 18 in his 38
internationals, the England captain could be one of the stars of
France '98. Set a world transfer record of $25.1 million when he moved from Blackburn to Newcastle after
finishing as top scorer with five goals in Euro '96. Made his
first-team debut for Southampton when he was 17.
|
| |
|
Teddy Sheringham
|
(Manchester United), 32, 32 caps.
|
|
What he
lacks in speed he makes up for in his intelligent runs and
visionary passing. He works particularly well with
Shearer. Made a bright start at Manchester United following his
summer transfer from Tottenham as Eric Cantona's replacement,
but his form has dipped since mid-December.
|
| |
|
Paul Scholes
|
(Manchester United), 23, 6 caps.
|
|
Dangerous in
front of goal with the in-built knack of all great scorers,
being in the right place at the right time. Has scored three
times for England already and like his young United team mates,
looks destined for a long international future. Long-standing
knee injury hampers his chances.
|
| |
|
Ian Wright
|
(Arsenal), 34, 29 caps.
|
|
Arsenal's all-time record
scorer has not started a match since January 14 because of an
injury which could yet cost him a place in the squad. Revealed
last year he had been to counseling to try to curb his hot
temper that has caused him so many on-field problems. A superb,
intuitive player with a back catalogue of great goals to his
credit. Immensely popular with fans and team mates.
|
| |
|
Andy Cole
|
(Manchester United), 26, 2 caps.
|
|
Enigmatic and
moody, he had a superb spell scoring almost at will in
mid-season. Yet although he has scored 25 goals this season, he
has never quite justified his $11.7 million move from Newcastle to Manchester United in 1995. Reserve role at
best.
|
| |
|
Michael Owen
|
(Liverpool), 18, 3 caps.
|
|
The revelation of the
season in England, he became England's youngest international
this century when he made his debut against Chile in February.
Unbelievably fast with a deadly finisher's eye, has been
described as the best natural goal scorer in England since Jimmy
Greaves. Is likely to be used as a substitute in France --
opposition defenses should be warned.
|
