A hypothetical England "golden generation" question
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?
Comments
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Paul Scholes... Wouldnt pick anyone else above the current lot
He'd be perfect in the Dele Alli role10 -
I'd drop Kyle Walker for Rio Ferdinand.0
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If I was change the Defence then it would be Walker for John Terry0
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Paul Scholes all day long.0
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As said above, a creative midfielder like Scholes would push the team up a level. His ability to pick out a pass and score some screamers would be a huge boon.
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Michael Owen (in his prime) would also be a good replacement for Sterling if your only picking one player
Him and Kane would be lethal0 -
lol you can only pick one @ForeverAddickted!! Like I said it's not as easy and clear cut a question when you really think about it is it!ForeverAddickted said:Michael Owen (in his prime) would also be a good replacement for Sterling if your only picking one player
Him and Kane would be lethal0 -
Would still go with my original answer of Scholes over AlliManicmania said:
lol you can only pick one @ForeverAddickted!! Like I said it's not as easy and clear cut a question when you really think about it is it!ForeverAddickted said:Michael Owen (in his prime) would also be a good replacement for Sterling if your only picking one player
Him and Kane would be lethal0 -
Beckham. Good player and we lack a top drawer set piece specialist. More importantly, a fine leader who beer good and lead by example.
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.2 -
I'd go for Lampard instead of Dele
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?0 - Sponsored links:
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Nah Beckham would be the last one I'd pickMrLargo said:Beckham. Good player and we lack a top drawer set piece specialist. More importantly, a fine leader who beer good and lead by example.
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.
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!!1 -
Chris Powell
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Another one for Beckham.
With the amount of free kicks Kane wins in and around the box he would be in his element.2 -
I thought Beckham as well initially with set pieces in mind, but I wasn't really sure how you would fit him into the 3-5-2, and I agree it would be made all about him and there would probably be a bit of a disconnect between himself and the other players in terms of the team spirit and togetherness this team has created.1
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The one thing this team lacks is a little creativity in the middle. Beckham playing on the right of a midfield 3 would be good. Otherwise as others have said, Scholes up in behind Kane.1
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Its why I wouldnt have considered Rio Ferdinand | Steven Gerrard | Frank Lampard as the player to come into this squad eitherManicmania said:I thought Beckham as well initially with set pieces in mind, but I wasn't really sure how you would fit him into the 3-5-2, and I agree it would be made all about him and there would probably be a bit of a disconnect between himself and the other players in terms of the team spirit and togetherness this team has created.
I respect their honesty but those were the three who have admitted putting club before country2 -
Heskey in for anyone.
Just for shits and giggles.4 -
What about Shearer as the man to come into the current team (Was still playing for England in 2000)?
Would people have him alongside Kane or would they get in each others way?0 -
Scholes - he would not only walk into this England team, he would also walk in to any other team in this tournament.0
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Maybe in his later years.Manicmania said:I thought Beckham as well initially with set pieces in mind, but I wasn't really sure how you would fit him into the 3-5-2, and I agree it would be made all about him and there would probably be a bit of a disconnect between himself and the other players in terms of the team spirit and togetherness this team has created.
Consider this. The average age of the England squad is 26.
This is what Beckham was doing aged 26.
https://youtu.be/d0NcpkRDbus 1 - Sponsored links:
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Scholes, not even any question. Despite not really liking him he was the only England player who would walk into any top European team. One of the true world class players we've had, especially in the role he played.0
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Yeah put him in for Kane... If anything it'll confuse the opposition so they wont know how to handle usA-R-T-H-U-R said:Heskey in for anyone.
Just for shits and giggles.
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Rooney would fit anywhere in behind Kane, but Scholes is a good call. Ferdinand also a good shout at the back. But I think I'd have to go for the ex-Charlton player of the year, Scott Carson.0
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Jeffers for Kane. The stats speak for themselves.4
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Parker instead of Henderson,
Rio instead of Walker,
or Scholes instead of Alli / Lingard.
Hard to choose just one.0 -
Ashley Cole in for Young. Need a left footer in that position3
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We have one - he's called Danny Rose.maidstoneaddick said:Ashley Cole in for Young. Need a left footer in that position
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Graeme Le Saux. Left wing back is our weakest position.0
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If we are looking at a golden generation left back then it could only be Cole.SantaClaus said:Graeme Le Saux. Left wing back is our weakest position.
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Sure but we're not playing full backs and Cole wasn't that good going forward.bobmunro said:
If we are looking at a golden generation left back then it could only be Cole.SantaClaus said:Graeme Le Saux. Left wing back is our weakest position.
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