A lot has been said about England and their lack of passion and pride when they pull on an England shirt. It seems to a lot of people that the current crop of England stars work harder, play better and seem to give a lot more for their respected clubs than they ever do for their country. As an outsider looking in this could be seen to be the case. However I just don't think we are good enough, although I do think that unfortunately these days your club does come first, mainly because of the high wages these players are paid. The thing is years ago it was seen as a privilege to play for you country, maybe nowadays for some it is more of a necessary job that comes with being a professional footballer. I hope this is not the case, but will we ever really know one way or another.
With this argument in mind I have decided to pick an England 11 based on players since 1990 who have played for their country and have been literally dripping with pride.
Although from another era Shilts is the only choice as the number 1.
He still to this day loses sleep over Maradonna's hand of god goal in 1986. Played in 3 world cups and didn't disgrace himself in any of them, as long as you don't count his moment of madness in the 3rd/4th place play off in 1990 against Italy.
A man who has never been afraid to show his passion for either his club or his country. Some people may not like him because of who he is, but even now in his role in the modern England set up as part of the coaching staff, you can see him kicking every ball on the sidelines, wishing he was still in the thick of it on the pitch.
Just look at the picture on the left and tell me this man has no pride.
This man is not just full of passion and pride he is an absolute maniac.
A man that doesn't let a little thing like having half your head falling off stop you completing 90 minutes for your country. Just look at his eyes, he probably loved it.
Adams had his critics over the years, but what England would give for a defender like him nowadays. Not just a stopper but this bloke could play a bit as well. Oh and another thing if you ever get a chance to see any games in Euro 96, just have a look at how loud this man is belting out the national anthem.
Psycho. The nickname says it all. The way Pearce came back from the pain of the penalty miss against Germany in 1990 and the disappointment of not qualifying for the world cup in 1994, to step up and bang home a penalty versus Spain at Euro 96 shows the character of this man. Seeing him shouting and screaming after that converted penalty still gives me goose bumps.
Here is a type player we haven't had for many a year now, a player that does all the dirty stuff in midfield but also instinctively knows when it's time to go forward. Love him or hate him there can be no question that when the Gov'ner put on the three lions he would only ever give 100%.
Captain marvel or captain fantastic, call him what you will but you knew what you would get from this box to box midfielder when he wore that England shirt. My memories of always seemed to be of him being walked of the pitch with his arm in a sling. Injuries aside he was a real leader and he lead by example. A real battler who would always nick a goal or two.
What can you say about Gazza that hasn't already been said a million times over. This bloke would give his left bollock to play for England, and if that weren't good enough he would give you someone elses too.
His tears were there for all to see, as was his passion every time he played football, whether it was for England or just a kick about in his back garden. The most gifted and exciting player England have produced in my lifetime. Just Gazza.
After France in 1998 David Beckham would have been the last name considered for this team, but as we all know after the 2-2 draw with Greece in 2001 where |Beckham took on the Greeks seemingly all by himself and dragged us through to the world cup finals in 2002, how can he not be in it.
This was the hardest position to pick for on the pitch, not only have we never really been gifted with great wide players, but a wide player with passion? Waddle was heartbroken after that penalty, and unfortunately for him he never had the chance to redeem himself as Stuart Pearce did in 1996. If he had of had the chance I am sure his celebration would have been just as powerful as Psycho's.
Gary Lineker got his debut for England as a player who played for an unfashionable team Leicester City. I don't think anyone can dispute his passion whenever he turned out for England. Even now as a presenter he still shows the same passion as a supporter and you can see his disappointment every tournament when England fail to deliver yet again.
Maybe in the future we will get another prolific striker from another unfashionable club, who plays football just because he loves scoring goals.
That's my eleven and I am sure you will agree that if that team took the field in this tournament, there wouldn't be any question about pride or passion.
I would like to mention as well David Platt and Peter Beardsley who I also believe would get into this team.
Shearer and Scholes in my book retired to young from international football, and although they obviously had pride and passion, there decision to choose club over country means they don't get in.
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