Who have been the best England World Cup players? This has always been a difficult question to answer but now we may have the definitive answer from Opta. Their experts have analysed the stats from all the World Cup tournaments since 1966 and have come up with the best players in each position together with a Second XL.
Have a look and see how they compare with my earlier assessment of the best England Footballers.
(Source of information Opta Index and Mail on Sunday Live Magazine, numbers not actual playing numbers)
1. Gordon Banks – 9 appearances at 2 World Cups in 1966 and 1970, a career cut short by a tragic accident.
2 . George Cohen – 6 appearances in 1966.
3. Ashley Cole - 10 appearances in 2002 and 2006, the only member of the 2010 squad to make the team!
4. Mark Wright – 6 appearances in 1990 and not someone I would have thought of, but the stats cannot lie!
5. Bobby Moore – 10 appearances in 1966 and 1970, England World Cup winning captain who just had to be there. (I know he wore no 6)
6.Martin Peters – 9 appearances in 1966 and 1970. Stylish West Ham midfielder.
7 David Beckham – 13 appearances 1998, 2002, 2006, I suppose he just had to be there given his longevity, sadly not to be there this year.
8. Alan Ball – 8 appearances in 1966 and 1970, industrious midfielder and another World Cup winner.
9 Bobby Charlton – 10 appearances in 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970. Great scorer of stylish goals and a Geordie lad to boot.
10. Gary Lineker – 12 appearances in 86 and 90, one of England’s most consistent scorers.
11 Geoff Hurst – 6 appearances in 66 and 70, another West Ham man and another World Cup winner.
The Subs bench
Peter Shilton, Kenny Samson, Jackie Charlton, Terry Butcher, Gary Stevens, Paul Scholes, Paul Gascoine, Glenn Hoddle, Bryan Robson, Michael Owen, Roger Hunt.
Interesting stuff.
