The Lions Roar – It’s Richard Keys’ All-Time England XI
As England prepare to take on Ghana at Wembley, we asked Richard Keys to nominate the best XI ever to wear the Three Lions on their shirts. Here's his verdict...
Goalkeeper: Peter Shilton
Some people will argue that it should be Gordon Banks between the sticks, but Shilton’s longevity and his 125 caps means he has to be in this team, even ahead of the man who won the World Cup. For a long period of his career he shared the England goalkeeping duties with Ray Clemence, who may actually have been the better keeper, but you simply can’t argue with Shilts’ record. He was still performing in his 40s and that says it all about him.
Right-Back: Jimmy Armfield
Gentleman Jim was widely regarded as being the best right-back in the world during his playing days, and he would arguably have laid claim to that title in any age. George Cohen, of course, won a World Cup winners’ medal in 1966 but injury had ruled Jimmy out of that tournament and history might well have been different had that not been the case.
Centre-Back: Bobby Moore
He’s in and he’s captain. Enough said. One of the best defenders of his or any other generation, I can still see him with his blond locks striding out and leading from the front. He would never make a tackle if it meant he needed to get his shorts dirty, and he was also an impeccable reader of a pass. A true gent, one of the nicest men in the game, and an absolute legend both on and off the field.
Centre-Back: Billy Wright
If Shilts gets in for his 125 caps, then Wright has to be a shoo-in for making 105 appearances in the days when England played far fewer internationals than they do in the modern era. He captained England 90 times, a record he shares with Moore, including leading the team at three World Cup finals in 1950, 1954 and 1958. What a combination he and Mooro would be at the back.
Left-Back: Ashley Cole
A world class left-back, he’s been the best in his position for a number of years. Gets forward with real purpose, but can also be a terrier in defence where his pace and ability in a tight situation mark him out as a star. He might be an easy person for people to dislike, and I can understand why that is, but if you’re ever fortunate enough to spend some time in his company you’d realise he’s not the character he’s portrayed to be in the media. He just edges out Kenny Sansom in my team.
Right Midfield: Alan Ball
Part of that great Everton midfield of the late 60s and early 70s alongside Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey, Bally would provide real energy and inspiration on the right hand side. He was one of the stars of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning side, despite his tender age, and he showed the same enthusiasm and will to win throughout a 20-year playing career. He never gave less than 100 per cent and would ensure no-one in his team would either.
Centre Midfield: Bobby Charlton
Just like Bobby Moore, Charlton is an absolute must-have in any all-time England side. Displayed incredible spirit and determination to go on and have the career he had after the horror of the Munich Air Crash, an accident that still affects him emotionally whenever you speak to him. But he managed to put that behind him as he proved himself to be one of the all-time greats, driving forward from midfield and powering in those trademark pile-drivers from the edge of the area.
Centre Midfield: Bryan Robson
A true lion and one of the bravest players I’ve ever seen. A real leader, he drove on every team he played for with his unbreakable will to win and determination to succeed. But he was also a marvellous player who could do the lot – tackle, pass, read the game and, of course, he had a real eye for goal. A proper warrior.
Left Midfield: Tom Finney
Ideally, I would have liked to get him into the side on the right, but I’ve got to have Bally in there. The late, great Bill Shankly summed up how good he was far better than I ever could when he said: "Tom Finney would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age ... even if he had been wearing an overcoat." So how good was he? Well, he apparently could cross a ball into the box in a way that meant the lace would be facing away from the striker! And he keeps Sir Stanley Matthews out of my side. That’s how good he was.
Striker: Alan Shearer
One of the greatest strikers of the modern era, he still leads the Premier League scoring charts by miles and showed his class throughout his top-flight career with Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle. An absolute handful for any defence, not even two very serious knee injuries could dilute his threat. He had the lot.
Striker: Jimmy Greaves
Probably the most natural finisher I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. While Shearer was all about power, Greavsie used to pass the ball into the back of the net. A real predator in the penalty box, he had quick feet and even quicker instincts. Would almost certainly have been in England’s 1996 World Cup winning team if injury hadn’t ruled him out early in the tournament, opening the door for a certain Geoff Hurst.