England’s ‘Golden Generation’ featured former Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal stars, as well as a well-known recent Everton signing.
England’s Golden Generation
When you look through some of the names of the players who made their England debuts between the mid 1990’s and early 2000’s, it’s still hard to believe the furthest they managed to progress in any tournament was the Quarter-Finals. The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes achieved so much at club level, and were such outstanding individuals, but as a group, the ‘Golden Generation’ never threatened to win a major tournament.
There are probably 30 or more players who could be put in the bracket of England’s Golden Generation, but we have whittled that down to a best XI in the interests of brevity. It speaks volumes about the strength of England’s squad during this time then, that the likes of Sol Campbell, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole all miss out.
David James
Thierry Henry fouled by David James Euro 2004
David James is a fairly safe shout between the sticks, with Paul Robinson the only other real candidate. Despite being mostly a very good club level goalkeeper, James was given the unenviable nickname ‘Calamity James’. He won 53 caps for England, his final appearances coming in the 4-1 defeat to Germany at the 2010 World Cup. The 46-year-old is now a regular pundit on BT Sport.
Gary Neville
It’s another easy decision at right-back, with Gary Neville being one of England’s greatest full-backs. He is the countries most capped right-back with 85 Three Lions appearances and he won eight Premier League titles and two Champions League’s during a 19 year career spent solely with Manchester United. Neville is the co-owner of Salford City and following an unsuccessful stint managing in Spain, he is now back working as a pundit for Sky Sports.
Rio Ferdinand
A really complete defender with excellent reading of the game, strong aerial ability and the confidence to bring the ball out from the back. He was twice transferred for huge sums, firstly to Leeds United and then Manchester United. He would win six league titles with the latter. Ferdinand won 81 caps for England, and also currently works as a pundit for BT Sport.
John Terry
Chelsea legend John Terry
The first player in this XI who is still active, John Terry had spent his entire 19 year career contracted to Chelsea up until his transfer to Aston Villa this summer. A Blues legend who won 17 trophies at Stamford Bridge, almost all as captain, Terry won 78 caps for England. A born leader with exceptional positional sense, Terry will be plying his trade in the Championship next season with Aston Villa.
Ashley Cole
One of the most vilified members of England’s Golden Generation, primarily for off-field reasons, Ashley Cole was actually one of very few players to replicate their club form in an England shirt. The most capped English full-back of all-time, Cole was the best left-back in the world for much of his career. Having been part of Arsenal’s Invincibles, Cole left the Gunners to have further success with Chelsea. The 36-year-old now plays in the MLS for LA Galaxy.
David Beckham
England’s third most capped player of all-time and a former captain, from the red card against Argentina to the free-kick against Greece, David Beckham had an international career with so many ups and downs. At club level, Becks most notably starred for Manchester United and Real Madrid. The 1999 Ballon d’Or runner-up and free-kick specialist is now in process of launching his own MLS franchise alongside his numerous other business and charity interests.
Frank Lampard
By far the highest scoring midfielder in Premier League history, Frank Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time top scorer. A three-time Premier League winner and one-time Champions League winner, Lampard won 106 caps for England, scoring 29 goals for his country. The former West Ham man retired in February 2017 after leaving New York City and is currently acquiring his coaching badges whilst doing various TV work.
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes celebrates scoring for England
The debate between Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard rumbles on despite the fact all three have now called an end to their playing careers. Ultimately, they could never quite find the right balance for England. Scholes himself was a very intelligent player who spent 19 years controlling games in Manchester United’s midfield, winning eleven Premier League titles, two Champions League’s and twelve other trophies. The former England man is now a co-owner of Salford City and has done sporadic punditry and writing about the game.
Steven Gerrard
Given the brilliance of the aforementioned trio, someone had to be pushed out wide left, and that someone is Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool legend was a complete midfielder who could run, pass, tackle and shoot. A great leader, Gerrard captained the Reds for 12 years, winning the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup twice and the League Cup three times. The midfielder won 114 caps for England and recently became academy coach at Liverpool.
Michael Owen
It could be argued that a number of players from the Golden Generation had greater careers than Michael Owen, but none were as exciting when they first burst onto the scene. During his time at Liverpool, he had electric pace, a fearlessly direct approach and wonderful movement. He scored 158 goals in 297 games for Liverpool, going on to play for Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City. He scored 40 goals from 89 caps for England, and now works as both a pundit and racehorse breeder.
Wayne Rooney
Former Manchester United and current Everton forward Wayne Rooney
Six years Michael Owen’s junior, England fans never really got the chance to see Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen firing together, due to Owen’s injury troubles and early decline. Perennially under and over-rated, the history books will show Rooney to be England and Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, some achievement. The only player in this XI still available for England, Rooney just left the Red Devils for his boyhood club Everton, where he will hope to breath new life into his career.
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