BENNY'S VALUABLE INFORMATION OF THE WEEK

As we approach the World Cup in South Africa, how experienced are England’s players?

Today, I took a look at the most capped players of all time and also look at how much of the current squad can be classed as vastly experienced internationals.

In addition, I also take a look at some goal scoring statistics of the national team.


ENGLAND’S 25 MOST CAPPED PLAYERS

Name Clubs Caps Years

Peter Shilton Leicester, Stoke, Nottm Forest, 125 1970-1990
Southampton, Derby
David Beckham Man Utd, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy 115 1996-
AC Milan
Bobby Moore West Ham Utd 108 1962-1973
Bobby Charlton Manchester United 106 1958-1970
Billy Wright Wolverhampton Wanderers 105 1946-1959
Bryan Robson WBA, Man Utd 90 1980-1991
Michael Owen Liverpool, Real Madrid,Newcastle89 1998-
Kenny Sansom Crystal Palace, Arsenal 86 1979-1988
Gary Neville Manchester United 85 1995-
Ray Wilkins Chelsea, Man Utd, AC Milan 84 1976-1986
Gary Lineker Leicester, Everton, Barcelona 80 1984-1992
Tottenham
John Barnes Watford, Liverpool 79 1983-1995
Steven Gerrard Liverpool 79 2000-
Frank Lampard West Ham, Chelsea 78 1999-
Stuart Pearce Nottingham Forest, West Ham 78 1987-1999
Terry Butcher Ipswich, Glasgow Rangers 77 1980-1990
Ashley Cole Arsenal, Chelsea 77 2001-
Rio Ferdinand West Ham, Leeds, Man Utd 76 1997-
Tom Finney Preston North End 76 1946-1958
David Seaman QPR, Arsenal 75 1988-2002
Gordon Banks Leicester City, Stoke City 73 1963-1972
Sol Campbell Tottenham, Arsenal, Portsmouth 73 1996-
Alan Ball Blackpool, Everton Arsenal 72 1965-1975
Martin Peters West Ham, Tottenham 67 1966-1974
Tony Adams Arsenal 66 1987-2000
Paul Scholes Manchester United 66 1997-2004

Eight of the top 25 are current internationals, while four of the top 20 are definite starters in South Africa, if fit.

Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole – both still in their twenties are well placed to reach 100 caps in the next couple of years.

Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand though, are both approaching their 32nd birthday's, and for the latter especially, age appears to be catching up with them in their pursuit of the ton.

The current crop of players are actually very experienced, and, while David Beckham and Michael Owen will definitely not be going to South Africa, Gary Neville’s recent run of games at Manchester United may well still see him selected as back up to Glen Johnson at right back.

Sol Campbell would probably require a whole host of injuries to other centre halves if he is to add to his 73 caps this summer.



ENGLAND’S 25 LEADING GOALSCORERS (Post war)

Name Goals Years (includes the first to last goals)

Bobby Charlton 49 1958-1970
Gary Lineker 48 1985-1992
Jimmy Greaves 44 1959-1967
Michael Owen 40 1998-
Tom Finney 30 1946-1958
Nat Lofthouse 30 1950-1958
Alan Shearer 30 1992-2000
David Platt 27 1990-1996
Bryan Robson 26 1981-1989
Wayne Rooney 25 2003-
Geoff Hurst 24 1966-1971
Stan Mortensen 23 1947-1953
Tommy Lawton 22 1938-1948
Mick Channon 21 1973-1977
Kevin Keegan 21 1974-1981
Peter Crouch 20 2005-
Frank Lampard 20 1999-
Martin Peters 20 1966-1973
Johnny Haynes 18 1954-1961
Roger Hunt 18 1962-1967
David Beckham 17 1998-
Steven Gerrard 16 2001-
Tommy Taylor 16 1953-1957
Tony Woodcock 16 1979-1984
Paul Scholes 14 1997-2004




ENGLAND’S 25 BEST POST WAR GOALSCORERS

(Only includes players with over 10 international goals)

Name Caps Goals Strike rate

Tommy Lawton 22 23 95.65%
Stan Mortenson 23 25 92.00%
Nat Lofthouse 30 33 90.91%
Robert Smith 13 15 86.67%
Tommy Taylor 16 19 84.22%
Dennis Wilshaw 10 12 83.33%
Jimmy Greaves 57 44 77.19%
John Milburn 10 13 76.92%
Gary Lineker 80 48 60.00%
Peter Crouch 37 20 54.05%
Martin Chivers 13 24 54.17%
Roger Hunt 34 18 52.94%
Allan Clarke 10 19 52.63%
Geoff Hurst 24 49 48.98%
Alan Shearer 30 63 47.62%
Bobby Charlton 106 49 46.23%
Mick Channon 46 21 45.65%
Michael Owen 89 40 44.94%
David Platt 27 62 43.55%
Wayne Rooney 25 58 43.10%
Wilfred Mannion 26 11 42.31%
Tom Finney 30 76 39.47%
Tony Woodcock 16 42 38.10%
Paul Mariner 13 35 37.14%
Francis Lee 10 27 37.03%


Peter Crouch may have had a poor season in front of goal at Tottenham, but his international record is terrific. He has 18 goals from only 17 starts (he has appeared 20 times as a substitute). He could yet turn into an all time great England striker.

Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard can both still enter the top ten leading goal scorers list if they manage to repeat their prolific club form on the international stage.

And then there is Wayne Rooney, who, at still only 24, is almost certain to move into the top five leading scorers within the next year. Injuries permitting, the Manchester United star may well break Bobby Charlton’s long standing record and become the first England player to score 50 goals.

But, a note of caution is needed. A few years ago we all said without any hesitation, that Michael Owen would be the first England player to do this, but persistent injuries appear to have destroyed his hopes.

A quick mention has to go to Bobby Charlton and indeed, David Platt. They were both midfielders, but have goal scoring record's any international striker would be proud of.





REFERENCES:
www.englandfootballonline.com
www.thefa.com