So, after coming up with my non-British Leeds United XI, which did take a while to get those cogs working, I’ve gotta admit, it seemed only logical to go in the opposite direction.
Though, I’ve made it harder on myself and restricted it to just English – the obvious candidates who would probably get in being Republic of Ireland pair, Robbie Keane and Ian Harte.
At first, I thought this would be quite hard and (unless I’ve missed someone) I even did this without help of ‘t’internet as well – I mean, I kind of had to, bloody WiFi out ‘ere in Yorkshire sticks is about as reliable as us in a play-off final.
Anyway – it’s not a bad read this, so stick ‘kettle on, do yerself a cuppa and enjoy! And, I’ve gone for a basic 4-4-2 in case yer wondering!
Goalkeeper: Paul Robinson
Gotta be right? I mean to be fair we had Scott Carson an all that many forget about – what deal he’s had – Man City’s third goalie well into his 30s, on £30,000/week training with all that quality!
But anyway, it’s ‘Robbo’ for me; number one for England for quite a while as well with 41 caps (2003-2007). His move to Tottenham annoyed me a bit – he was always going to be top ‘keeper and for me, a shoe-in here.
Left-back: Danny Rose
Yeah, no contest surely? Another who I think would’ve gone on to have a great career with us – had he even had a chance to play for us – which, if we were flying in the Premier League, he would’ve eventually, but he was a mainstay at Spurs. That £1 million fee though – for how valuable he became – bit of a sickener that. An impressive 29 caps for England as well (2014-2019) – not bad.
Right-back: Danny Mills
Noone else sticks out for me and he’s earned his place here as he also played for England on 19 occasions (2001-2004) as well. Part of that great team under David O’Leary that made it to the Champions League semis and did enough to displace fan favourite Gary Kelly as well.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand
Are you surprised, really? Became one of the best in the world and alongside John Terry formed a formidable partnership in the England setup. Probably the best all-round centre-back to play for us in the last 25 years and walks into this team easily.
Centre-back: Jonathan Woodgate
Again, this didn’t really take much thinking about. Woodgate and Ferdinand formed arguably the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League at the time and although ‘Woody’ was prone to an error, he was still head and shoulders above many others at the time. Unlucky to not earn the number of England caps that he did – eight in total (1999-2008) – with Sol Campbell, Ledley King, Terry and Ferdinand also in the loop.
Left-midfield: James Milner
Became the youngest Leeds United player at the time when he made his debut at 16 years and 309 days. He wasn’t a natural, left-sided player at first, but he always put 100 percent into every game, regardless of the position he played. Probably why he got 61 England caps (one goal).
Right-midfield: Lee Bowyer
Part of that effective midfield quartet under O’Leary, with Olivier Dacourt, Erik Bakke and Harry Kewell, for me, no one comes close. He did get an England cap, though was unlucky probably that a certain David Beckham was around at the time, along with an in-form Steve McManaman and Kieron Dyer. Honourable mention to Aaron Lennon as well, but for me, doesn’t come close to Bowyer.
Central-midfield: Lewis Cook
I’m not too sure how he hasn’t earned more England caps over the last few years, but for me – he’s an obvious choice in one of these berths. Arguably one of Bournemouth’s most important players with the attacking football that they play and has developed into one of the best passers in the league for me.
Central-midfield: Fabian Delph
For me, one of the best products to come out of our youth academy in the last couple of decades. A machine of a midfielder with a hell of a pass, ability to play in more than one position and an eye for a goal. I think he’s another who was unlucky not to be capped more times for England and no other option comes close in this lineup for me.
Striker: Alan Smith
Has to be in – I know most of you lot probably still have a problem with him, but he was a great player for us. Had the heart of a lion, ran all day and was good for a goal. Not a natural scorer – probably what you’d call a ‘pressing forward’ these days, but made a great partner for the likes’ of Mark Viduka. A shout-out goes to Michael Bridges as well, though he was more late nineties than early 2000s.
Striker: Robbie Fowler
What a coup he was from Liverpool. Joined a trio of talented strikers that we had, including Smith, Viduka and Robbie Keane (Harry Kewell occasionally played up top), but with 14 goals in 30 appearances for us, showed why he deserves his place here. Also part of the England fold with 26 caps and seven goals (1996-2002), he was unlucky not get as many caps, though with Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, Ian Wright, then latterly Michael Owen and Emile Heskey coming through, there were so many options
