In recent years, England have been known to give out caps like they were going out of fashion. Some have deserved them, whereas others have made fans scratch their heads at their selection ahead of others. Players who excelled for their league team but for one reason or another did not receive the chances at international that they deserved.
Players Who Should Have Received More England Caps
Kevin Phillips – Eight Caps
Super Kevin Phillips started just four games and made four substitute appearances for the Three Lions. Going into the 2000 European Championships the Sunderland striker was the EPL Golden Boot and European Golden Shoe Winner plus the EPL Player of the Year for 1999/2000.
No other striker in Europe was in the goalscoring form which Phillips had been in. However, England’s coach at the time Kevin Keegan seemed reluctant to give him the opportunity to impress. At Euro 2000 where England underperformed, Phillips didn’t play a single minute.
Glenn Hoddle – 53 Caps
Many would say that 53 caps is a good amount; however, when a player has the skill that Glenn Hoddle possessed, the amount should have been double what it is.
Hoddle was one of the most gifted players of his generation. With his unrivalled vision, control and balance, it made him one of the best playmakers in the world.
French star Michel Platini famously said of Hoddle: “If he had been French, he would have would have won well over 100 caps and the team would have been built around him.”
However, Hoddle feels that England’s tactics at the time were not suited to his style of play. He said: “The ball was launched up towards two strikers and the wingers to chase and that was never going to get the best out of the creative, technical players.
“We just didn’t have that structure with England. We were just told we’d be playing 4-4-2 every time, and those who were playing well for their clubs were dropped into that formation however worked best. For every team overseas, clubs and countries, the No.10 was the most important player on the pitch. That was never the case with England – we didn’t even have a no.10 position.
“If Brian Clough had become England manager, I’d have had a completely different scenario as an international footballer.”
Len Shackleton – Five Caps
The Clown Prince of Soccer was one of the most talented players of his generation. His skill and magical footwork, entertained fans and left defenders embarrassed. Shackleton, despite his undoubted talent frustrated many of his teammates who felt he was too selfish. This was also the case for the National team manager.
The England manager at the time, Walter Winterbottom, told journalists “If only Len would come half-way to meet the needs of the team there wouldn’t be many to touch him”. Another England selector summed up the attitude to Shackleton’s showboating, telling reporters that “we play at Wembley Stadium, not the London Palladium”.
In another era, Shackleton would have won many more England caps. His ability to win games on his own was a talent in itself, but in his time, despite his talents, he just didn’t fit in with the way some believed the game should be played.
Matt Le Tissier – Eight Caps
Like Glenn Hoddle before him, England had trouble with what to do with such talents. A player who may not have been the best at chasing and tackling, Le Tissier or “Le God” as Southampton fans christened him, more than made up for his inabilities with his skill, vision, set piece taking and eye for goal. Many of his goals were seen on Goal of the Month and Goal of the Season compilations.
209 goals in 540 appearances in 15 years at Southampton plus 20-plus top-flight goals in three different seasons should have seen him be an England regular. However, he was given just three starts.
Barcelona legend Xavi was a huge admirer of Le Tissier and believed he could have played for anyone. He said: “In Catalonia there used to be a half-hour programme every Monday where they’d show the best goals from the Premier League. Every week, Matt Le Tissier would be on the show. I’m talking outrageous, sickening goals.
“We used to say: ‘This guy, Le Tissier, is outrageous and he never goes to a big team. He stays at Southampton. It’s incredible. He could play for anyone. Our whole house was obsessed with him.”
Ray Clemence – 61 Caps
Like Hoddle, goalkeeper Ray Clemence collected a very respectable number of England caps. However, many would argue that he should have won a lot more. Clemence rivalled Peter Shilton for the England number one spot. Shilton was a great keeper who won two European Cups and one league title at Nottingham Forest. Clemence; however, played for the most dominant team in Europe, Liverpool. He won every honour available and Anfield and also at Tottenham. He won an impressive five league titles, three European Cups, the FA Cup twice, the League Cup, the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup and several Charity Shields.
England managers could not decide between the two and often rotated them with Shilton eventually winning 125 caps. Even with the competition that Shilton provided, Clemence’s achievements should have been rewarded with more caps for his country.
