Broad Shoulders

I can understand where you are coming from, but really the beauty about that tournament from Gazza was that he wasn't famous for his mazey runs like other great players, he was more famous for being a great team player that just made the transition from defence to attack so good. In a way, a bit like Beckham did for us. I remember against Germany one particular pass from him, where he flicked it from the outside of his right boot (remember he was naturally left footed) and the ball went 50 metres right to the feet of Lineker (I think it was). I remember watching that in absolute awe. You also have to remember that he really was at the centre of nearly all of England's goals in that tournament. I do also agree that we made hard work of some games that should have been easy for us, but then in those days England never thrashed anyone (or very rarely anyway), a lot of our wins were 1-0.

Broad Shoulders

Again.... Which world cup did he play???????????????????????

aston

oh come on,we all know he should of gone,so cant we just count him in for crimes against players that dont get on with football managers?

iamthecreaturefromuranus

But the question is favourite player, not best player. There have been plenty of players who were better than Gazza, but you would be hard pushed to name an England player, especially one who most people on this board actually saw play, who had a bigger impact on the English public or on an individual WC.

The three bears

Fair play - good response.

I guess football and World Cups are all about personal memories and experiences. I don't have the same fond memories of Gazza in 90 as you but I can see and believe your points even if I don't recall the action. And I too am a fan of Gazza the footballer - a great talent without doubt.

The three bears

Yep. Again, good shout. The thread is not just about impact on matches but on the public perception and who we enjoyed. On that score Gazza is difficult to beat, certainly for England. Agreed.

Broad Shoulders

Yeah, but France never qualified for a World Cup in the 90s. Even the 98' WC they won they didn't technically qualify for. Believe it or not he was but an average player in France. No one thought he was anything special in France until he went to Leeds.
I don't think he even played that many games during their Qualifying rounds for 94

The three bears

Tis true.

I am a huge fan of Eric. A brilliant talent but I think there was just something magical about him and Utd together which you cannot explain through normal football logic. Made for each other.

Broad Shoulders

I couldn't believe it, as when he started playing for Leeds I was still living in France and even when he went to play for United. I couldn't believe all the hype that was coming out of the UK and nor could any of the French themselves. You know, now I think of it, I don't think France even picked him for the Euro 92 tournament.

I do agree though, he was an amazing player once he got to the Premiership.

aston

thats a very good point,and to think and as you quite rightly pointed out him not being in a world cup is nothing short of unbelievable..

two points to make here.

1.he was proberly the best player i ever saw that i did not want to jump into the tele and punch(renaldo)

2.make sure you read the title of the thread properly?



oh and can i have a third point..

lets all hope in two moths,were all saying wayne rooney,or even emily heskey?(heskey)

The three bears

I was just posting a reply but seem to have lost it.....

Anyway I was saying how I recall he was kept out of French team by Zidane. At the time I scoffed at this but history showed Zidane to be one of THE greats. While Cantona perhaps just found the perfect place for his personality and talents to flourish to the maximum. Zidane was probably better but I am still a huge fan of Eric at OT though

Broad Shoulders

Ah be fair on old Bruno. Sure he doesn't score many goals, but whenever he is in the team England and the strikers around him always seem to score/win. He draws so many defenders with him that creates so much space for the players around him, same way Crouch does, but Crouch is a better goal scorer.

You know what this thread has done is made us all realise how there are so many great players who have never played a World Cup game

aston

you obviously aint a villa fan

Broad Shoulders

He was only kept out of the 96' & 98' squads by Zidane, before then he had no excuse other than the fact that Gerard Houllier, as well as other French people didn't rate him.

The three bears

Fair enough - France evidently made the right choices for 1998. Prior to 96 my knowledge and memory of the French football squad is patchy - but I don't recall them setting the world on fire - perhaps Cantona could have brought something to the party.........

On the topic of Houllier - well as somebody whose allegiance lies further east up the M62 - I have nothing but praise for the man !!!!!