EURO 2004: England squad profiles

[Salem6]

David James


Born: 01/08/70
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Manchester City
Caps: 23
Occupies the number one jersey, having taken over from David Seaman for both country and club.

James moved from West Ham to Manchester City in January to fill the void left by Seaman's retirement.

And the switch also saw his return to Premiership football after the Hammers were relegated to Division One at the end of the 2003/2004 season.

He produced steady displays against both Macedonia and Liechtenstein despite playing behind an uncertain defence.

His fabulous late save in the crucial win against Turkey at the Stadium of Light last season lingers in the memory.







Paul Robinson


Born: 15/10/79
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Tottenham
Caps: 4
Robinson has finally joined Tottenham from Leeds after a proposed move fell through in the January transfer window.

The former Under-21 star is yet to become a regular in the full international team but has age on his side and seems sure to feature more prominently for England in years to come.

Robinson has performed heroics despite Leeds' nightmare campaign, which led to their relegation.

And he will be hoping that moving to THFC, and staying in the Premiership, will help his England prospects .








Ian Walker


Born: 31/10/71
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Leicester City
Caps: 3
Walker was handed a surprise recall to the England squad for the friendly against South Africa last May but did not actually play.

The selection came after an impressive season with Leicester as they won promotion to the Premiership.

Walker has been far busier this season with Leicester failing to avoid relegation.

It is six years since he won his last full England cap, but Walker has not given up hope of adding to his three international appearances.

[Salem6]

Wayne Bridge


Born: 05/08/80
Position: Defender
Club: Chelsea
Caps: 16
Goals: 0
Made two substitute appearances during the World Cup and, with Ashley Cole out injured, he took his chance well.

Having started life as a midfielder he is comfortable going forward and has been used in front of Arsenal's Cole by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Left Southampton to join Chelsea in a £7m summer move in a bid to increase his international chances.

Regular Champions League football with Chelsea has helped Bridge improve his game and broaden his experience at the highest level.








Sol Campbell


Born: 18/09/74
Position: Defender
Club: Arsenal
Caps: 56
Goals: 1
Arsenal's central defender continues to be a powerful presence at club and international level.

Campbell was named in the All Star team after the 2002 World Cup and is regarded highly in the international arena.

Established a successful central defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand, but will be playing alongside someone else at Euro 2004 with the Manchester United player banned.

Has been in excellent form for Arsenal and was instrumental in their record-breaking, title-winning unbeaten season in the Premiership.










Jamie Carragher


Born: 28/01/78
Position: Defender
Club: Liverpool
Caps: 11
Goals: 0
Carragher's versatility has made him a useful player for Sven-Goran Eriksson to have at his disposal.

But his adaptability threatens to see him regarded as a jack of all trades and master of none.

The Liverpool defender was a regular for the England Under-21s, but is yet to establish himself as a real contender for a starting spot.

Steve Finnan's summer arrival at Anfield will not have helped his cause but Carragher's continued determination after returning from a broken leg last year makes him a crucial member of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad.







Ashley Cole


Born: 20/12/80
Position: Defender
Club: Arsenal
Caps: 24
Goals: 0
Has established himself as the number one choice at left-back although is likely to face increasing pressure for his spot from Chelsea's Wayne Bridge.

Cole's ability to get forward has helped England cope with their lack of a left winger, although there are still question marks over the defensive side of his game.

The Arsenal defender needs to curb a hot-headed streak but is vastly experienced despite his relatively tender years having made the breakthrough at a young age.

Cole enjoyed a fine season for record-breaking Arsenal, who remained unbeaten as they clinched the Premiership title.






Ledley King


Born: 12/10/80
Position: Defender
Club: THFC
Caps: 3
Goals: 1
King made his Tottenham debut as an 18-year-old and became a first-team regular at White Hart Lane in the 2000-2001 season.

Following Sol Campbell's departure before the 2001-2002 season King stepped into his shoes, and his performances at the heart of the THFC defence earned him an England debut as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Italy in March 2002.

He was also used as a substitute against Australia in February 2003 in another England friendly defeat, but then appeared to drop down the pecking order.

However, King again profited from the loss of Campbell - this time through injury - in earning a call-up for the friendly with Portugal and he made his most of the opportunity with a goal and an impressive display.







Gary Neville


Born: 18/02/75
Position: Defender
Club: Manchester United
Caps: 61
Goals: 0
With 61 caps to his name and a string of domestic medals, Neville is one of England's most experienced and reliable players.

His defensive ability has proved crucial for club and country, and his years of playing with David Beckham on the right for Manchester United have benefited the national team.

Danny Mills has deputised well and the emergence of Chelsea youngster Glen Johnson will put pressure on Neville - but the Manchester United man remains first choice.

His massive experience in the Champions League and at major finals is crucial in such a young squad and Sven-Goran Eriksson will continue to rely heavily on him.







Phil Neville


Born: 21/01/77
Position: Defender
Club: Manchester United
Caps: 46
Goals: 0
Neville has rarely been a first choice for club or country but has still amassed 45 caps for England, largely as cover when injuries strike.

Was brought off the bench against Macedonia and Liechtenstein when England went ahead and protected the back four impressively.

He is regarded more as a reliable stop-gap than a regular, but his selection by a succession of England managers shows the respect in which he is held in the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson is as confident about using Neville as a midfield man as he is as a defender and that versatility makes him a useful member of Eriksson's squad.







John Terry


Born: 07/12/1980
Position: Defender
Club: Chelsea
Caps: 7
Goals: 0
Terry will almost certainly make up one half of England's first-choice centre back pairing after strong performances for Chelsea and injury to Jonathan Woodgate.

He will play alongside Sol Campbell and England will be hoping both men remain fit in the build up to Portugal.

Terry has been outstanding at the heart of defence in Chelsea's new-look side and was a key figure in their progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

Strong and composed, Terry is a natural leader and can already be considered an England regular.

[Salem6]

David Beckham


Born: 02/05/75
Position: Midfielder
Club: Real Madrid
Caps: 66
Goals: 13
Beckham has been in good form for Real Madrid - encouraging news with Euro 2004 just weeks away.
Doubts whether he would succeed in Spain quickly proved unfounded and Beckham appears to have improved his game while in Spain.

He has developed as a midfielder playing in a more central role.

Quite simply the heartbeat of Eriksson's England, he has flourished alongside Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos at Real.






Nicky Butt


Born: 21/01/75
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester United
Caps: 33
Goals: 0
Came to prominence during an impressive series of displays for England in the 2002 World Cup, and has become a reliable option for Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Returned to the England starting line-up against Turkey and enjoyed a hugely impressive display at the base of the diamond formation.

May not be a regular at Manchester United and at one stage looked to be moving elsewhere in the Premiership, but his experience and solidity make him a serious option for Eriksson.

Butt is an ideal alternative for the drive of Steven Gerrard and the attacking instincts of Paul Scholes.





Joe Cole


Born: 08/11/81
Position: Midfielder
Club: Chelsea
Caps: 15
Goals: 2
Cole's £6.6m transfer to Chelsea during the close season put him firmly in the spotlight, and Blues boss Claudio Ranieri is far from being his only admirer.
His vision and invention are not in question, but Cole needs to show he has the maturity to go with the tricks if he wants to prove he is worth a permanent place on the international stage.

Cole, despite regularly being little more than a substitute at Stamford Bridge, was called up for England's friendly against Denmark and did his cause no harm by scoring.

But he faces a fierce fight in one of the most hotly-contested areas of Eriksson's side.





Kieron Dyer


Born: 29/12/78
Position: Midfielder
Club: Newcastle
Caps: 20
Goals: 0
Has been considered one for the future by England for some time, and will now be hoping to fulfil his potential and establish himself in the team.

Filled the problem left-sided role for the first game against Liechtenstein but was relegated to substitute as England beat Turkey with Steven Gerrard on the left side of a diamond formation.

Dyer's vast reserves of energy and his eye for a goal have marked him out as a player who could potentially make a massive impact at the Euro 2004 finals.





Steven Gerrard


Born: 30/05/80
Position: Midfielder
Club: Liverpool
Caps: 22
Goals: 3
Gerrard's tenacity, drive and perceptive passing make him an essential part of England's midfield, where some say he is even more important than David Beckham.

Allied to this is a good understanding with club colleague Michael Owen - and a reputation as a lucky talisman, as England are yet to lose in a competitive match in which Gerrard has played.

Gerrard, when fit, is one of the finest midfield operators in Europe with a growing reputation.

He still has question marks over his temperament, but has vowed to clean up his act.





Owen Hargreaves


Born: 20/01/81
Position: Midfielder
Club: Bayern Munich
Caps: 17
Goals: 0
A hard-working, versatile midfielder who was part of England's World Cup squad.

Hargreaves is a key component of his club side Bayern Munich and impressed when they won the Champions League title in 2000.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is a great admirer of Hargreaves, who can play in midfield and at right-back, and has great faith in his attitude and ability.

Hargreaves' experience in the Bundesliga also adds an extra European dimension to the England squad.









Frank Lampard


Born: 20/06/78
Position: Midfielder
Club: Chelsea
Caps: 17
Goals: 1
Lampard has been in superb form for both England and Chelsea this season.

The midfielder scored a brilliant goal in the friendly against Croatia and impressed in the match against Denmark.

Lampard has matured into a fine example of the modern midfield player since his move from West Ham and has established himself as a regular in the Chelsea team despite intense competition for places.

He is defensively aware but also has the ability to burst forward from midfield and scores more than his fair share of spectacular goals.







Paul Scholes


Born: 16/11/74
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester United
Caps: 60
Goals: 13
Once England's most prolific midfield goalscorer, the goals have dried up for Scholes.

Scholes has not scored at international level since June 2001 against Greece but remains one of the first names on Sven-Goran Eriksson's teamsheet.

He is, despite a barren spell in front of goal, England's most technically gifted midfielder who can create chances with his intelligent passing.

Scholes also has vast, and invaluable, experience at the highest level for club and country.

[Salem6]

Emile Heskey


Born: 11/01/78
Position: Striker
Club: Liverpool
Caps: 40
Goals: 5
Unsettles defences with his pace and power and is versatile enough to be an option down the left flank.

But his critics say his strike rate is not good enough for an international, and his form has been erratic in recent times.

Heskey is fighting to save his long-term Liverpool career after interest from Middlesbrough during the transfer window, but has found himself behind Milan Baros in the Anfield pecking order.

And his recent England form has been so indifferent that he needs to produce and very quickly for Sven-Goran Eriksson.





Michael Owen


Born: 14/12/79
Position: Striker
Club: Liverpool
Caps: 54
Goals: 24
Still only 24, Owen is England's first-choice striker and feared by defenders around the world.

Against Slovakia he became the youngest player ever to make 50 England appearances, and marked it with two goals to take him past the likes of Kevin Keegan and Mick Channon in the goalscoring standings.

He has not been at his prolific best for Liverpool this season but has been plagued by shin, ankle and thigh problems.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, though, remains a big admirer of the player - always his first-choice striker whenever fit.





Wayne Rooney


Born: 24/10/85
Position: Striker
Club: Everton
Caps: 11
Goals: 3
Rooney made history when he got the first goal against FYR Macedonia by becoming the youngest player to score for England.

At just 17 years and 317 days old he erased Michael Owen from the record books.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's gamble to hand the teenager his first start against Turkey was repaid in spectacular fashion with a stunning display.

Rooney struggled against Slovakia, but the Everton striker has the talent to shine on the international stage and his strike against Macedonia proved vital.

He added to his goal tally against Liechtenstein and Denmark and his pace, power and natural talent make him the ideal partner for Owen.





Darius Vassell


Born: 13/06/80
Position: Striker
Club: Aston Villa
Caps: 16
Goals: 4
Vassell has endured a difficult season with Aston Villa, despite the club's top-six finish in the Premiership.

But he has always been able to produce his best form for England, particularly as a game-changing substitute.

He burst onto the international scene with goals in his first two England appearances and has consistently impressed with his pace and direct running.

Judging by selection to date, he can have no doubts about how highly Sven-Goran Eriksson rates him.