In these times when international caps get given out like sweets, I've decided to have a look at 11 players who have played in the Premier League who have a criminally low amount of caps...no I don't mean Francis Jeffers and Michael Ricketts, I'm talking about the guys who are immense week in week out for their club sides, but for some reason just haven't ever made the step up to international level on a regular basis.
GK - Carlo Cudicini (0 caps). In the pre-Cech era at Chelsea Carlo was arguably the best keeper in the league and with form that also saw him voted Chelsea's Fans Player of the Year in 2001/02. Unfortunate to be an Italian 'keeper in the same era as Buffon...but I'm no England fan would have complained if he was to turn out for us.
DEF - Steve Bruce (0 caps). As the song goes "Steve Bruce, he's got a big fat head, he's got a big fat head, he's got a big fat head"...but he's also got 3 Premier League winners medals, 3 FA cup winners medals, 1 League Cup and 1 European Cup Winners Cup winners medal along with being the first captain to complete an FA Cup and Premier League double and being voted into the Premier Leagues team of the decade in 2002. Yet somehow Steve managed to turn out for England a grand total of zero times.
DEF - Ledley King (21 caps). Ok, so 21 caps isn't too bad a tally, but when you look at the sheer talent big deadly Ledley possess it is a crime that he hasn't represented his country more than 21 times. Pace, power, positioning and impeccable tackling technique if it weren't for his injury problems I think he would be first choice over Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
DEF - Paul Parker (19 caps). The best thing you could say about Paul Parker is that you very rarely noticed that he was on the pitch...and then he'd go on a foray forwards and whip a cross in for Eric Cantona to finish. The original Mr.Consistency before G.Nev took over that mantle, along with his place in the Man.United and England team.
MID - David Ginola (17 caps). Undoubtedly talented, but also liable to the odd meltdown. Ginola's international career was all but ended during a qualifier for USA 1994 against Bulgaria. With the scores level and France only needing a draw to qualify Ginola over hit a cross, from which Bulgaria went up the other end and scored and knocked France out of the tournament. France manager Gerard Houllier blamed the failure on Ginola and he was branded the "assassin of french football". Ginola was barracked by French fans during the following season prompting him to leave for England...for this we are forever thankful to the French, especially for moments like that goal against Barnsley.
MID - Danny Murphy (9 caps). Another hugely talented footballer who maybe didn't get the chances he deserved because of his peers. Made his debut for Crewe at the age of 16, before moving to Liverpool where he won the treble. Great striker of a dead ball, always has space in the middle of the park and what a range of passing on the boy...just ask Fulham fans.
MID - Mikel Arteta (0 caps). No-one epitomises being born in the wrong year more than Mikel. I hope Mr and Mrs Arteta are happy with themselves for producing such a talent, but hang their heads in shame for not consulting with the Iniesta's and Hernandez's before having little Mikel.
MID - Paul Merson (21 caps). To say Paul Merson had some problems would be an understatement (playing a drinking and sleeping pill game with Gazza), but to see him in full flight with a ball at his feet was something else. Maybe not the most graceful of players, but a legend at every club he played for.
MID - Matthew Le Tissier (8 caps). Sure he may be "chunky", and he may have been a little bit lazy...but Matt Le Tissier is a one man highlight reel...he just didn't know how to score an average goal. A true one club man, only ever missed one penalty, fittingly scored the last ever goal at The Dell and cited by Xavi as one of his childhood inspirations. "His talent was simply out of the norm. He could simply dribble past
seven or eight players but without speed - he just walked past them. For
me he was sensational"...I think I may just agree with Xavi.
FWD - 'Sir' Les Ferdinand MBE (17 caps). 'Sir' Les was the perfect number nine. Strong, powerful, great finisher and unstoppable in the air. Once again maybe didn't quite fulfill his potential at International level due to his contemporaries, despite giving up his number 9 shirt at Newcastle to allow Alan Shearer to take it and move to Newcastle, but 'Sir' Les will always be a hero at Loftus Road.
FWD - Kevin Philips (8 caps). Almost single-handedly dragged Sunderland to their highest ever finish and one of the few Englishmen to finish a season with 30 goals...although he has now played for almost as many clubs as that.
FWD - Robbie Fowler (28). The ultimate finisher, for my generation there has been no deadlier finisher in the Premier League, not blessed with physical assets but still was at the top of the game for many many years until a better standard of life called from down under.
Subs;
Jonathan Woodgate (8 caps). How many players score an own goal and get sent off on their debut and still get a standing ovation, and how many do it for Real Madrid. Tells you all you need to know about the man.
Michael Bridges (0 caps). Once one of the Premier Leagues hot properties, but a string of serious injuries led him down the leagues (much to the delight of Carlisle United fans) before a stint in Australia before he retired earlier in the year.
Scott Parker (9 caps). Tenacious, hard working and can play a bit. No more needs to be said.
Andrew Cole (15 caps). Once the most expensive player in the league, and well worth his price tag.
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