Ian Wright
Goalkeeper
David Seaman
Undoubtedly the best. He didn’t dive for the sake of diving or make a flash save from something straightforward. Great shot stopper with a massive presence in goal that would filter through to the defence.
Right-back
Cafu
This guy’s amazing. What is he now, 37? Yet he’s still going. Didn’t need to be the best defensively as he was so good going forward. People were always so worried about him going forward that he didn’t have to defend as much as other full backs. Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
Centre-back
Tony Adams
A great defender and a great leader. He’d be my captain as he was so inspirational and was able to get the best out of those around him. Great in air and not bad in the floor as well, with him around the defence would definitely be organised.
Centre-back
Fabio Cannavaro
He’s gone on to be one of the best defenders of all time. You have to be some defender to win the World Player of the Year. Considering that, I’m quite pleased about giving him the run about when I played him both against Napoli and Italy. That’s my claim to fame.
Left-back
Paulo Maldini
You have to be a special player to perform so consistently for such a long time. There aren’t many players who have done this for such a big club. He’s also a great looking guy. He’s got everything going for him. Unlike Roberto Carlos, he could defend as well as attack. That’s way he’s in.
Right-midfield
Zinadine Zidane
He was one of those players that even when you’re playing against him, you watch because he’s so good. He always seemed to find time on the pitch, whether it’s to control the ball or find a pass. He made it look so easy. With him in the team, it wouldn’t lack creativity.
Centre-midfield
Patrick Vieira
A natural born winner and another leader. He epitomises everything you could want from a modern midfielder. He can attack, defend, score goals, track back, everything. He was always brilliant at taking the ball in tight spots in the middle of the park and starting attack, which is what he’d do for this team.
Centre-midfield
Roy Keane
Another leader who was consistently excellent. Again able to both parts of a midfielders job better than most. Alongside Vieira, one could sit back while the other spins and goes forward. With those two there the defence will always have cover while the attackers will always have support.
Left-midfield
Ryan Giggs
Giggs would provide the pace in the midfield. Another player that’s been brilliant over a long period of time. He’s almost the perfect winger as he can dribble, cross, score goals, while being comfortable out wide, in the middle or behind the front man.
Forward
Dennis Bergkamp
An amazing player with sublime skill; comfortably the best player I’ve played with. Not only does he score brilliant goals, when he plays, the players around him score more. Him and Shearer upfront would make a fantastic partnership.
Forward
Alan Shearer
This decision is self-explanatory. Shearer was the archetypal centre forward, who could head, shoot with left and right foot and hold the ball up as good as anybody in the world. He was a traditional number nine, a heroic type of player. The one that others in the team would look up to.
Manager
Fabio Capello
With so many superstars in the team, you need someone with a similar stature, and I think Capello has this. Not only would he be excellent tactically, the players would look up to him and do as he says.
Substitutes
Gazza
He’s unlucky not to make the staring line-up. He had unbelievable ability and someone who could have won everything if he looked after himself. If he had gone to Man Utd instead of Spurs, everything could have been so different.
Roberto Carlos
When I played against him he was unbelievable. He kept on making marauding runs, crossing and shooting at really high pace. Can play left back and left wing. A brilliant player.
Peter Schmeichel
Always made great saves at the right times. He sometimes made them look slightly more spectacular than they needed to be, but the important thing was he kept the ball out of the net.
John Barnes
When he joined Liverpool people thought he was just a great winger, but he went onto prove that he was more than that; he was a great footballer. He was a scintillating, edge of the seat player.
Gianfranco Zola
Just missed out to Dennis Bergkamp. Very similar player who would score spectacular goals, set up team mates, while being excellent on set pieces.