Scott Parker: The Strong Midfielder Hoping to Set a New Record

Scott Parker is an English footballer currently playing for West Ham United. He is well known for his tough tackling and the tireless midfielder, who defends well, likes to surge forward.

After graduating from the School of Excellence at Lilleshall, he signed for Charlton Athletic as a trainee, making his senior debut in August 1997. Scott Parker was one of the brightest prospects in English football. He developed well and established himself as a regular starter at The Valley.

He scored 10 goals in 145 appearances during his seven years with the Addicks.

Parker finally left Charlton after a long transfer saga linking him with an exit from the club and signed for Chelsea in January 2004. The £10 million signing did not get many chances to play due to the excellence of Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard.

The arrival of Arjen Robben and Tiago in the summer forced Parker down the pecking order and his first team opportunities were extremely limited. Things grew worse for him when he broke his metatarsal bone against Norwich City.

He scored one goal in 15 appearances before moving to Newcastle in July 2005 for a fee of £6.5 million. Parker became a regular at St. James Park and he was very consistent.

Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with grandular fever in March 2006 which ruled him out for the rest of the season.  This also ended his chance to represent England in FIFA World Cup of 2006.

In July of the same year, he was named the Magpies' new skipper by Glenn Roeder. He made a total of 55 appearances for Newcastle, netting four times in the process.

West Ham United signed Parker for £7 million in June 2007, reuniting him with his ex-Charlton manager Alan Curbishley.

Parker has represented England at every level, from under-15 to the senior squad. He has made three appearances for England so far during his spells with his three former clubs. His three international caps were earned from two substitute appearances against Denmark and Sweden as well as his only international start against Croatia.

A defensive midfielder of Parker's quality could well be the key for both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to form a deadly attacking midfielder partnership, which is what England fans have been waiting to see.

If Scott Parker gets another international call-up, he will set a record by becoming the first player to receive four caps whilst playing for four different teams.