Ranking the 5 Candidates to Become England's Next David Beckham
The England National Team has very likely seen the last of David Beckham. While he is still playing in Major League Soccer, it is unlikely the great man will play again for the Three Lions, and it is certain that he will not hit the field for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
With that in mind, it is time to look for who will be his replacement. While he receives criticism like many other players, most England fans acknowledge the achievements of Beckham.
He was the runner-up in the FIFA World Player of the Year Award on 1999 and 2001.
For some perspective, the last two runners-up have been Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beckham also has a UEFA Champions League winner's medal, and has won League Title's in England and Spain, along with a host of domestic trophies.
However, when it comes to Beckham, his standing with the English team goes way beyond his trophy collection. In addition to becoming the most famous footballer in English history, he developed a habit of producing in big moments.
His free kick against Greece in injury time gave England a place at the 2002 World Cup, and once England got there, Beckham netted a game-winning goal in the group stage victory over arch rival Argentina.
In his last World Cup as a player, Beckham guided England to the last eight with a winning goal against Ecuador, an achievement that does not seem so hollow given the performance of the 2010 squad.
At club level, Beckham had an equal flair for the dramatic. It was his two corners that set up both goals in Manchester United's injury time comeback win over Bayern Munich in arguably the most dramatic Champions League final of all time.
So with Beckham gone the question must be asked, what now? Who will step into the role of National Team hero?
Can any English player produce moments of brilliance that will win games and create for himself the star status that surrounded Beckham?
Here we look at five players who can.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
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Steven Gerrard was one of the few England players to emerge from the World Cup debacle with his reputation intact.
Gerrard opened the scoring the tie with the USA, and set up Matthew Upson for England's lone goal in the Second Round defeat against Germany.
In England's first game after the World Cup, Gerrard may have single-handedly saved Fabio Capello's job.
National morale was at a low, and with 22 minutes remaining, England was down 1-0 at home to Hungary, heading for a defeat that would have cranked up the pressure on Capello to unbearable levels. England recovered to win that game not because of a good team performance, but because of Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard equalized with a long-range pile driver and then wrapped up the win less than five minutes later, as he beat two defenders and slotted past the goalkeeper.
With 19 England goals so far, Gerrard has already netted more than Beckham, and has performed more dramatic feats at club level.
Gerrard won the 2006 FA Cup for Liverpool as he first dragged the scores to 2-2, and then equalized once more in the last minute from outside the area to force extra time and the penalty shootout from which Liverpool would triumph.
In 2005 Liverpool was staring a UEFA Champions League group stage exit in the face, before Gerrard unleashed a dramatic net buster that secured the progression in the last five minutes.
Liverpool went on to win the tournament, and Gerrard went on to produce one of the great Champions League Final performances of all time.
The heavily favored Milan team had reached the final on the back of an outstanding defence that had conceded far less than a goal a game.
Milan flew out of the gate and went in at the break 3-0 down with the game seemingly up. But Gerrard emerged for the second half and drove Liverpool on to tie the game at 3-3 and force extra time.
The Reds went on to triumph in the penalty shootout.
Gerrard was described in 2009 by the great Zinedine Zidane as the best player in the world. England fans hope his performances in the coming years go some way to justifying those words.
Adam Johnson (Manchester City)
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While Beckham was a very good winger, young Manchester City star Adam 'Jinky' Johnson is arguably a more entertaining one.
Johnson is a throwback to the days when a winger was taught simply to take on his opposite number and get in behind the defensive line to cause problems.
It is something Johnson does superbly.
Johnson has outstanding close control, a good final delivery and lightning pace along with the ability to accelerate quickly from a standing start.
When you put all those factors together, Johnson is a nightmare for defenders to deal with.
The young winger finished the 2009/2010 season as Middlesbrough's leading goal scorer despite leaving the club halfway through the season.
Johnson went on to put in a string of excellent performances for Manchester City, displaying the ability to play on both the left and right wings. His excellent form led to calls from many fans for his inclusion in the 2010 World Cup squad.
While those wishes were not granted, Johnson has been a regular in the Euro 2012 qualifiers and scored in the wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland.
While still young, Adam Johnson is an exciting prospect for the future.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
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Wayne Rooney is enduring difficult times on and off the field right now, but the 25-year-old forward has plenty of time to turn things around and change how his England career will be remembered.
While it is easy to forget, before his injury against Bayern Munich in March, Rooney had netted his 34th goal of the season and was ranked by many as the best sriker in the world.
Rooney returned from the World Cup, and while we do not know if the injury played a part in his disappointing performance, we do know that the tournament meant Rooney continued to play, going almost two years without any significant rest.
His current breakdown that has forced to him taking time away may be very good news for England.
Rooney was finally given the rest most players get between seasons, and his body and mind may come back all the more refreshed for it.
Those who say Rooney has "done nothing for England" do so with a short memory.
The Manchester United forward was Europe's second leading goal scorer in World Cup qualifying, and put in a magnificent performance at Euro 2004.
Rooney became the tournament's youngest goal scorer and netted four goals. Sven Goran Eriksson cited the injury Rooney suffered in the quarter final as a key reason for England's exit.
In addition to the praise of Eriksson, Rooney received hefty praise from Pele. The Brazilian legend stated Rooney had made a greater impact on the tournament than any young player since...Pele!
Rooney has temperament issues, as proven by his 2006 World Cup red card.
But if he needs a role model to turn his image around he need look no further than Beckham himself. Beckham was a national hate figure after his sending off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
He was publicly abused, hung in effigy by irate fans and castigated by the media. A Baptist church hung a slogan outside that read "God forgives even David Beckham."
His actions and performances in the 12 years since have led Beckham to be remembered in a very different way.
It is also worth mentioning that with 26 goals at a relatively young age, Rooney will likely end up with a shot at the England all-time goal scoring record.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
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Jack Wilshere is an unpolished talent, but one with plenty of ability.
Wilshere is winning praise for his play recently from mentor Arsene Wenger, who knows a thing or two about developing world class young talent.
Like many Arsenal youngsters, Wilshere received his debut in the Carling Cup and scored in a 6-0 hammering of Sheffield United. The young midfielder has went on to become Arsenal's youngest player in League and European competition.
Wilshere performed well on the fringes of the Arsenal youth team but received his big break when he went on loan to Bolton Wanderers in January, 2010.
He impressed in his 14 Wanderers appearances and won glowing praise from Owen Coyle for his ability and work rate.
A player with an outstanding football brain for one so young and the ability to pass over a range of distances, Wilshere has tallied one goal and three assists in this season's Champions League.
England fans will hope Wilshere goes on to fulfill his undoubted potential that has seen him compared to Arsenal greats Dennis Bergkamp and David O'Leary.
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
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Ever since his arrival onto the international scene in surprising circumstances, Theo Walcott has proved something of an enigma for England fans.
Walcott was selected in Sven Goran Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad despite having not yet played a Premier League game.
Ironically, a much more experienced Walcott failed to make the plane for the 2010 World Cup squad.
The inconsistent play of Walcott has drawn much criticism, including from former England winger Chris Waddle who said the young winger "does not understand football."
However, despite such harsh words, there is no doubt that when Walcott is on his game, he is a legitimate match winner.
Walcott has searing pace and the ability to skin fullbacks at will. He also has a goal scoring touch that makes him an extremely dangerous threat from a wide attacking position.
Walcott's biggest England performance came in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. With the scars of Euro 2008 failure fresh in the memory, England travelled to face their previous conquerors Croatia in Zagreb.
Walcott put on a virtuoso display and scored a hat-trick as England romped home 5-1 to bury the memories of their previous defeats.
This season, Walcott scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Blackpool.
It is highly possible the play of Walcott will create both excitement and frustration in England players over the coming years, but he does have the ability to produce heroics for the Three Lions.
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