David James builds his perfect footballer

Former England goalkeeper David James, on a visit to UCFB Manchester, looked back over his career and built his perfect footballer from players he’d played alongside throughout his illustrious career.

Thinking back to players from Three Lions, as well as his clubs such as Liverpool, Portsmouth and Manchester City, David had plenty of talent to select from.

See what he said below…

Right Foot

He played on the right wing for Liverpool. He is the best player I ever played with; Steve McManaman.

He used to run down the wing, two defenders would come on him and he would, in the same movement, just run straight through them. One day I said to him, “How do you get away with that all the time?” He just runs through them. It was like he had the ball on a piece of string. Amazing.

Left Foot

Not because he was cultured, but this left foot just belonged to someone, and that person I love dearly, Hermann Hreidarsson. My former teammate, and my assistant manager when I was in India.

Icelandic and Viking, if there is such a thing.

Heading

I could say Hermann again there, but possibly the best header of a ball, I’ve got to go for big Sol Campbell. He was a monster. Strong, physical. England, Portsmouth.

Footballing brain

There’s a few people I can mention. Wayne Rooney seemed to understand a game of football at such a young age. Just talking to him during a game and after the game, you’re like This guy gets it.

But another player I played with for England, Frank Lampard. When he was playing, you could almost see things around his head. He just seemed to understand everything that was going on on the field.

Fitness

Frank could fit that model as well. He was massively fit. Steve McManaman could fit that. He was massively superior as well. But I’d have to go for James Milner.

James Milner from the age of 16 when he made his debut for Leeds, and still playing, looking to get Gareth Barry’s all-time appearance record in the Premier League.

You look at him thinking he’s got a beard and a couple of wrinkles, but he could still be that 16-year-old. He is an amazing athlete, absolutely amazing.

Attitude

James Milner, definitely. I think someone who did a cool down after getting knocked out of the World Cup Finals has to have the best attitude. I mean, it literally up there with Ronaldo.

Ability

I’m leaning towards friends here, because he was 100% dedicated. He had ability, he was part of winning sides, in the changing room he was humorous. As a friend he had a very good ear, and I think Hermann Hreidarsson will have the other part of my mythical body, because it’s not just about playing football. It’s about so many other different things on and off the field and I think Hermann Hreidarsson ticks all those boxes.

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