FIFA 14 best England team
Here's a selection of the best England team available in FIFA 14. The team is a mix of youth and experience, with the likes of rookies like Jack Wilshere and veterans like Steven Gerrard on the same pitch. A 4-4-2 formation has been applied for the Three Lions. So take a look at FIFA 14's best England team.
Joe Hart
Role: Goalkeeper
Potential Rating: 85
England Caps: 43
Debut: v Trinidad and Tobago, 1 June, 2008
The Manchester City gloveman has cemented his place as England's first-choice goalkeeper. The towering shotstopper has been crucial in City's recent succeses, and has won two Premier League titles with the Citizens. The City star won the Premier League Golden Glove for three consecutive seasons (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13).
Ashley Cole
Role: Left Back
Potential Rating: 85
England Caps: 107
Debut: v Albania, 28 March, 2001
The Arsenal academy product is considered to be the finest left-back in the sport. Though in recent years, Leighton Baines has threatened to take over, in FIFA 14 Cole is still numero uno. The 33-year-old is England's most-capped full back , and has featured in the 2002, 2006 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup for his country.
Rio Ferdinand
Role: Centre Back
Potential Rating: 83
England Caps: 81
Debut: v Cameroon, 15 November, 1997
Rio Ferdinand has been a mainstay in England's central defence for long. At the age of 19, Ferdinand was handed his first England cap against Cameroon. It made him the youngest defender to play for England at that time. The London-born defender has been the subject of two record-breaking club transfers. The first one when he joined Leeds United in 2000, from West Ham, for £18 million. The second one paved way for a move to Old Trafford, as he left Leeds for rivals Manchester United for £30 million in 2002.
John Terry
Role: Centre Back
Potential Rating: 83
England Caps: 78
Debut: v Croatia, 20 August, 2003
Former England captain John Terry is arguably one of Chelsea's finest players ever. The Blues skipper has led the West London side to three EPL titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the 2012 Champions League. Though courted by controversies, Terry is a genuine team man, and has delivered 100 percent always for the Three Lions. Inspite of having announced his international retirement in September 2012, Terry continues to be a part of the England squad in FIFA 14.
Micah Richards
Role: Right Back
Potential Rating: 83
England Caps: 13
Debut: v Netherlands, 15 November, 2006
Micah Richards is one of those rare examples to have developed his career since his youth years at Manchester City, and not being a high-profile signing. Richards joined City as a 14-year-old and has since then plied his trade for the Citizens. He earned his first England cap owing to an injury to Gary Neville. His debut against Netherlands, made him the youngest defender to debut for the Three Lions, breaking Rio Ferdinand's record.
Steven Gerrard
Role: Central Midfield
Potential Rating: 83
England Caps: 114
Debut: v Ukraine, 31 May, 2000
The England veteran is handed the captain's armband in this team. He has played in three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014) for his country, captaining them in the 2010 campaign. The 34-year-old is a legend at Anfield, staying with the Reds throughout his club career. The midfielder was ranked second in the list of "100 Players Who Shook The Kop", a Liverpool fan poll, which had Kenny Dalglish at the top. With 114 caps, Stevie G is England's third-highest capped player of all time.
Jack Wilshere
Role: Central Midfield
Potential Rating: 89
England Caps: 20
Debut: v Hungary, 11 August, 2010
Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere is a relatively newcomer in the England team. The 22-year-old earned his first England cap in 2010 versus Hungary as a 18-year-old. The Arsenal academy product featured in his first World Cup in 2014, but unfortunately had to suffer a group stage exit. For his club Arsenal, Wilshere functions as deep-lying central midfielder, or more of a box-to-box midfielder and was drafted into the first team after he won the Premier Academy League in 2009.
Adam Lallana
Role: Right Wing
Potential Rating: 82
England Caps: 9
Debut: v Chile, 15 November, 2013
Lallana joined Southampton as a 12-year-old in 2000. Since then he has gone on to establish himself as a promising attacking midfielder in the Premier League. His heroics with the Saints finally earned him a England call in 2013 versus Chile in a friendly at the Wembley Stadium. Lallana gathered interest from several English clubs before being signed by Liverpool in July 2014 for £25 million.
Raheem Sterling
Role: Left Wing
Potential Rating: 84
England Caps: 5
Debut: v Sweden, 14 November, 2012
Raheem Sterling has already impressed for England at a young age of 19. The teenager is of Jamaican descent and was allowed by FIFA to play for England in 2009. His England debut was not one he will remember much. Sterling's debut was taken over by the Zlatan show, as Ibrahimovic netted four goals, including a superb overhead kick to crush the Three Lions 4-2 at the Wembley. But boss Roy Hodgson placed his trust on the Liverpool winger, and selected him for the 2014 World Cup.
Daniel Sturridge
Role: Striker
Potential Rating: 83
England Caps: 14
Debut: v Sweden, 13 November, 2011
Since he left Chelsea for Liverpool in January 2013, Daniel Sturridge has completely transformed his career. The Birmingham-born striker was always known for his potential, but failed to cut a mark in the Premier League. Since his move to Anfield, Sturridge has plundered 35 goals for the Reds in just 49 outings. His new confident avatar has earned him more caps for England in recent times.
Wayne Rooney
Role: Centre Forward
Potential Rating: 87
England Caps: 95
Debut: v Australia, 12 February, 2003
Wayne Rooney has been the rock on which the England team has been built around for years. The Manchester United striker was handed an England cap at just 17 years of age in 2003, owing to the promise shown while at Everton. Rooney has been the Three Lions strike-force leader for long. His 40 goals in 95 outings, make him the joint fourth-highest top-scorer for England, along with Michael Owen.