The teams above were also stacked with world class talent and played at a high level. With possible exception of the young German squad in 2006 (who like most German squads RAISED their game on the world stage), these were elite A level national sides. The past couple of World Cups, England has not played well, and have shown that when it matters most, they are at best a B Level national team. The bigggest problem for the English FA, is the overall quality of its player from 1 to 11, and the predictabilty of its on field play. Too few players with flair, imagination and a great first touch when under pressure. For example, in the 2010 World Cup, Spain had more highly skilled players sitting on the bench, than all but 1 or 2 of the English starting 11.

When English players (such as Rooney, Gascoigne or Glenn Hoddle), do have true world class skills, they far too often lack the disipline, drive and fitness, required to beat the elite teams at the world cup.

Lastly, the impressive record of the English club teams in Europe over the past 15-20 years, is somewhat misleading when it comes to national squad’s chances every 4 years at the World Cup. The club sides are littered with higher skilled players from other countries, who provide a level of ball service (for the likes of Rooney), that is missing at the national level. When the higher skilled foreign players are replaced with English born players, the drop off is very notiicable.

England’s club record was even better when you consider they were banned from European competitions for 5 years in this period.