For most fans, the perfect number ten is a player who possesses great imagination of approach, skill on the ball and the ability to turn a game in his side’s favour. In the Premier League, world class players such as Dennis Bergkamp and Gianfranco Zola have made the shirt their own, and, in Wayne Rooney, the current England team has its own perfect ten. Over the years, great number tens, such as Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker have had a telling impact for England at the World Cup Finals, a trend Wayne Rooney will no doubt look to carry on in South Africa.
An integral part of Alf Ramsey’s World Cup-winning side, hatrick-hero Geoff Hurst is perhaps the most famous England number ten. Hurst’s second goal in the final against West Germany forms part of English football fans’ collective consciousness. Remarkably, the World Cup Final was only Hurst’s eighth cap, and the West Ham striker would go on to earn 49 caps for England, scoring 24 goals. He is fondly remembered by England and West Ham fans for his industriousness and potent aerial ability.
Gary Lineker might not be remembered for his aerial ability, but the former Tottenham and Everton striker’s performances at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups secured his place in the hearts of England fans. Lineker remains the Three Lions’ record World Cup goalscorer, with 10 goals in 12 finals appearances, including a remarkable – and vital – 37-minute hat-trick against Poland.
Hurst and Lineker were prolific and instinctive goalscorers, but they were not perhaps creative number tens. In Wayne Rooney, England manager Fabio Capello has at his disposal a player more than happy to be either goal poacher or goal maker. The pugnacious forward weighed in 34 goals in all competitions for Manchester United this season. Rooney wore the number nine in Germany four years ago and, like Robbie Fowler in Japan and Korea, failed to score a single goal; England fans will hope Fabio Capello’s decision to hand the United forward the number ten shirt will see him reproduce his club form and emulate the achievements of Hurst and Lineker.
