Is there any one England international footballer from our recent past that could have got us at least to the final ?

[Silkyskills1]

But Greaves only played in 2 games and didn't score. Bobby Charlton got us to the final and he was the best player in the world for the next 2 years. Greaves was an amazing player and would be priceless today.

I'd agree that Bobby Charlton was one of the most well-known footballers worldwide during that era.

[HiroshimaClaret]

Rooney 2004. But for his injury against Portugal he would have led us to Euro's victory and had been unplayable in the 3 group games and against Portugal before he went off

He WAS sensational in those games. WOW stuff!

[Hipper]

In answer to the OP unequivocally no. The only ' world class player we had in 1966 was Jimmy Greaves and he wasn't really 'flavour of the month' as far as Ramsey was concerned. Check his goalscoring record; it really does speak for itself. Ramsey got lucky,first with the poor discipline of a far superior Argentina and then with a 'run of the mill' striker in Geoff Hurst who 'came good' at just the right time and good luck to him. He's certainly benefited from it since. World class players that 'lead' their teams to glory really are few and far between and the only ones that spring to mind are Maradona and possibly a combination of Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller. I omit Pele simply because of the level of players he had around him. Yes, Ronaldo and Messi are high quality players but neither will be remembered for their achievements for their respective countries. I don't expect that England,or for that matter, any other countries are likely to have 'world class' players at their disposal in the future simply because the demands of the modern game don't allow for it. Good players,yes, outstanding players possibly but world class is a level that I believe genuinely belongs to the past.

Of course Cruyff nearly did it. Zidane I would also suggest.

[HiroshimaClaret]

Lothar Matthaus was a monster in 1990.

[Dazzler]

Tommy Lawton ?

[Silkyskills1]

Of course Cruyff nearly did it. Zidane I would also suggest.

Good call for both but especially Cruyff. The Dutch team of that 1974 World Cup were a joy to behold. Some very ordinary players( Suurbier, Reisbergen), some good players(Krol,Haan, Van Hanegem,Rep and Neeskens) all danced to the tune of orchestra leader in chief,Cruyff. It was their arrogance and for some players(Van Hanegem) their sheer hatred of Germany that was their ultimate downfall. Yes, Johann Cruyff, the nearly man.