Traditionally, the number ten shirt is associated with players who possess game-changing vision, an imagination of approach and skill on the ball. In Wayne Rooney, the current England side has a forward who looks to be cast in the same mould as Premier League legends who have made this shirt number their own, such as Dennis Bergkamp and Gianfranco Zola. In the past, England number tens, such as Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker, have had a big impact at the World Cup finals, a record Rooney will look to continue 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. It is easy to forget that the final was only Hurst’s eighth cap and he had not started the tournament as England’s first choice striker. He is fondly remembered by England and West Ham fans for his industriousness and potent aerial ability.
Although not remembered for his heading, Gary Lineker cemented his place amongst England’s World Cup legends at the 1986 and 1990 finals. 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.
Although Hurst and Lineker were both prolific and potent strikers, they were not creative number tens in the same way as Bergkamp or Zola. 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.
