Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch will be wearing the England number nine shirt at the World Cup in South Africa. The number nine shirt has been worn by some of England’s most prolific goalscorers in the past, and, with 21 goals in 38 appearances, Crouch’s record at international level suggests he might be capable of adding his name to that list, which includes Three Lions’ legends such as Bobby Charlton, Nat Lofthouse and Wayne Rooney.
Former Manchester United midfielder is probably the player who first comes to mind when thinking of past England number nines. The midfielder was an integral part of Alf Ramsey’s 1966 World Cup-winning side, playing in all 6 of England’s matches scoring 3 goals along the way. His keen eye for goal was plain for all to see during the semi-final match against a much-fancied Portugal side when he scored both goals in England’s 2-1 win.
Although less well-remembered, Nat Lofthouse’s goal scoring record for England is truly remarkable. The former Bolton Wanderers forward played for Walter Winterbottom’s England side at the 1954 World Cup Finals in Switzerland and, over the course of a glittering international career, scored 30 goals in just 33 games.
Four years ago, Sven Goran Eriksson named talismanic striker Wayne Rooney as England’s number nine for the tournament. The United forward would probably be the first to admit that, after breaking a metatarsal shortly before the start of England’s World Cup campaign, he achieved less than expected in Germany – something he will no doubt be keen to put right this time around.
Crouch opened his World Cup account by grabbing the crucial winner in England’s group game against Trinidad and Tobago. Footballers and football supporters are notoriously superstitious, but few would read much into the fact that England’s number nine has failed to score at the last two World Cups. Crouch will be hoping manager Fabio Capello gives him the chance to add to his impressive goal scoring tally in South Africa.
