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. Hurst scored 24 times in 49 appearances for England and, remarkably, the World Cup Final was just his eighth cap. 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 hard-working and earth-shaking forward was in fine form for Manchester United this season, scoring 34 goals in all competitions, despite suffering from several niggling injuries towards the end of the season. After Rooney failed to score in Germany wearing number nine and given the goalscoring tradition established by Hurst and Lineker, it could be a good omen that he has been handed the number ten shirt this time around.
