Alan Shearer picks 'unbelievable' player from his era that would walk into current England side

If he could pick one player from his era to play in Thomas Tuchel's current England side, Alan Shearer would pick former teammate Paul Gascoigne - and for good reason.

Shearer, who scored 30 goals in 63 appearances for the Three Lions, believes Gascoigne - or "Gazza", as he affectionately calls him - would offer "something very different" to England's current crop.

He praises the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, who have become regulars under Tuchel, but the flamboyant Gascoigne, in his own words, was "just unbelievable" in the middle of the park.

READ MORE: Alan Shearer settles Harry Kane debate with clear answer on who is the better striker

"Paul Gascoigne in his prime was something very different"

Unlike so many modern players, Gascoigne played with instinct and freedom. He was never afraid to take on his man and drive forward with the ball at his feet - a quality that has become increasingly rare these days.

"Gazza was incredible in his prime," said Shearer, who was speaking to SPORTbible in his role as a Betfair Ambassador.

Shearer also name-dropped former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham as someone he would "look at" when picking someone from his era to transition into Tuchel's side.

"Sheringham was more of a no.10, but Bellingham's in there as well, and I guess the problem is that.. well, not a problem, but England are blessed in that position when you look at Bellingham, Rogers and Palmer," said Shearer.

"Morgan Gibbs-White is there, and then you've got Josh King at Fulham, who's in the under-21s, so they're blessed in that position. But Gazza in his pomp was something very different."

Tuchel has plenty of number 10 options at his disposal. Image credit: Getty

Alan Shearer Q&A ahead of England vs Croatia

As well as choosing a player from his era who would slot into the current England side, Shearer was asked to reverse the scenario and name a current international who would have thrived between 1992 and 2000.

"I guess the answer should be Harry Kane, but clearly, I'm not going to put him in the squad ahead of me," said Shearer.

"Looking at who perhaps we missed out with in midfield, I'd probably choose Jude Bellingham. I think it's really difficult, because you've got a genuine superstar in Bellingham and he would have fitted into that team without a doubt."

–– Biggest difference between your England and the current side?

"I just think the big difference between this England side and the current one is the leaders.

"When I look at our team in 96, whether it was Paul Ince or Tony Adams or Gareth Southgate or David Seaman or Gary Neville or Stuart Pearce or Teddy Sheringham or myself, we had leaders and I don’t see as many in this current England side.

"But I guess football then to now is very different in terms of attitudes."

–– Any England defeat still stick in your head now?

"If I could have our chance in a game again, it would be the Germany semi-final at Euro 96 with the penalties because we know that going into the final, we're going to play the Czech Republic.

"On paper we had a brilliant opportunity to win the tournament, so it would have been that semi-final."

–– Who will replace Harry Kane as captain when he retires?

"There are plenty of options to replace Harry Kane as captain. Jude Bellingham's one option. Declan Rice is another. There's no doubt about that. So, I think those two would be the standout straight away.

"That's the thing that you'd look at England now and think well, where's the next centre forward.

"It was noticeable that Tuchel took Kane off and he brought Bellingham on and played him in that position rather than Calvert-Lewin. Whether he's thinking when Kane comes off or Kane can't play, he'll play Bellingham in that sort of more advanced role as a half nine, half 10.

"I don't know, we'll have to wait and see but that would be the one thing I'll look at with England and think about because Harry Kane can't go on forever.

"Harry's not going to be playing the international game at 40 or 41 and I think in terms of captains, then Declan Rice is definitely one in the current team that can take over from Harry Kane."

–– How much did it mean to you to put the England shirt on?

"Personally, walking out at Wembley or walking out for England with the armband on as captain. I don't think it gets any bigger or better than that in whatever you achieve in your career."

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