From Academy days through to professional football, my career has seen me play against some great players. I have been lucky to share a pitch with some players that could be regarded as being among the best in the world. Here is who I think are the best XI I have played against!
Goalkeeper – DARREN RANDOLPH
The Republic Of Ireland’s number 1, I have always admired Randolph as a goalkeeper whenever I seen him play. Played against him in Pre-Season 2019, he has had a good career mainly in the Championship but also in the Premier League. Currently at West Ham United, a good shot stopper and good with his feet.
Right Back – GEORGE BALDOCK
George has done brilliantly for himself. He was actually the year below me in the MK Dons academy. Never expected him to reach the heights of playing in the Premier League like he does now with Sheffield United. A combative central midfielder when I played against him back in 2013 when he was on loan at Tamworth in the Conference. He now plays a crucial role at Right-Wing-Back in the unusual system Chris Wilder effectively deploys.
Left Back – AARON CRESSWELL
To say I was in sheer admiration for Cresswell’s delivery would be an understatement. Played against him in pre-Season 2013 and I have never seen a delivery quite like it. He was at Ipswich at the time and every cross he delivered was pin point. I come off at the end of the game thinking he had the best left-foot I had ever seen. Now at Premier League West Ham, I thought he may have gone onto to receive more England caps than he has.
Centre Back – LUKE AYLING
I grew up playing against Arsenal academy where they had a central midfield duo of Luke Ayling and Jack Wilshere. Bigger stronger and technically comfortable it was no surprise to see Luke go on to have the career he has. Currently sitting at the top of the Championship with Leeds United he now plays centre back or right back. A real talent from his early days he was destined to always plays at the higher reaches of the football pyramid.
Centre Back – ETHAN PINNOCK
Might be a surprise for some people my selection of Ethan. When he was at Forest Green for many a year, I always thought he was the best player in the Conference. Not the stockiest he was never out muscled or ever looked uncomfortable. Technically the best centre half in the Conference when he played in it, I still think he can go onto play in the Premier League. Currently at Championship side Brentford it will be interesting to see if he can make the next step.
Centre Midfield – JACK WILSHERE
Simply the best I have ever witnessed! In my academy days he used to run every game we ever played against Arsenal. Strong, tenacious and technically outstanding if it hadn’t have been for his injuries I genuinely believe he would have gone onto be one of the greatest English players of all time. The game against Barcelona when he ran the show in 2011 at just 19 years old is still a game I remember fondly. What an incredible talent, injuries have killed him. Currently at West Ham United, a case of what could have been for Jack.
Centre Midfield – JONJO SHELVEY
Jonjo was another who is my age and I grew up playing against him while he was in the Charlton Academy. An arrogance from a very young age, he always knew growing up that he was better than everyone else. A set-piece technician, free-kicks from anywhere inside 30-yards would often nestle in stanchions as helpless keepers stood and watched. Was always going to play in The Premier League and would always let you know even in his younger days how good he was. At Newcastle United now, I always thought he might be an established Top 4 player.
Centre Midfield – FABIAN DELPH
Pre-season games are not always at the intensity of a normal league or cup game. Playing against Delph in pre-season 2014 I realised it didn’t matter what game he was playing in he was desperate to win. Screaming and shouting at his team-mates who weren’t up to his standard Delph was treating it like a Champions League Final. Technically very comfortable and a brilliant athlete, it is clear to see why he has represented his country and played for a club like Manchester City. Now at Everton, Delph has had a great career.
Centre Forward – CONNOR WICKHAM
I played against Connor when he was 16 and breaking through at Ipswich. He was as big as he is now at 16. Strong and quick he knew how to finish even at that young age. Seeing him in them early days he was always go on to play in the Premier League. Injuries have hampered him through his career, now at Crystal Palace maybe another whose injuries have curtailed an international career.
Centre Forward – CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
Pre-season 2014 Benteke was on the verge of a move to Liverpool when he turned up at Kenilworth Road. Media spotlight on him he didn’t fancy it at all. Steve McNulty elbowed him after about 2 minutes and bullied him the whole time he was on. A real goal threat during his time at Aston Villa, the Belgian international has struggled in the last few years.
Centre Forward – HARRY KANE
You would never have believed that Harry Kane would go on to have the career he is having if you watched him back at Norwich City when I played there for Luton in 2013. Didn’t look like scoring he was eventually taken off. Fast forward 7 years and he is the leading marksman for England and the Three Lions captain. Arguably the best number 9 in world football, his price tag now would be a staggering amount. A clinical finisher he can do it all. A boy in 2013, now you wouldn’t want anyone else leading the line.
JJ O'Donnell 