World NewsCrouch Joins Pompey England Clan |
PETER Crouch became the latest England international to join Harry Redknapp's revolution at Portsmouth when the giant striker completed an £11million switch from Liverpool.
Here, PA Sport's Jim van Wijk takes a look at some of the other England players making the best of it down at Fratton Park.DAVID JAMES - 38 in August, the former Watford trainee has certainly been on a journey of discovery which took him to Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City before arriving on the south coast two years ago. At Fratton Park, James has done much to shed his 'calamity' tag with, for the most part, a string of solid performances which helped Pompey win the FA Cup and put himself back into the England number one jersey.
JERMAIN DEFOE - one of the most natural finishers in the Barclays Premier League, many felt the Charlton youth product was not getting a fair chance at Tottenham and he opted for more regular football with Pompey in £7.5million deal in the January transfer window. Defoe scored on his debut against Chelsea and hit eight goals before the end of the season - while a brace in Trinidad gave a timely reminder to England boss Fabio Capello.
SOL CAMPBELL - was more than a surprise to see veteran England centre-half Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell turn up at Fratton Park when his contract ran out at Arsenal. However, despite now fast closing in on 34, Campbell seems to have found a new lease of life - if perhaps a bit too late for the 2010 World Cup campaign and what would be a 74th international cap.
GLEN JOHNSON - another off the West Ham production line, but whose career stagnated some what following a big-money move to Chelsea. However, with plenty of first-team experience again under his belt at Pompey, the full-back has made the most of injuries elsewhere to get back in the national team reckoning - but he is still waiting a first competitive appearance.
DAVID NUGENT - was the first non top-flight player to make the England squad since 1999 when called up in March last year and netted on his debut against Andorra. That, though, was as good as it got for the then Preston striker, who joined Pompey for £6m in July 2007. Will be hoping for more following a disappointing first season and just three goals, but at 23 has time on his side.
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Crouch Joins Pompey England Clan"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.
Have you got a scoop? Tell us about it and you could be the first to break the news on FourFourTwo.
