ONLY one English participant has ever performed within the Champions League remaining, however by no means represented the England nationwide group.
Jermaine Pennant by no means received the possibility to play for England at a senior stage, regardless of placing in a Man of the Match efficiency for Liverpool through the 2007 Champions League remaining towards AC Milan.
Jermaine Pennant was Man of the Match within the 2007 Champions League remainingCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
Liverpool team-mates Peter Crouch, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard all performed for England all through their careersCredit score: Occasions Newspapers Ltd
Pennant is the one Englishman to have performed in a Champions League remaining because the competitors’s rebrand in 1992 to have by no means represented the nationwide groupCredit score: Getty
He did make a quantity appearances for the Three Lions at U21s stageCredit score: Information Group Newspapers Ltd
Pennant was taking part in for the Reds as they misplaced 2-1 in a recreation which noticed the Italians take revenge for the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005.
Now retired, the previous winger was simply 24 years outdated when he took to the sector in Greece that night and managed to arrange Liverpool’s solely objective.
Regardless of his spectacular efficiency he nonetheless by no means received the decision to put on the Three Lions on his chest.
Pennant spoke concerning the disappointment of not representing his nation and admitted it was irritating for him as a participant.
Talking to FourFourTwo with Bettingsites.co.uk he stated: “Trying again, I might say it was irritating, particularly once I’m getting the Man of the Match award in a Champions League remaining.
“That complete first season at Liverpool was a spotlight for me, ending with a European remaining.
“However, whenever you have a look at the historical past of it, I’m the one Englishman to play in a Champions League remaining and never be known as as much as the nationwide group, or play within the nationwide group, or get a cap.
“It was irritating. It was by no means right down to my potential. It most likely had extra to do with issues that have been happening off the pitch.”
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Pennant elaborated on his disappointment over the state of affairs in a latest interview with The Mirror.
He stated: “Yeah, it did hassle me. Clearly taking part in within the Champions League remaining, I assumed that’s a large step ahead.
“Then getting the person of the match, clearly I do know we misplaced, however I assumed each English participant who performs in a Champions League remaining they go on to play for his or her nation.
“I used to be good mentally, I used to be good bodily, I used to be in nice kind. And I assumed it may be time earlier than I get known as up into one of many pleasant squads. And it goes from there, but it surely didn’t occur. It type of bothered me to a sure diploma.”
He then went on to assert that he would doubtless get an England call-up if he was taking part in within the present period, including: “I believe if it was on this period, I’m certain I might have gotten a cap as a result of they appear to be giving up caps like Skittles.
“You don’t must play to get known as up nowadays.”
Pennant was well-known for his off the pitch antics, however was additionally extremely rated for his on the pitch potential.
Regardless of not making his senior debut for England he did characterize his nation at u21 stage 24 occasions while on the books at Arsenal.
The now 40-year-old’s profession took a flip following the Champions League remaining after he struggled to keep up a spot with a prime aspect.
He was despatched on mortgage to Portsmouth earlier than having spells at Stoke Metropolis, Actual Zaragoza, Wigan Athletic, Billericay City and Indian aspect Pune Metropolis.