Mark Pritchard at that time, Spurs was a sound decision... Man Utd was rebuilding under Fergie and the outcome of that was not known yet! But looking back, it would have been some story if he was part of that rebuilding at manchester.

100 per cent agree.

jon lynch THE ENGLAND TEAM HAVE NEVER HAD A PLAYER LIKE GAZZA , NO EVEN CLOSER TO HIS PASSION AND FOOTBALL, GERRARD,ROONEY, OWEN ETC YOU NAME IT, NONE OF THEM HAD THE CHARACTER AND PASSION FOR THE ENGLAND SHIRT.

True, they have a fear of failure, no spontaneity in their game anymore, its been horrific to watch since Euro 96, which was the first tournament I watched and remembered, such a shame, back then it seemed like we'd always be around, now it seems as tho we have more talented players throuout the squad, but the character isn't there. Whole new culture needed from grassroots up, play for love of the game.

you right they arent footballers anymore they became models,singers,etc Beckham brought that shit to the game.

For real. This game required skill. If you were that younger sibling, you had to learn quick!

I'm replaying this now. I'm in Ryugu. The entire game is a treat.

John Barnes was very technically good as well. Rare to find technically gifted English players. I think Sterling can be as good.

Gascoigne was better than Messi.

I'm sorry, but Gazza was nowhere near Messi's level. He was one of the greatest this country has had, but Messi is the best ever

Will Waterman They're a different generation, but Messi has the protection of referees, top quality pitches, science and technology. Paul Gascoigne was still one of the old generation. Pre-technological football etc. I imagine if you put Gazza in modern football, he would have been even better. If you put Messi in football back then, he'd have struggled.

InvisibleYetVisible Messi is levels above Gascoigne.

I totally agree except for the part about tortured and sad. He was the polar opposite an extrovert, loving, friendly happy go lucky soul of the party who was brimful of passion and expression, always smiling no matter what life threw at him and was great with everyone for the most part. Yeah he had his demons sure, and im sure hes doing the utmost not to let it get him down. Its testament to how many people love him, and how much of a joy this playful perhaps emotional sentimental sensitive character gave to many of us. Most of the other people just hide it better, but he was transparent thats why we love him.

Definitely but people will only appreciate wayne Rooney when he retires.

irGuilty Doubt it. My generation (I'm 27) idolize Gazza, and he'll never be forgotten. As for Rooney, on his day he;ll destroy teams, he's just played in a different way and not use as a CF.

irGuilty sorry mate but there's just no comparison. Not even close. Rooney is a good player, always has been, a competent striker with a decent record. Gascoigne at his peak was probably the best player in the world, he really was. I think this generation forget how talented Paul Gascoigne was because of his off field demons but as a footballer he would have walked into any team in the world especially at his peak. He's arguably the most gifted footballer England has ever produced. You should read what Bobby Robson said about him at World Cup 1990 and Lothar Matthaus. Gazza couldn't sleep so went down and started playing tennis at 10pm the night before the semi against Germany with some American guys, 2vs1 (as you do the night before a semi final). Robson flew outside and went ballistic and shouted at these two very confused yanks "Do you know who this man is, he's playing in a World Cup semi final tomorrow". The morning after Robson was fretting about how to deal with Lothar Matthaus and considered dropping Gascoigne despite him being the England star player of the tournament. Matthaus was widely considered the most complete central midfielder in the world at that time, briliant at both attack and defence and had basically been Germany's star man. He won several games for Germany on his own and in a lot of ways, carried his German colleagues. Most footballers and management considered Matthaus to be the best central midfielder in the world at that time. Robson wasn't sure if the manic 23 year old could handle the pressure (especially after his tennis stunt) of handling the best player in the world. Gazza had been tearing teams apart left right and centre but Robson needed him to focus on keeping Matthaus out of the game as much as bringing his wonderful skill and creativity to the game. He pulled Gazza over and said "Paul, I need to talk to you about Lothar Matthaus", before Robson could say any more, Gazza quickly interrupted "I've got it sorted boss", Robson replied "But Paul...", Gazza interrupted him again and said "Dont worry, I've got this one boss". Matthaus never got a kick in the entire game. Gazza was all over him like a rash. Matthaus had met his match and was unable to release his talent on the game. Gazza on the other hand, not only had Matthaus in his pocket, but was running the game single handedly. Everything England did well that game had come through Gascoigne. Matthaus has subsequently admitted on several occasions since that game, that he just couldn't get near the ball. Gazza was quicker, more determined, stronger and far more skilful. Gazza's performance was probably the greatest individual performance in an England shirt, despite the loss. Perhaps Beckham's against Greece is the closest but it's still a mile off. At the end of the tournament, both Matthaus and Gascoigne rightfully took their respective places at centre midfield of the FIFA World Cup Best 11, where they will be forever remembered as the two greatest central midfielders of that generation and probably the two best players of the tournament. However, when it came to it, Gascoigne vs Matthaus, there was only one winner, it was Gazza. I've heard that they've struck up a bit of a friendship out of mutual respect for each other. A class that we don't see often enough nowadays. If you want some light enjoyment, you should search for Gascoigne vs Matthaus on Google Images. The pictures tell the story.

I'd argue Paul Scholes was the greatest English player.

irGuilty I think both are on same level. great unfilfilled potential. though Rooney been a top player longer (cos hes been more disciplined and luckier with injuries) and achieved much more. both should of been best win world. both could of got in any team at there best