David James
Tuesday, 22 January, 2008
He returned to the England team for the Germany friendly after a break of more than a year.
David James
DOB 01.08.70
2007 Caps 1, Goals 0
Career Caps 35, Goals 0
Portsmouth
David James' superb form for his club side Portsmouth re-established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in England and earned himself a recall to the national side.
James played a vital role in Portsmouth's upturn in fortunes during 2007 and broke the record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history in the game against former club Aston Villa, in April.
He is also in line to join an elite club of players to have made 500 Premier League appearances, Garry Speed is the only other player to have done so.
Despite being recalled to the international fold for the first time in over a year, James made just one appearance for the Three Lions during 2007, as a second half substitute for Paul Robinson in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Germany, at Wembley, in August.
He was also an unused substitute during the 3-2 defeat by Croatia, also at Wembley, in November. James has vowed to continue to fight for the England Number one shirt and has consistently stated that he will never to retire from international football.
"I always want to be involved with England and wouldn't retire from it. If the new manager fancies it then it would be nice to be in the frame. I wasn't unhappy with my form for my club and wasn't training badly for England so there wasn't an obvious reason for not being involved." David James
"In my view he is the best keeper England have got and would definitely be in my team. He has been fantastic for us (Portsmouth) and is the best keeper I've worked with." Harry Redknapp