| If anyone emphasised Sven Goran Eriksson's early policy of picking form players, irrespective of age or club situation, it was Chris Powell. The hugely respected left back's presence in the squad raised many media eyebrows but he earned his debut and became Charlton's first England player for 36 years in Eriksson's first game as England thumped Spain 3-0 (the photo above is during the game), and then stuck around for the resumption of the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, playing a firm and effective game as England defeated Finland 2-1 at Anfield. The emergence of youthful Arsenal star Ashley Cole then did for Powell's future ambitions - not that, as a player pushing 32, he had any realistic long term hopes - but he appeared as a sub three more times, put Charlton's progress in the Premiership back on the footballing map and capped off a satisfyingly respectable career in the game. (Matthew Rudd) |