10 players who were/are often overlooked by their national teams

#8 Jonathan Woodgate

Injuries curtailed what was primed to be a promising career for Woodgate

Ledley King’s partner in crime during the time 2008-11, Jonathan Woodgate is amongst the players who continued to dish out solid performances, yet were often denied a place in the national team. Woodgate, a product of the Middlesbrough academy, was known for his abilities in the air and could keep even the best of the attackers at bay on his day.

However, he made just 8 appearances for the England national team over the course of the 1999-2008 and found it hard to dislodge the likes of Ferdinand and Terry from the starting spot, despite many pundits deeming him a defender, whose no-nonsense attitude could bring muscle to the Three Lions defence.

The subject of an ill-fated big money move to Real Madrid that didn’t last a long time, Woodgate is now retired and is currently associated with Liverpool as a scout. Perhaps, his footballing intelligence might finally come to the fore should he unearth a gem for the Reds.