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Joe Cole picks his best England #One2Eleven on The Fantasy Football Club

Joe Cole celebrates after scoring during the opening round Group B World Cup football match Sweden vs. England, 20 July 2006, Cologne, Germany
Image: Joe Cole played 56 times for England

Former West Ham and Chelsea winger Joe Cole has given us his #One2Eleven of England stars he has played with.

Cole, who came up through the youth teams at West Ham before spells with Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Coventry, won 56 caps for England and scored 10 goals. 

He's played alongside some of the world's best players, and won three FA Cups, three Premier League titles and two League Cups during his seven years as a Chelsea player.

Cole, who picks a diamond formation, tells us who makes his England XI...

Jo Cole
Image: Here's who Joe Cole picked in his #One2Eleven

Goalkeeper: David Seaman

He was special. He was 35 at the 2002 World Cup and a lot of people were worried about it but he was unbelievable. He kept England in the game when they drew 0-0 with Nigeria. He was brilliant. If he'd been born five or 10 years later, you'd have him for another 10 years and that would have made a big difference in our team.

Right-back: Gary Neville

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People don't realise how good he is, and he was a leader. He was our best captain, rather than Becks. He was the one who was always sorting people out. People don't appreciate him and he was good with me. He was the first big player I saw and he was always good with me and helped me out. He's a lovely guy. 

Left-back: Ashley Cole

There's only one Ashley Cole. There'd be no surprises there. I played in front of Ashley and it just makes the game easy for you. You know, little things. Others might be as quick as Ashley or as strong as Ashley but he would just give you the ball at the right time. He's made a lot of players look really good in front of him - I knew he was coming on the outside so I'd be able to reverse the ball to him.

Ashley Cole spent eight seasons at Chelsea before moving to Italy
Image: Cole picked namesake Ashley as his best England left-back

Centre-back: John Terry

His reading of the game - people don't appreciate how good he is on the ball. He'd be my captain as well. The influence he has at the club and what he means to the fans, as well as the fact he's probably still their best centre-half, just keeps the continuity. 

Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand

I think Rio's more adapted to modern day football. He could play in any era because he can do anything - there's nothing he can't do. JT gives you a threat in the other box - he scores a lot of goals and between them they're just solid.

Midfield: Steven Gerrard

I remember playing with Stevie at Under-18 level and, the first time I'd seen him, he was the epitome of a player that can do anything. If he wanted to play centre-forward in the Premier League, you know he's getting you 20 goals. If you want him to play centre-half, you know he's keeping you clean sheets. He's got everything and it's a shame to put him in that position but I think he's got everything.

David Beckham scored for England when they beat Turkey 2-0 in qualifying for Euro 2004
Image: David Beckham and Steven Gerrard both make the cut

Midfield: David Beckham

When I first got in the squad I think those were probably his peak years for England. In terms of what he did for England, he was tremendous. 

Midfield: Frank Lampard

Frank could play in any of those positions in the diamond. He's an unbelievable player and the best finisher I've seen, and bearing in mind I've played with some of the best strikers in the world. What I'd say to young players now is, 'watch Frank'. It's not just the finish - the touch is always there. And that just comes from years of practise. He could do things that I couldn't do so I was trying to improve. He was just brilliant in and around the box.

Attacking midfield: Paul Scholes

You could swap him with Gerrard, because he played deeper the older he got. He's probably the most technically gifted English player I've seen. The 'silent assassin.' He was just the main man, a star. No one could get near him. He was just a super talent.

Striker: Michael Owen

His career was bright so early and between the ages of 17-23 he was a killer in front of goal. He was so clever with his movement and he should be involved with England, working with our strikers. He was a dream to play with.

Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli were on the scoresheet as England beat France at Wembley
Image: Wayne Rooney is up front alongside Michael Owen in Cole's side

Striker: Wayne Rooney

I've always felt Wazza can play in any position. He can play as a No 10 but I've liked him as a No 9. Particularly when he was coming onto the scene with his pace and power and his movement, he's probably one of the most complete of the players because he's got that bullish strength and that big-game mentality. He would always turn up in the big games.

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