Fabio Capello did what Steve McLaren couldn’t and calmly ensured that England fans won’t be spending another summer twiddling their thumbs while the rest of the world celebrates another feast of football. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, England are heading to the World Cup…and before the media hype gets to the point of hysteria, sport.co.uk thought they’d celebrate the moment by asking who is the greatest player to wear the famous Three Lions badge? We may have only tasted success at international level in 1966 but as the home of the ‘beautiful game’ these fair shores have certainly produced some of the world’s greatest, most charismatic characters to have kicked a ball. How about knights of the realm Nat Lofthouse, Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst of Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Manchester United and West Ham United respectively? Preston North End’s Tom Finney wasn’t half bad either with 30 goals in 76 appearances, nor was the amazing Billy Wright who spent his entire career at Wolverhampton Wanderers. In goal you can’t look past Leicester and Stoke City legend Gordon Banks nor indeed his successor at both clubs Peter Shilton and nineties stalwart David Seaman. In defence, the roaring Rangers and Ipswich Town lionheart Terry Butcher led Bobby Robson’s side to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals; Nottingham Forest favourite Stuart Pearce recovered from penalty heartbreak to play an integral role under Terry Venables in 1996; Arsenal and Manchester United centre-half Viv Anderson broke barriers by becoming the first black player to represent England in 1978; Gunner Kenny Sansom secured 86 caps during a torrid mid-eighties time for the national side securing a reputation as a consistent performer. In midfield the likes of Red Devil duo Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Liverpool’s John Barnes may never have experienced the glory of lifting silverware but they have each undeniably produced inspiring individual performances which have lit up the nation’s hearts. Of the 1966 squad Bobby and Jack Charlton, Alan Ball, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles and Jimmy Greaves are all worthy of inclusion in any debate, while stars of the 70s, 80s and 90s including Newcastle United trio Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Paul Gascoigne, Kop idol Ray Kennedy and FA big-wig Trevor Brooking, Chelsea midfield tyro Ray Wilkins and Aston Villa star David Platt all deserve praise. Strikers Alan Shearer and Tottenham Hotspur’s Gary Lineker may have lacked flair but you can’t argue with their scoring records. Style wasn’t a problem for Glenn Hoddle and Sheffield Wednesday's Chris Waddle who also both racked up more than a half century of competitive matches in the white jerseys. What of the latest generation? Can the likes of Chelsea pair Frank Lampard and John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney make history and secure a life of free drinks down the pub by finally fulfilling their potential in South Africa? And of course no list of legendary England stars would be complete without mentioning the dearly loved Bobby Moore; captain fantastic at West Ham United, cultured and committed on the pitch and a true gentleman.

Ryan Giggs believes the majority of top-flight players deserve their massive wages.

Such has been the explosion of cash into the Premier League over the past few years, that salaries in excess of £100,000 a week, if not exactly commonplace, are hardly unknown.

It is a far cry from the sums on offer when Giggs began his professional career at Manchester United nearly two decades ago, with many critics arguing the inflation has happened so quickly, there is now no connection at all between supporters and the men they support.

Yet Giggs, like long-time team-mate Gary Neville, does not feel the cash is excessive given the contracts being paid to televise the Premier League, which bring in well over £1.5billion.

"There is plenty of money in the game but the majority of the players deserve it," Giggs told ITV's News at Ten.

"There are a number of players that perhaps 20 years ago would not have got paid the money that they're getting now but that is the way that football is."