Top 5 English players who failed on the international stage

#4 Lee Bowyer

Great things were expected of Bowyer

Bowyer emerged in the late ’90s as a dominant midfielder with the work rate and skill to rival Steven Gerrard. He scored an impressive 6 goals from midfield in Leeds’ unlikely run the Champions League semi-finals as David O’Leary’s young side turned heads around Europe.

At the time, England had a settled first choice midfield with Beckham, Gerrard & Scholes but behind them, options were thin on the ground (even Kieron Dyer was called up!) Yet Bowyer remained absent.

The reason for Bowyer’s exclusion was a controversial court case where Bowyer and teammate Jonathan Woodgate stood trial for grievous bodily harm. Remarkably, Bowyer played whilst the trial was ongoing and produced some of his best football.

Bowyer was cleared of the charges but his reputation was already stained (not helped by previous incidents in Leeds & London). Whilst the case was ongoing (and it lasted almost 2 years), the FA barred Bowyer from England selection and after the trial, he was finally called up.

He was picked to play a friendly against Portugal and when he provided the cross for Leeds teammate Alan Smith to score, it seemed Bowyer had finally arrived for England.

Unfortunately, it turned out he was finishing off with them as in the aftermath of the trial, Bowyer fell out with Leeds over a fine and was soon shipped out to West Ham and eventually settled with Newcastle. But Bowyer couldn’t rekindle the form that made him one of the best midfielders in the country and his career sank into mediocrity.

One way or the other, it would seem like that infamous night out in Leeds cost Bowyer an England career.