England legend offers Thomas Tuchel’s side crucial World Cup advice

EXCLUSIVE England icon Emile Heskey had some words of advice for Thomas Tuchel’s side when he was asked how he dealt with the constant media scrutiny

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Emile Heskey admitted. “I always say that even if I’d only ever played once for England, I would still have been immensely proud!”

Heskey, as it would turn out, would pull on the famous jersey 62 times across two World Cups for the Three Lions. Speaking to Daily Star Sport, the ex-Liverpool star continued: “My first call-up was at Under-16 level.

“And just wearing the England shirt meant everything. To go on and play for the senior team, appear at four major tournaments and have my family there watching me was something incredibly special.

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“Every kid who plays football dreams of playing in a World Cup.” However, with a call-up to the World Cup comes the media scrutiny – which Heskey witnessed first hand as part of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’.

Boasting the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, England were tipped to go far at the 2002 World Cup. However, the dream ended with a moment of magic thanks to Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian magician produced one of the all-time great goals, as he whipped his free-kick over the hands of an outstretched David Seaman.

“You also have to remember the quality of the teams we were competing against,” Heskey continued. “Brazil had players like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, while France had Thierry Henry and plenty of other world-class players.

“We talk a lot about our Golden Generation, but those teams were probably even stronger!”

England have been tipped to go far again in North America, and the ex-England striker urged the current crop to follow his lead when it comes to outside noise.

“I’ve never really listened to all that outside noise, so I didn’t pay much attention to it.”

Heskey was back playing football last week when Cockney Violets were left short following a last-minute dropout ahead of a top division clash at Powerleague Vauxhall.

And when scrambling for a ringer, they hardly expected Heskey to answer the call.

He stepped in as a surprise ringer as part of Powerleague’s ‘World Cup Ringers’ campaign, launched in response to the small-sided football operator’s own research, which found that 84% of 5-a-side players have been left scrambling for a last-minute replacement.*

To help teams affected by player drop-outs, Powerleague has launched its ‘Ringerz’ WhatsApp community. Available across all 44 Clubs, it will connect players with teams needing a last-minute replacement, helping fill vacant spots and keep games going.