BRAD FRIEDEL

The former Blackburn, Spurs and USA shot-stopper selects the best he played with and against during a career spanning two decades

LEDLEY KING “I only got to play one full season with him at Spurs, as he had awful problems with his knee that cut his career short. He was a phenomenon. He’d hardly do any training during the week, spending most of the time in the fitness room or riding a bike. But on the Saturday he’d play like he’d trained for months. Ledley was a pretty quiet guy yet his on-field demeanour was massive. He had a big impact on the team. It’s such a shame he couldn’t stay fit – he was one of the finest defenders England has ever had.”

GHEORGHE HAGI “We were team-mates at Galatasaray in 1996. I was on the bench when the US played Romania at the 1994 World Cup and Hagi caused us so many problems. He was superb in that tournament and was one of the best left-footed players of all time. His technique was amazing, especially striking the ball. He could see three pictures ahead of anyone else on the pitch – a true general on the field.”

HARRY KANE “I’ve known Harry since he was very young, and seen him develop into the man he is today. He’s extremely determined and has worked hard to reach this level. Harry has always been a strong finisher, but he’s improved other aspects of his game hugely. Scoring 50 goals in 2017 is a true testament to his greatness. If he can avoid serious injuries, he will be a world-class striker for years. Plus, he’s a team player and a good guy. Despite all of the success, he remains humble.”