Trevor Steven: World Cup call-up is the greatest feeling for a footballer
I was fortunate to be picked for four major international tournaments in a row with England and never had to deal with the devastating news that Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will have had to deliver to those who missed the cut for his squad this week.
Bobby Robson took me to two World Cups in 1986 and 1990 as well as the 1988 European Championships. His successor Graham Taylor also selected me for the 1992 Euros.
Its the greatest feeling ever when youre picked for an England squad. It means youve got through an entire season and managed to stay fit and have played well enough to be in contention by the end. When you get the nod its a massive relief. The last thing you want to do is go on holiday and watch where you might have been because the World Cup is always such an amazing event to be.
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I remember in 1990 when it was between me and Arsenals David Rocastle for the right wing berth. I got it but it could have so easily gone the other way. We went to training in the morning as a provisional 28-man squad, came back to the hotel and then Bobby Robson said “OK, well have lunch and then Ill speak to some players and let them know whats happening”. It was as brutal as that and pure relief when I found out Id got in. For those who didnt, they just wanted to get their bags and go. I cant imagine how emotionally disturbing that was, to be training together in the morning and then by lunchtime your dreams finished.
Trevor Steven in action for England at the 1986 World Cup (Source: Getty)
Ahead of the 1992 European Championships I couldnt believe I wasnt being picked by Taylor for England. I was playing for the French champions Marseille. And my teammate Chris Waddle was being ignored too. We were playing in the French league alongside players like Jean-Pierre Papin and Didier Deschamps but playing abroad we never got a look in. I got a late call-up, scored in a friendly in Moscow and all of a sudden I was a starter — from nowhere.
So theres always an element of good fortune involved. Theres been players ruled out through injury, such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and others like Adam Lallana whose persistent problems make them a doubt when otherwise they would both be shoo-ins. That creates the opportunity for some potential surprises today.
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