I can't really be bothered with an introduction so lets just get on with the footy talk...

Peter Shilton

For me, this was an obvious choice. There were a whole host of keepers I could have chosen from, including the likes of Dino Zoff, Andoni Zubizaretta or even Gordon Banks, but for me this man stood out for several reasons. Firstly, and most obviously, Shilton is England's most capped player ever with an amazing haul of 125 caps. When you consider his career started while Gordon Banks, another legend, was still on the circuit, this is a remarkable feat. Even in his latter years, Shilton managed to fend off the challenge of another great keeper in the form of Ray Clemence.

While I'm on the subject of records, I'd also like to point out that this man was the first and, to this day, only player to play in over 1000 English league matches in a glorious career that spanned over more than 20 years. But what made this man stand out? Shilton had all the qualities of a great keeper. He was amazingly agile, his positioning was faultless and his physical presence was inspirational. Indeed, this man seemed to take a scientific approach, if you like, to the art of goalkeeping. Amazingly, this living legend kept 66 clean sheets during his 125 caps. I don't know if you knew this, but he even scored a goal, while playing for Leicester early on in his career. In 1978, he was voted the players' player of the year, and in 1979 and 1980 his remarkable goalkeeping skills inspired Nottingham Forest to 2 successive European Cup triumphs, their only wins to date. So, for me at least, who else but Peter Shilton as goalkeeper of the greats?

Franco Baresi

Remarkably, Franco Baresi came through the youth system at AC Milan and stayed loyal to the club for 20 years before retiring as one of the greatest defenders in the history of football. In his first few years, AC Milan were struggling in the Serie A. After two relegations and two promotions in four years, it started to come together for Milan, and indeed for Baresi. He was the captain during Milan's most successful period ever, and the way in which he marshalled his defence, and the rest of the team, was astounding.

In an illustrious career, Franco won 6 Serie A titles, 3 European Cup medals, and in the 93/94 season he led his team to an amazing feat of conceding only 15 goals in 34 league matches. His international career was also great, as he earned 81 caps, scoring only 1 goal. When the legend retired, Milan paid tribute to a remarkable player by retiring his infamous no.6 shirt. The thing that made Baresi so great was not only his amazing ability to defend, but his leadership, slick skills on the ball and his unique ability to read the game.

Bobby Moore

Most definitely the greatest defender this country has ever produced, Bobby Moore has been an inspiration for all budding would-be's. Rio Ferdinand was likened to this precociously talented man, but I believe that to be an insult to Bobby. Bobby was ten times the player Rio is or probably ever could be. Not only a great player, but a great sportsman too, Bobby tragically lost his battle to cancer at the age of 51 in 1993. Millions mourned his death, but his memory will live on forever.

He held the record of the most caps for England with a massive haul of 108 caps, in which he scored 2 goals, until Peter Shilton came along, but more importantly, led Englad to their only ever World Cup success in 1966. The one thng that stuck about about Bobby Moore was that he wasn't the quickest player, but that is the only criticism I can find of him. He made up for this with his ability to read the game, which not even Baresi could match. He was, in fact, one of the classiest defenders that ever played. His range of passing would be envied by even David Beckham. His positioning was always spot on and his tackling ability was formidable. In 1970, he attempted to clear the ball and, unfortunately, the ball struck the referee and knocked him out. Ever the cool, collected sportsman that he is, he approached the ref, picked up his whistle and blew to stop the match. A great sportsman, and England's greatest captain ever, Bobby is a must have in any team.

Franz Beckenbauer

Between Beckenbauer and Moore, there were no better defenders in the history of football. Both men held each other in equal admiration, and I challenge anybody to choose who was the best. Franz was slightly more versatile, as he could also play in the midfield. He scored 14 goals in 103 German caps and won the World Cup in 1974. In 6 seasons, between 1968 and 1974, he won 4 German titles and finished 2nd twice, all with Bayern Munich. He led Munich to 2 European Cups, in 1972 and 1976.

Beckenbauer, in many ways, was a very similar player to Bobby Moore. They played in the same era, and so are easier to compare. Franz was slightly quicker than Bobby, with a great reading of the game, he was every bit as good. His tackling ability and positioning was second to none and he also had a good passing range. Surely Bayern Munich's most influential player ever, and maybe even Germany's.

Michel Platini

I guess you've noticed I have only got three defenders, but I felt with those three at the back, I could sacrifice a fourth for some of the most creative players the world has ever seen. Michel Platini earned 72 caps for France and scored 41 international goals. He finished top scorer in the 1984 European Championships. In his career, he scored 224 goals in 429 games, and as an attacking midfielder has the ability to provide numerous goal scoring opportunities, and a few goals of his own.

In the 83/84 season, surely his best, he fired Juventus to the title with 20 goals in 28 games. He won the European Player of the Year award in three successive seasons (83,84 and 85). Platini is one of the most respected footballers to have graced a pitch and is a player that I just couldn't leave out. He could take players on, score goals from anywhere and pull off passes to astound. One of the best playmakers ever, Platini was a unique talent.

George Best

Probably the second most famous footballer, but sadly for all the wrong reasons. George Best was arguably the best winger to have graced English soil. His ability to take on players could surely never be matched. It was like he had glue on his boot to stop anybody taking the ball off him. He could hit blistering shots, and his pace was remarkable. Ryan Giggs was likened to George, and the evidence is plain to see, but I feel Best was the best out. He won 2 English titles with Manchester United and, amazingly, scored 28 goals in 41 games in the 67/68 season. How many wingers nowadays can score as prolifically as that? In the same year he won the coveted European Player of the Year, and deservedly so.

His balance could not be matched by a rodeo rider, and his technique could only be likened to origami - an art that few can truly master. The thing that stood out about Best was his sheer love of the game. Unfortunately, his career was marred by a terrible drink problem, probably caused by the pressure he was under. Also, he loved the celebrity life and couldn't resist a party. By 1971, Best was a shadow of his former self and retired a year later, to go down in history as the biggest waste of talent ever.

Diego Maradonna

Another wasted talent comes in the form of the second best player in the history of football, Diego Armando Maradonna. In an illustrious career, marred by a cocaine addiction, Maradonna scored 34 goals in 91 international games, to become surely the greatest playmaker of all time.

He was the South American Player of the Year two years running in 79 and 80 before moving to Europe to annihilate the best defences in the world. His greatest moment was winning the World Cup in 1986 single-handedly (excuse the pun). The infamous Hand of God marred a superb tournament display by Maradonna. In the same match, who can forget his amazing run when he took on 7 England players, leaving them all for dead, before guiding the ball past Peter Shilton, to score surely the greatest World Cup goal ever.

From that moment, his career went downhill, he was caught for drug use and banned. He made a comeback for Argentina in USA 94, only to test positive to a drugs test, after promising displays. If not for the drug abuse, Maradonna could have become the greatest player of all time.

Johan Cruyff

Maybe best remembered for his scoring ability, I have decided to play this legend on the wing. In 9 seasons with Ajax, he scored 211 goals in 239 games, a tremendous feat by anybody's standards. Johan won 3 European Player of the Year awards in 71,73 and 74 and amazingly won 8 Dutch titles with Ajax in, arguably, Ajax's most successful period in history.

Gifted with immeasurable levels of skill, flair and creativity, Cruyff went down as one of the greatest footballers ever. When he left Ajax, Cruyff was played more as a creative midfielder and his abilities were of great use. Playing in the same era as many greats, such as Beckenbauer, Best, Moore and Di Stefano, Cruyff still managed to catch the eye with skills that even these legends struggled to match.

Eusebio

The first of three strikers included in my line up, Eusebio must go down as one of the greatest strikers ever. He caught the eye in the 1966 World Cup, scoring 9 goals in 6 matches, finishing top scorer. He captured the heart of the nation, if not the world, with breathtaking performances and is widely regarded as the best player Portugal have ever produced. His infinite ability guided Portugal to 3rd place in the World Cup that year, but without him they surely wouldn't have got anywhere.

He made 64 international appearances, scoring 41 goals and scored 46 goals in European club competitions, a feat only beaten by the great Alfredo Di Stefano. He won an amazing 10 Portugese championships with Benfica and scored two goals in the 5-3 defeat of Real Madrid, five times European Cup winners, in the 1962 European Cup final.

Pele

Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, otherwise known as Pele, is arguably the best player to have ever been. In an illustrious career, Pele scored 1282 goals in 1363 competitive matches, including internationals. He scored 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil, who dominated for 12 years between 1958 and 1970. Pele became the only man to win three World Cup medals, winning in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a spell of dominance only broken by England's victory in 1966.

His best season was in 1958, when he scored an almost unbelievable tally of 139 goals. Yes, that is 139 goals in one season! He was only an average-sized man, yet possessed the ability to hit a ball so powerfully and accurately that goalkeepers dreaded playing against him. He was the complete player, gifted with speed, balance, unparalleled vision and even the ability to score great goals with his head.

Pele has remained the inspiration for all footballers from 1958 right through to present day, and deservedly so. Pele, which doesn't actually have a meaning, could display such magical trickery that no footballer has ever come close to matching his natural ability, which was wonderfully combined with an impeccable attitude toward the sport and an unprecedented level of determination to succeed.

Alfredo Di Stefano

Alfredo Di Stefano holds the record for the most goals scored in European club football, standing at 49 goals. Amazingly, Alfredo was capped by three different countries. He was first capped by Argentina, with whom he scored seven in seven. Next came Colombia, who capped him four times. Amazingly, he never scored for them. For Spain however, he was prolific, scoring 23 goals in 31 appearances.

He guided Real Madrid to 8 titles, 2 second places and a third place in the Spanish league in just 11 seasons. He scored a total of 554 goals in 698 games to achieve the feat of being Pele's closest rival for his prolific scoring. He led Real Madrid to 5 European Cup titles in 5 successive seasons, scoring in every final. Unbelievably, one of the most gifted players in history, Di Stefano never participated in a World Cup.

He had a great range of abilities ranging from flair to physical power. His eye for goal was only matched by Pele, and his determination and strength on the ball made him a terrific player. His unprecedented level of stamina made him such a valuable player that when he left Real Madrid for Valencia, Real Madrid finished second in 5 competitions, losing 1-0 to Valencia, paving the way for Valencia to win the league. Alongside Puskas, he formed one of the deadliest strike partnerships of all time.

Formation: 3-4-3

So there it is, my greatest team of all time. What do you think? I realise there are many great players who have failed to make this selection, such as Dixie Dean, Zico, Jairzinho, Socrates, Stanley Matthews, Ferenc Puskas and so on. The list could go on forever, but I hope I have got it right. Feel free to leave your comments, which, as always, are much appreciated. Thanks for reading.