The next World Cup is around the corner once the small matter of domestic competition is done and dusted.
With arguably one of the best loved footballing nations, Brazil, hosting the event in the summer we take a look at the Palace players that have represented England while at the club.
In truth, Palace have provided more international players to Wales and the England Under 21s than the senior team. But we have had our fair share with five of those from the golden age of the early nineties.
Everyone wanted a piece of Palace back then. This after promotion through the play offs in 1989 and survival the following season in the top division including an FA Cup final appearance running Man Utd close for the trophy. That was not all as the follow up season, notably the hardest, Palace finished third in the top division. Only being denied European club competition by the ban on English clubs following the Heysel Stadium disaster.
Throughout this period, England called upon the services of several Eagles. The biggest surprise even to Palace fans was Andy Gray who managed just a single cap but was reward enough for his club form.
Keeper Nigel Martyn managed three before leaving and winger John Salako five. Legendary striker Ian Wright had five before leaving for Arsenal but topping them all was captain Geoff Thomas with nine.
Since the influx of invites by England for Palace players in that period, it all dried up. Perhaps all or nothing but Andy Johnson is one of two since then managing just the two while Wilfried Zaha being the very latest with one cap in 2012.
There were players before them with defender Horace Colclough and keeper Jack Alderson representing England pre and post the First World War.
There was a wait until along came a striker that many older fans will recall fondly, Johnny Byrne. It was not so long to wait for the next, midfielder Peter Taylor who is the only Palace player to score for England. And he did so twice in his four games. Last but by no means least is defender Kenny Sansom. He managed nine caps while at Palace, along with Thomas the most by any player.
So who is next? That is the big question but arguably the closest since Andy Johnson is Joel Ward who could well be the third Palace defender to play for England. Only time will tell …
List of Palace players that represented England while at the club;
Horace Colclough – Defender – 1912-15
Jack Alderson – Goalkeeper – 1919-24
Johnny Byrne – Striker – 1956-68
Peter Taylor – Midfielder – 1973-76
Kenny Sansom – Defender – 1975-80
Ian Wright – Striker – 1985-91
Geoff Thomas – Midfielder – 1987-93
John Salako – Midfielder – 1986-95
Andy Gray – Midfielder – 1984-92
Nigel Martyn – Goalkeeper – 1989-96
Andy Johnson – Striker – 2002-06
Wilfried Zaha – Midfielder – 2010-13
