‘The Golden Generation sub’: Peter Crouch explains why he never felt the pressure while playing for England

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Peter Crouch never felt pressure in an England shirt – and now he explains why to FFT

Peter Crouch of England celebrates after completing his hatrick and scoring his team's sixth goal during the International Friendly between England and Jamaica at Old Trafford on June 3, 2006 in Manchester, England.
(Image credit: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Former England striker Peter Crouch has explained to FourFourTwo why he never felt the same kind of pressure as much of the rest of the Golden Generation – and why he loved playing for England as much as he did.

Crouch had a record of around one goal in two games playing international football, going to the 2006 World Cup and becoming a reliable squad player, especially for Sven Goran Eriksson. Looking back on those days, he told FFT about how the tense nature of the national setup didn't really affect him.

“Some players in that squad had a lot of pressure on their shoulders… I didn’t class myself as the Golden Generation, I was just the sub for the Golden Generation,” he smiles.

Sven Goran Eriksson the coach of the England team before the FIFA World Cup Group B match between England (2) and Sweden (2) at the Rhein Energie Stadium on June 20, 2006 in Cologne, Germany.

Sven Goran Eriksson always trusted Crouch in an England shirt (Image credit: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)

“I didn’t have that weight: I had to perform better than them at times just to stick around. Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were the first choice and I thought, ‘As long as I’m the best of the rest, I’ll get games’. I got a lot of games around then.” 

Did the Golden Generation perhaps need a Crouchy then, FFT ponders, just as a contrast to the intensity of all those other personalities? 

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“I wouldn’t say I was needed,” he answers immediately, modesty ingrained. 

“But I do think it helped. I had an association with everyone, I’d played for a lot of clubs and I don’t hold grudges. I do think the Premier League was better for the rivalry between clubs. 

Peter Crouch of England celbrates after scoring his team's third goal during the International Friendly match between England and Hungary at Old Trafford on May 30, 2006 in Manchester, England.

Peter Crouch scored 22 England goals in 42 appearances (Image credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“But I only look back on England with fond memories. There was a bit of difficulty at the start, especially when I wasn’t scoring with Liverpool, but just representing England was amazing – and every time I pulled on the England shirt, I felt invincible. 

I felt like even if I only got on for five, 10 minutes, I’d score. I did most of the time! Playing with those players, training with them and watching how they operate, I loved every minute.”

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Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.