EXCLUSIVE: Steve McManaman will march into the England team hotel with his head held high, a European champion with Real Madrid who can't wait to get back out on the pitch for his next game.

McManaman's performance in Real's 3-0 victory over Valencia last Wednesday was as good as I've ever seen him play. He's a player enjoying a rich vein of form. Playing in a European final is great preparation for Euro 2000. I can see him coming through strongly this summer.

Just as you worry about players who have not been on top form, like Fowler and Owen, you know Steve is on a high. My only question mark about Steve - and I raise this even after the events in the Stade de France - is his end product. Does he make and score enough goals?

He tucked away a superb volley the other night. He had shown good technique with a similar volley earlier in the game but the one he put away was of the highest order.

But the final was such an open game. I couldn t believe the space he had to play in. That suited Steve and if every team approached matches in that way, we'd have some great spectacles of open, attacking football.

I'm afraid you can't rely on that happening when top international sides are locked in combat. If opponents believe Steve is our key creative player, he will receive special attention.

Steve has undoubtedly improved as a player from his time in Madrid. He was 28 in February. I think he has picked the ideal time to move abroad. He has learned his trade in England and is now widening his horizons in the Spanish league.

Life in Spain has given him a deeper insight into football. He knows what's important in the game. He is blossoming as a footballer but I don't think he has done enough at international level yet.

The crucial fact that Kevin Keegan will appreciate is that you have to work out a system that brings the best out of Steve. You wouldn't deploy him as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 set-up.

But if you're using three in midfield or can let Steve float as a link between midfield and attack, he can be really dangerous. I sense this is another key area for Kevin and his coaches to assess.

It's easy to say McManaman must play because he is currently England's brightest star. It's harder to find a balanced system that suits England and Steve McManaman ... but it can be done.

Why Wright is the future for England

David James has been widely criticised after his performance in the FA Cup Final but I have other reasons for naming Richard Wright as my third goalkeeper.

A few days before the Wembley showpiece, I saw 22-year-old Wright play for Ipswich in a play-off semi-final against Bolton. The youngster wasn't at his best but I still believe he has the talent to make it at the top level, especially when he's playing regular Premier League football.

David Seaman is unquestionably my first choice. It's also a fact that there is very little between David and Nigel Martyn.

One day Nigel will take over the goalkeeping mantle and it's also important that Wright is prepared for the future. I remember inviting him to train with the senior England squad when I used to take part in the shooting practice.

Normally when a youngster went in goal, the shots would start flying into the net. You spotted the difference between the rookie and the star keepers. That didn't happen with Richard. His positioning was excellent.

I looked to help Owen all round

Two years ago Michael Owen came home from the World Cup acclaimed as the most exciting young player in the world.

The only thing that has stopped Michael fulfilling everything people expected of him after France 98 is injury.

There's no doubting Michael's natural ability. He's a top-quality player with massive potential to get even better. But that troublesome hamstring injury has proved a real problem for him.

You can't play at half or three-quarter pace in major international matches. Michael needs to show he's fully fit and develop a level of self-belief that makes him more confident in what he's doing on the field.

It's ironic, though, that some people are now questioning his fitness level and the fact that he so obviously favours finishing with his right foot.

He is very right-sided. I recall working with him and asking him how much training he did at Liverpool to improve his left foot, in particular his left-foot finishing.

He admitted: 'Not too much.' So, for 20 minutes each day, we worked at putting him through on goal on his left side. I told Michael he looked unbalanced. He admitted he had quite a weak ankle. Apparently he'd sustained the injury when he was younger.

Instead of working him every day as planned, we took him off for a week and sent him into the physiotherapists with instructions for them to give him strengthening exercises for his ankle.

I didn't want us overworking his left side. The physios had him performing special exercises four times each day to strengthen his ankle.

During the World Cup he came into the side against Colombia and missed a chance on his left foot. If it had been on his right side he'd undoubtedly have scored.

He'll get better at that if he keeps practising. He'll get his techniques right. It's only by burying a few goals with his left foot that his confidence will grow.

His critics shouldn't dismiss Michael as a one-dimensional player. As well as having blistering pace, he's intelligent, too. If Michael relied solely on his pace I'd admit there would be a question-mark hanging over him but he has much more than that.

As well as that phenomenal turn of speed he has a sharp football brain. He knows where to run on the pitch. He'll learn more by playing at the top level.

Kevin Keegan will be scrutinising every move Michael makes in training and matches to see how he's progressing. He'll want to know about the special fitness schemes that have been devised to help Michael cope with his long-term hamstring problem.

I have no doubts that Michael will be around at the highest level for a very long time. And just as he made a memorable impact at France 98, this summer's European Championship is coming around at the perfect time for two other English youngsters.

Kieron Dyer and Stephen Gerrard won't be under any pressure and that might just suit them. They can play in a liberated way. Experienced players like Paul Ince can provide the important midfield platform so that Dyer and Gerrard can be their natural selves.

They go to Euro 2000 in the way Michael went to France 98. They should feel free to produce their best. There's no baggage on their shoulders.

Of course, Owen won't be a surprise package this time.

But, if he's fully fit, he has the ability to turn any game England's way.

Part One: Teddy is the man to panic Europe

Hoddle's England squad: