David James Bio Send To Friend  

As the most experienced goalkeeper in the English top flight it is no surprise that James has a number of milestones under his belt. In April 2007 he broke David Seaman's record of 142 Premier League clean sheets and in 2008 he joined Gary Speed and Ryan Giggs as only the third player to notch over 500 Premier League appearances.

The former Watford keeper signed for £1 million Liverpool in 1992 and was labelled 'Calamity James' for a series of high-profile gaffs. But he still made 279 appearances for the Reds, winning the League Cup in 1995, before enduring trophyless terms at Aston Villa, West Ham United and Manchester City.

Accused of lacking concentration as a younger man, his move to Portsmouth in 2006 coincided with an improved maturity and James established himself in the England team. He made his debut for Glenn Hoddle's England back in 1997 but it took until 2004 to make his mark. He played in all England's matches in Euro 2004 but a characteristic error in a World Cup qualifying draw against Austria in the same year saw him dropped. Fabio Capello selected James in his first squad in February 2008 and he has sporadically been England's No.1 since.

Strengths: A giant keeper who commands his penalty area and is a great shot stopper.

Weaknesses: his decision making has improved with age but he is still prone to the odd clanger, particularly when coming for crosses.

Career high: Putting two FA Cup final defeats behind him to win the trophy with unfashionable Portsmouth in 2008.

Career low: Unfortunately he will probably be best remembered by Villa fans for the error at Wembley that gifted Chelsea the 1999-00 FA Cup. At international level he conceded three soft goals in a 4-1 defeat to Denmark, having come on as a second-half substitute.

Style: Commanding, imposing, but when it comes to his hair he has more than one.

Quotes: "For me he's still the best 'keeper in the country by a million miles." Harry Redknapp, March, 2008.

Trivia: James is an art lover and writer. He pens a column for the Observer and having dabbled with a paint brush on one or two occasions he has held a small exhibition of his work.

Soccernet says: Aging and still prone to odd calamity, but he is experienced and still England's best keeper.