Teddy Sheringham names the ‘worst’ England teammate he ever played with

November 17, 2025 Oliver Obel

Teddy Sheringham spent his England career lining up alongside some of the country’s greatest footballing talents, from David Beckham to Paul Gascoigne. But when asked to name the least impressive player he shared the pitch with for the national team, the former Manchester United and Tottenham striker didn’t mince his words.

And his answer caught many by surprise.

A candid moment on stage

In a lively 2017 interview hosted by TV presenter Bradley Walsh, Sheringham joined his former Nottingham Forest teammate Stuart Pearce for a light-hearted Q&A. When Walsh asked the pair to name the “worst” England player they had ever played with, Pearce paused thoughtfully before eventually offering Carlton Palmer’s name.

Sheringham, however, didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve got a good one. There’s a fella on the radio at the moment. He talks for fun and he makes out he was the best player in the world,” Sheringham said with a grin. “Good player in his time, but he played for England and I saw his debut. I was in the squad, but I wasn’t playing at the time. I watched the game. Absolutely shocking, and he gives out so much stick: Stan Collymore.”

The audience erupted in laughter and applause as Sheringham delivered his verdict, a moment of classic football banter that quickly made headlines. The clip later resurfaced online, sparking another round of debate among fans.

Stan Collymore’s England career

Collymore, remembered for his powerful presence at clubs like Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, made just three appearances for England, two of which were in friendlies, and failed to record a goal or assist.

Yet his club record paints a much richer picture. According to data from Transfermarkt, Collymore scored 62 goals and provided 29 assists in 163 Premier League appearances, representing six different clubs.

While Sheringham’s comment was clearly tongue-in-cheek, it reignited discussion among fans about whether Collymore’s immense talent was underused at international level.

A career on his own terms

Despite criticism throughout his playing days, Collymore has always spoken with pride about what he achieved. Reflecting in an interview with The Guardian in 2001, he explained:

“As a kid I set myself three targets. To be a professional footballer, which I was for 10–12 years. To play for Aston Villa, the club I supported as a kid, and I did. And I wanted to play for England. Again, I didn’t get 50 caps, but I got three and one was against Brazil. How can you call that a failure?”

He went on to add,

“I always find people who do criticise are middle-aged, pot-bellied, really scruffy hacks, and I think to myself: how on earth have you got the nerve?”

Collymore’s words highlight a man content with his own journey, someone who hit the personal milestones he had set long before the fame and scrutiny arrived.

Legacy and reflection

Sheringham and Collymore may not have shared the same chemistry off the pitch, but both left undeniable marks on English football. Sheringham went on to lift the Champions League and Premier League titles with Manchester United, while Collymore became a familiar and often outspoken voice in sports broadcasting.

Nearly a decade after that playful exchange, Sheringham’s remark remains part of football folklore. It’s classic Sheringham: sharp, cheeky, and utterly unapologetic.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, accurate as of 14/11/2025.

Sources: GIVEMESPORT (2017), The Guardian (2001), Transfermarkt.