I was a better goalscorer than England legends Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham – but managers didn’t give me a chance

ROBBIE FOWLER has claimed he was a better goalscorer than Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham.

He also believes their better England records are down to managers not giving him a chance.

News Group Newspapers LtdRobbie Fowler has claimed he was a better goalscorer than Teddy Sheringham and Alan Shearer[/caption]

The former Liverpool striker scored seven goals in 26 caps for the Three Lions, compared to Shearer’s 30 strikes in 63 caps and Sheringham’s 51 caps and 11 goals.

Recalling his international woes, Fowler told Up Front with Simon Jordan: “I’d scored nearly 100 goals before I was called up to England – that to me is extraordinary.

“Today I’d be in the England squad in an instant with the way I was playing back then.

“England had the likes of Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Ian Wright, Les Ferdinand and Andy Cole, but I genuinely would back myself to be better than all of them.

“In terms of goalscoring, I was probably the best at that time.

“I wasn’t playing in the best team by any means and I never had a team built around me like other players did like Shearer at Blackburn and Wright at Arsenal.

“I’m not having a go at them and they didn’t concern me, what did concern me was the fact that I couldn’t even get a look in despite the amount of goals I had scored. At the time it was hard to take.”

Fowler made his England debut aged 20 in 1996 and was called up for the Euros later that year.

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However, he would only make three major tournament appearances before his final cap in 2002.

“I didn’t enjoy playing for England for the simple fact that I never played enough,” he continued.

“When I played, of course I loved it, but I always had the feeling that I was a bit-part player.

“Anyone will tell you that if you’re always going down there, in the squad, but never really getting a look in, it’s more than a bit demoralising.

PA:Press AssociationFowler scored seven goals in 26 caps for the Three Lions[/caption]

“I played for England 26 times, only starting 11 of those, and only finishing the game in four of those starts. I don’t think I really got a decent chance.

“The managers at that time obviously just thought that other players were better than me, it’s as simple as that. I didn’t agree with it then and I still don’t now.”

At club level, however, Fowler scored 162 goals in 379 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, Manchester City, Leeds and Blackburn.

He also won five major trophies with boyhood club Liverpool, including their cup treble in 2001.