England Football Formation

Lineup (4-4-2)

First attempt at an experiment to make a nation's all-time best XI based on their contribution to civilization. These are the basic rules:

Writers are forwards, with philosophy, science and mathematics in midfield. Artists, composers and architects are defenders. My intent is also to minimize the importance of politics as a field while still recognizing a country's very best, and that's why they are in goal.

I'm still not sure this is England's strongest XI, my first thought was to fill the positions as best I could and find strong partnerships. For instance, Newton and Bacon form a holding midfield partnership, and Dr. Johnson and William Blake can provide width and feed England's star striker, Shakespeare. I chose Elizabeth I as the best option in goal - always a cool head in trouble, I think she earns the captain's armband. I'm still not satisfied with my central defense partnership as their could be few more contrasting options than the romanticist painter J.M.W. Turner and the classic architect Christopher Wren, but few could argue they don't belong in the national team.