Memories of 1998

Chelsea, for instance, had 11 players representing 10 different countries but only one was English - Jersey-born Graeme Le Saux.

In all, 17 of the 32 competing countries shared more than 70 English club players, 10 per cent of the cast list. And while this said much for the wages available in the English game it didn't say much for the prospects of youngsters hoping to progress through the ranks.

I remember former Tottenham and England striker Clive Allen warning of future problems on the home front. He had also played for Bordeaux under France manager Aime Jacquet and said: "What impressed me was the time and energy the French devoted to youth development. When I was there Dugarry and Lizarazu were both emerging."

Jacquet benefited spectacularly from the youth system when he guided a talented French team, including Dugarry and Lizarazu, to their first World Cup triumph.

They were a revelation, winning their group despite a two-match ban on the fabulous Zinedine Zidane and then beating Paraguay, Italy and Croatia to claim a place in the final.

Glenn Hoddle, having axed Paul Gascoigne at the pre-World Cup training camp, steered England to the second round, where they met Argentina in St Etienne.

Michael Owen scored a spectacular goal but David Beckham was sent off for a petulant kick at Diego Simeone and after 120 minutes the game was locked at 2-2. The penalty shoot-out had the usual ending for England, with Paul Ince and David Batty both missing.

Brazil didn't win many friends this time but they negotiated their way past Norway, Morocco, Scotland, Chile, Denmark and Holland - remember Dennis Bergkamp's fantastic goal against Argentina? - to reach the final.

Ronaldo, their potential match winner, collapsed mysteriously hours before kick-off but turned up insisting he play. Mario Zagallo, Brazil's manager, reluctantly agreed but Ronaldo's contribution was minimal in a match dominated by Zidane, whose two headed goals helped France secure a 3-0 win.