When James moved south in 2006, we bet you didn’t expect him to win an FA Cup and become England’s no. 1 again. Shows what you know…
Like a fine wine, ‘Jamo’ is improving with age. His form, especially in his second season at Fratton Park has made a mockery of the old ‘Calamity James’ nickname.
Breathtaking saves and ultra-confident handling make him look unbeatable at times. The former Watford, Liverpool, Villa and Manchester City man was a key figure in Pompey’s run to Wembley glory (his first Cup final win in three attempts), saving a penalty and making a string of top-notch stops in the fifth-round at Preston.
Such consistency won him a recall to the England squad and he remains his country’s first-choice keeper at 38, and has the record for Premier League clean sheets.