Player-by-player: Tournament verdicts on England

David Seaman (8/10)

Games: 5. Goals: 0

His final World Cup will always be remembered for the misjudgement of Ronaldinho's free-kick which was the catalyst for England's elimination. Nevertheless, he kept three clean sheets out of five and proved himself, like Peter Shilton in 1990, still fearsomely impressive as his forties approach. England future: Poor

Danny Mills (7)

Games: 5. Goals: 0

Those who imagined Gary Neville's loss would expose England's right flank were proved wrong. The Leeds defender curbed his indiscipline and demonstrated defensive skills few thought he possessed. The Brazilian press called him The Avenue because he was meant to be 'wide open'. England future: Good

Rio Ferdinand (9)

Games: 5. Goals: 1

Finally and unquestionably justified his £18m transfer fee. His manager at Leeds, David O'Leary, always argued he would sell him at a profit and now Ferdinand can take his pick. Perhaps England's player of the tournament and, arguably, one of the best defenders on the planet. England future: Excellent

Sol Campbell (8)

Games: 5. Goals: 1

Although he was generally overshadowed by Ferdinand, he became increasingly impressive as the tournament progressed and enjoyed a better game than his central defensive partner in both the knock-out matches. Confirmed the quality first seen in France 98. England future: Excellent

Ashley Cole (8)

Games: 5. Goals: 0

Like Mills, erased most of the doubts which hung over him. Was probably England's most impressive attacking force against Nigeria while his dampening of Dennis Rommedahl's fire against Denmark should not be overlooked. Was probably at fault for Rivaldo's goal yesterday but this was a rare error. England future: Good

Wayne Bridge (5)

Games: 2. Goals: 0

As England warmed up for the World Cup against Italy and Paraguay, it seemed the Southampton defender would run Ashley Cole very close for the left-back's berth. As it was, Bridge missed out, but through no fault of his own. A fine replacement should England ever need one. England future: Good

David Beckham (8)

Games: 5. Goals: 1

As dignified in defeat and impressive in victory as any England captain since Bobby Moore. Was probably never fully fit but led decisively from the front, especially against Argentina and Denmark. Such a reception in Japan that he hinted he may end his career there. England future: Excellent

Paul Scholes (7)

Games: 5. Goals: 0

Did not quite have the impact many predicted for him, although it was probably just as well that Sven Goran Eriksson's plans to play him on the left came to nothing. Had his best game against Argentina and his poorest against Brazil in which he was unable to break up a suspect midfield. England future: Excellent

Nicky Butt (9)

Games: 4. Goals: 0

Considering he is not even a regular for Manchester United, he produced several towering performances. Broke up attacks before they gelled and produced the flick which put Michael Owen in for England's second against Denmark. Will Sir Alex Ferguson choose Butt or Juan Sebastian Veron? England future: Excellent

Trevor Sinclair (6)

Games: 4. Goals: 0

Just before it all began, Sinclair was on his way back to London saying he was unwilling to be Kieron Dyer's understudy. Owen Hargreaves' injury meant he had more of a World Cup than Dyer and a very effective one. Not quite the solution to the left-wing problem but an effective stop-gap. England future: Good

Owen Hargreaves (5)

Games: 2. Goals: 0

When the books of England's 2002 campaign are written they will all state that their fortunes turned once Hargreaves limped off against Argentina. This would be unfair on the Bayern Munich midfielder, who is young enough to have another two World Cups in him. England future: Fair

Kieron Dyer (5)

Games: 3. Goals: 0

Under different circumstances Dyer might have exploded on to the world stage much as Paul Gascoigne did in Italia 90. Injury meant he was only a peripheral figure and in none of his appearances as a substitute did he show the flair St James' Park has come to know. England future: Good

Joe Cole (4)

Games: 1. Goals: 0

Hard to evaluate someone whose sole contribution was 17 minutes as a substitute in the desperately-disappointing second half against Sweden in Saitama. The West Ham midfielder's chance will come. The 2006 World Cup has long been marked as Cole's tournament. England future: Good

Michael Owen (8)

Games: 5. Goals: 2

When he scored the opening goal at Shizuoka, it seemed Owen had opened up a path to the World Cup final. He scored only twice but they were splendidly-taken chances. Owen's substitution with 10 minutes remaining yesterday was one of Eriksson's few false moves. England future: Excellent

Emile Heskey (7)

Games 5. Goals 1

Broke his scoring drought against Denmark and gave one of his most impressive displays in an England shirt against Brazil. His work-rate continues to impress, his goals-to-games ratio continues to disappoint. By the time Euro 2004 opens, his true international class should be known. England future: Good

Teddy Sheringham (6)

Games 3. Goals 0

His international career is now over and this World Cup did not allow him to sprinkle the little flecks of magic which so illuminated Euro 96. The Tottenham striker failed to make any meaningful impact when he came on in the closing moments against Brazil yesterday. England future: Nil

Darius Vassell (5)

Games 2. Goals 0

Might have been the surprise package of this England squad and began brightly enough against Sweden but Eriksson's unshakable confidence in the Owen-Heskey partnership meant he barely featured thereafter except as a late substitute in the final game.England future: Fair

Robbie Fowler (5)

Games 1 Goals 0

Showed flashes of flair in the second half against Denmark but one of the game's most natural finishers hardly had a scent of a goal. Now the Leeds striker's mission is to convince Eriksson that the Owen-Heskey double act can be broken up, but that is no easy task.England future: Fair

Nigel Martyn

No appearances

A second World Cup as Seaman's understudy; but the fact that he is three years younger than the Arsenal keeper means that Martyn should be elevated to the front line for the Euro 2004 campaign at least.England future: Good.

David James

No appearances

Will be the answer to the quiz question of who was England's third keeper in the 2002 World Cup. Tim Flowers performed similar duties for Glenn Hoddle, and his career was hardly improved by the fact, neither will James'. England future: Poor.

Martin Keown

No appearances

Brought to the Far East in case the defence needed bolstering but with Ferdinand and Campbell blooming it did not. The Arsenal veteran was therefore surplus to requirements. and his chance has now passed. England future: Nil

Gareth Southgate

No appearances

His form for Middlesbrough suggested he should have been given a game but so solid was the defensive pairing of Ferdinand and Campbell that he never even came close to starting. England future: Poor

Wes Brown

No appearances

Manchester United's view that Brown is technically the best central defender in England will be hard to sustain given Ferdinand's displays. Brown's prime years are, however, ahead of him.England future: Good