Pure Talent Gary Lineker says former Everton player was ‘as good’ as anyone he ever played with

Gary Lineker has named a former Everton star as one of the best players he’s ever played alongside.

It’s fair to say the former England striker enjoyed a remarkable career for club and country. The 63-year-old played for five clubs during his lengthy career, including a year-long stay at Goodison Park, where he scored 38 goals in 53 games.

Lineker also spent time with Tottenham and Barcelona, scoring a total of 129 goals in 275 matches. Having played alongside some of the all-time greats, Lineker’s view on the modern game should certainly be respected.

And in the latest edition of the Rest is Football Podcast, the former England striker said something that could interest Evertonians.

Peter Shilton, Chris Waddle, Bryan Robson and Peter Beardsley are just some of the English greats Lineker played alongside.

The Match of the Day host has even suggested playing alongside Beardsley allowed him to hit the back of the net more frequently.

However, Lineker has named former Toffee Paul Gascoigne as one of the best he’s played with.

Speaking on the Rest is Football, he said: “I played with him obviously for club and country. An extraordinary human being. In terms of pure talent as good as anyone I’ve ever played with, but having watched Wayne Rooney as well. Different skills, different abilities but kind of similar personalities, both wonderful players.”

Everton just a pit stop in Paul Gascoigne’s career

Unfortunately, Gascoigne only managed 37 appearances across two seasons with Everton, scoring one goal.

Evidently, he played his best football during his time with Tottenham and Newcastle United.

Whilst in North London, Gazza racked up 111 appearances, scoring 33 goals and registering six assists. It was a similar story in the North East, where he scored 24 times in 104

Everton signed the England legend when his career was evidently declining. There were glimpses of his Italia 90 best during his Goodison Park stay, with his performance against Leyton Orient in 2002 still remembered to this day.

It’s a crying shame Evertonians didn’t witness one of England’s greatest-ever players performing regularly at his brilliant best.