In recent months, England’s best players have been Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane.
Phil Foden shone for Manchester City in 2023/24, but struggled for England at Euro 2024 and hasn’t been as impactful in 2024/25.
One of the best attacking alternatives available to England right now is Ollie Watkins, who has been playing brilliantly for Aston Villa.
Since that victory in 1966, led by Sir Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst, England, one of the traditional juggernauts on the international scene, has eluded any chance of glory.
When Gareth Southgate failed to get the Three Lions over the finish line against Spain in the competition final, it was heartbreaking for England at the 2024 Euros. The setback was exacerbated by the fact that England players and supporters were still reeling from the 2021 finals failure.
Change is in the works as a result of Gareth Southgate’s resignation as England manager following the defeat. Thomas Tuchel, the next manager, will have an abundance of options to choose from in this incredibly talented pool. The top 20 players from England are presented by GIVEMESPORT.
Factors that rank
England’s performances.
current standing for the relevant club.
awards obtained at the club level.
How crucial they have been to the success of their club.
The World’s Top 20 English Football Players [Ranked]
Rank
The player
Club
Appearances in England
1.
Kane, Harry
The Bayern Munich
103
2.
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
40
3.
Palmer, Cole
Chelsea
11.
4.
Bukayo Saka
The Arsenal
43
5.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
33
6.
Declan Rice
The Arsenal
62
7.
Phil Foden
Manchester City
43
8.
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa
18
9.
Anthony Gordon
Newcastle United
9
10.
John Stones
Manchester City
83
11.
Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace
22
12.
Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa
2
13.
Jordan Pickford
Everton
73
14.
Dominic Solanke
Tottenham Hotspur
3
15.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest
2
16.
Lewis Hall
Newcastle United
2
17.
Curtis Jones
Liverpool
2
18.
Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United
10
19.
James Maddison
Tottenham Hotspur
7
20.
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham United
14
1Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
Few players can match Harry Kane at the top of the rankings, who scored 44 goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games for Bayern Munich in the 2023–24 season. Kane is a reliable goal scorer for both club and country. The former Tottenham Hotspur star, who is endowed with dynamism, can do it all: score goals, play with the ball through the lines, drop deeper, and link up with wide men.
The England centurion has done everything in his power to succeed in the German top flight, even though he may not have been able to win the Bundesliga title. The talismanic center-forward, who is regarded as one of the best British players to have ever played abroad, is essential to the success of both the England National Team and Bayern Munich.
Harry Kane’s statistics for 2024–2025
Games
28
Objectives
28
Helps
10.
2. Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
Many clubs were jealous when Real Madrid paid a high price for the Englishman’s services. Jude Bellingham, who is among the top football players in the world in 2024, has effortlessly broken through his ceiling with the world at his feet.
Having come up through Birmingham City’s youth systems, the team was made fun of when they retired the number 22 when he left, although they had every right to do so because he was playing at his best. An elite-level striker would be happy with his 23 goals and 12 assists from the 2023–24 campaign, but Bellingham was accomplishing it all from midfield without his defensive play deteriorating.
Jude Bellingham’s statistics for 2024–2025
Games
32
Objectives
11.
Helps
10.
3. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s 2023–2024 situation would have been significantly worse without Cole Palmer. It’s reasonable to conclude that the young player’s risky career-defining move away from Manchester City paid dividends. He used to be on the periphery of Guardiola’s team, but today he is the most trusted person in west London.
The 22-year-old, who is widely considered to be among the Premier League’s top wingers, launched his senior England career in November 2023 with a 2-0 victory over Malta. He made a strong case to play for England in the 2024 Euros, where he scored in the final against Spain, although the England squad unfortunately lost. He did this after recording 27 goals and 15 assists across all competitions in the most recent campaign. With Thomas Tuchel joining the Three Lions, it is certain that he will get more playing time as he continues to score goals with ease.
Cole Palmer’s statistics for 2024–2025
Games
27
Objectives
14
Helps
6.
4 Arsenal Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka, who is still second in this year’s Premier League assists table despite a long-term injury, is a favorite among Arsenal supporters despite Rio Ferdinand not considering him “world-class.” He has been instrumental in the Gunners’ title-charges over the last two seasons. And that standing extends to the England team.
Saka, who works just as hard as he does, is already a full-fledged England international with 43 caps, and with many more years to go, he might end up holding one of the most appearances in the history of the country. Even if he must currently watch his colleagues from the sidelines, Saka has every reason to be recognized as England’s fourth-best player right now with 20 goals and 14 assists in 2023–24 and an even better start to 24/25.
Statistics for Bukayo Saka in 2024–2025
Games
24
Objectives
9.
Helps
13.
5 Trent Alexander-Liverpool, Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had an amazing season for Liverpool as the Reds attempt to contend for the crown this time around, despite having to miss a period of 2023–2024 due to injuries. The Three Lions will benefit greatly from the full-back’s demonstrated ability to defend as well as attack this season.
The incoming England manager, who will want to use one of the most talented England players more than their predecessor did, may find Alexander-Arnold, who is arguably the best right-back in the league and can play a variety of positions, to be a very alluring prospect. This is especially true after he won three Man of the Match awards under Lee Carsley prior to the announcement of Tuchel’s arrival.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s statistics for 2024–2025
Games
31
Objectives
2.
Helps
7.
Declan Rice Arsenal, number six
One of the first players on Gareth Southgate’s teamsheet for the 2024 Euros, Declan Rice was a cut above the rest and gave an excellent performance. The central midfielder, who scored some crucial goals for Arsenal during the 2023–24 campaign, has improved since joining, even though some people were surprised by the high cost.
Rice’s function for England is essentially the same as it was for the Gunners: to be the glue. The former West Ham United captain has all the makings to be an important member of the England team for some time to come. He is a brilliant tackler with a fantastic engine.
Declan Rice’s statistics for 2024–2025
Games
33
Objectives
3.
Helps
7.
7Phil Foden
Manchester City
The fact that Phil Foden won the Premier League Player of the Season title in 2023–2024 is a testament to his excellence under Pep Guardiola. The teenage forward scored 27 goals and assisted his teammates with another 12, making his 23/24 season by far the greatest of his career.
At the young age of 24, Foden is already on the verge of becoming a club icon after winning the Premier League six times. Regretfully, he had some injury issues at the beginning of the 24/25 season, which limited his contribution for both club and nation. His dismal performance for the Three Lions has also caused him to fall down the rankings, though in recent weeks, that form has begun to somewhat improve.
Phil Foden’s statistics for 2024–2025
Games
31
Objectives
10.
Helps
5.
Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa, number eight
