To put it briefly
Two renowned players, Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton, are part of the 1966 World Cup winning squad.
There are also a lot of current celebs like Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.
Ranking variables include longevity and success at the club and international levels.
England has produced a number of exceptionally talented football players over the years. The famous Wembley stadium has witnessed countless incredible football players, despite the Three Lions having only ever won one major international tournament.
Wayne Rooney received the most votes and was regarded by supporters as the greatest football player to have ever played for England. However, other supporters would adamantly feel that Bobby Moore or Sir Bobby Charlton should be given that honour because they were instrumental in the nation’s 1966 World Cup triumph. Some of the stars from England’s World Cup victory and members of the nation’s ‘Golden Generation’ are among the top 20 English players of all time, according to our calculations.
Ranking factors
significance to the nation and the club.
accomplishment in the club and the country.
the quality of the teams they represented.
endurance.
Objectives.
helps.
sheets that are clean.
A list of the top 20 English football players of all time
Rank
The participant
Caps
Teams competed for
1.
Charlton, Sir Bobby
106
Blacktown City, Newcastle KB United, Waterford, Preston North End, Manchester United, and Perth Azzurri
2.
Moore, Bobby
108
Herning Fremad, Carolina Lightnin’, San Antonio Thunder, Seattle Sounders, West Ham United, and Fulham
3.
Harry and Kane
103
Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City, Leicester City, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham Hotspur
4.
Wayne Rooney
120
Derby County, Everton, Manchester United, and D.C. United
5.
Banks, Gordon
73
Chesterfield, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Cleveland Stokers, Hellenic, Leicester City, Stoke City, and St. Patrick’s Athletic
6.
Greaves, Jimmy
57
West Ham United, Brentwood, Chelmsford City, Barnet, Woodford Town, Chelsea, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur
7.
Gascoigne, Paul
57
Burnley, Boston United, Middlesbrough, Everton, Lazio, Rangers, Newcastle United, and Gansu Tianma
8.
Keegan, Kevin
63
Blacktown City, Southampton, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Hamburger SV, and Scunthorpe United
9.
Shearer, Alan
63
Newcastle, Blackburn, and Southampton
10.
Gerrard, Steven
114
LA Galaxy and Liverpool
11.
Beckham, David
115
Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and AC Milan
12.
Lineker, Gary
80
Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Everton, Leicester City, and Nagoya Grampus
13.
Matthews, Stanley
54
Toronto, Blackpool, and Stoke City
14.
Ashley Cole
107
Derby County, LA Galaxy, Roma, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace
15.
Scholes, Paul
66
United Manchester
16.
Lampard, Frank
106
Swansea City, Chelsea, Manchester City, New York City, and West Ham
17.
Shilton, Peter
125
Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City, West Ham, Leyton Orient, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Stoke City and Southampton
18.
Michael Owen
89
Newcastle United, Manchester United, Stoke City, Real Madrid, and Liverpool
19.
Bellingham, Jude
40
Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Birmingham City
20.
Pickford, Jordan
73
Carlisle United, Bradford City, Preston North End, Everton, Darlington, Alfreton Town, and Burton Albion
20 England caps: 73 for Jordan Pickford
A contentious character in club football, Jordan Pickford is frequently questioned for his patchy performances. But when he dons an England shirt, you can’t say the same thing. Before the Three Lions advanced to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the Everton goalie solidified his position as the best. Among these was a pivotal penalty stop against Colombia, which led to England’s first-ever World Cup shootout win.
Additionally, he saved penalties in the Three Lions’ quarterfinal win against Switzerland at Euro 2024 and their loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. As an England goalie, Pickford has actually saved five of the 20 penalties he has faced. The Three Lions have advanced to consecutive European Championship finals thanks in large part to his accomplishments in important events.
19Jude Bellingham
England caps: 40
Despite only being 21, Jude Bellingham has already earned 40 caps for England. The Birmingham-born midfielder nearly brought the Three Lions European glory after defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League and La Liga. He scored a bicycle kick in the final moments of Gareth Southgate’s team’s encounter against Slovakia in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024, forcing extra time. In addition, he became the second-youngest player to score for England in the 2022 World Cup.
Bellingham will have many more choices to put an end to England’s 58-year injury streak in important competitions. He will probably win more domestic championships for Real Madrid in the interim, making him one of the most decorated football players in the nation’s history.
18Michael Owen
England caps: 89
Michael Owen is the sixth-highest scorer in English football history with 40 goals for his nation. The former Manchester United and Liverpool striker participated in five tournaments and scored in four of them. His goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup is what made him most renowned and is still regarded as one of the Three Lions’ most memorable goals in a big competition.
Additionally, he achieved great success at home, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup. After winning three championships for Liverpool in a single season, he was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2001. With his goal against Romania on June 22, 1998, Owen continues to hold the record for being England’s youngest World Cup scorer. At the time of the goal, he was only 18 years and 190 days old.
17 England caps for Peter Shilton: 125
Peter Shilton is the man who has played the most games for England. He has therefore done more than enough to merit a place on this list of the Three Lions’ finest footballers of all time. The former Leicester City player spent twenty years with England, making his debut in 1970 and his final appearance in 1990. He played 125 times for his country.
It is impossible to overestimate Shilton’s outstanding legacy with the national team, since he was inducted into the England Hall of Fame in 2002. For a long time, no one could replace him in goal for England in important tournaments.
16 England caps for Frank Lampard: 106
Frank Lampard had a fantastic career with his national team, despite his devastating disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup. Even many of the top strikers in the nation would be jealous of his return to the field, as he has played more than 100 games and scored just under 30 goals.
Even though Lampard is ranked lower on this list than Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard, who are both considered to be among the greatest English midfielders of all time, it is undeniable that he was still an extremely talented football player.
15 Paul Scholes, 66 caps for England
One of the greatest midfielders to have ever played in the Premier League is Paul Scholes. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, he won multiple trophies over his whole club career with Manchester United. The legendary Red Devil was renowned for his superb passing, vision, and control, all of which enabled him to set the pace of games.
The fact that he was often wasted while playing for England is absurd and may have been a major factor in the Three Lions’ early 2000s lack of success. Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard ought to have formed a midfield that could have won the World Cup or the Euros. Unfortunately, no manager was able to complete it, especially Sven-Goran Eriksson. The United player was the best of the three, according to the former Swedish manager.
14Ashley Cole
England caps: 107
Without a doubt, the best left-back the nation has ever produced is Ashley Cole. He is one of just nine players to reach 100 caps for the Three Lions and is frequently considered the best full-back of the Premier League era. He faced Cristiano Ronaldo in a number of memorable matches for England and clubs throughout the years.
Cole was cited by the Portugal forward as his most formidable opponent to date. He was entertaining to watch when he was at his best. The former Chelsea and Arsenal defender was a complete full-back because of his ability to blend defensive duties with offensive danger.
13Sir Stanley Matthews
England caps: 54
An absolute icon in England was Sir Stanley Matthews. In 1956, while playing for Blackpool, he won the first-ever Ballon d’Or trophy. He received the coveted honour at the age of 41, making him the oldest recipient in history. The practically legendary winger’s performance in the 1953 FA Cup Final, also referred to as the “Matthews Final,” is what made him most famous.
He received 54 caps on the international scene. At the age of 41, he became the oldest player from England to ever score for the Three Lions in 1956. Matthews’ lack of success for his country prevents him from making it into the final 10, even though he well deserves a spot in the top 15. He was still a very talented star in his time, though.
12 Gary Lineker, caps for England: 80
During his tenure at teams like Everton, Tottenham, Barcelona, and England, Gary Lineker was a prolific forward who enjoyed scoring goals. He is among the highest-scoring English football players of all time, having scored 256 goals for his club and nation during his professional career.
In the history of the country, only Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, and Bobby Charlton have scored more goals. When he ended as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals at the 1986 World Cup, it was his most memorable moment for his country. Regretfully, Argentina defeated the Three Lions by a slim margin in the quarterfinals. Since hosting Match of the Day for the past thirty years, Lineker has been a constant presence on our television screens.
The England Record of Gary Lineker
Looks
80
Objectives
48
Helps
4.
Honours
N/A
11 Caps for David Beckham’s England: 115
When he was at his best, David Beckham was a true pleasure to watch. His 1998 World Cup red card against Argentina seemed to end his international career. However, he would return in grand fashion, becoming his nation’s captain and amassing 115 caps.
He was among the players who recorded the most international assists in the twenty-first century during those games. Beckham is one of Manchester United’s most illustrious number sevens due to his widespread recognition and on-field accomplishments. The Englishman is a true legend of the game and is without a doubt one of the best free-kick takers since 2000.
10Steven Gerrard
England caps: 114
Gerrard is unquestionably one of the best football players the nation has ever produced, even though many people believe he is the best player to have never won a Premier League championship. His leadership abilities were also unmatched; he frequently carried his team by himself using pure determination. The Englishman is in the top 10 of our list due to his skill at the club level and his longevity on the international scene.
He was Liverpool’s mainstay for more than 10 years, propelling the team ahead with his incredible passing range, rapid shooting, and relentless tackling. One of the greatest players to ever don the renowned Red shirt is the Merseyside legend.
9 Alan Shearer, 63 caps for England
Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals. The legendary striker from Newcastle is considered to be among the best in the history of the division and was able to score goals of all kinds.
After scoring in his 1992 England debut against France, he was bound for greatness with the Three Lions. Shearer played a key role in the nation’s Euro 1996 campaign, which ended in a loss to Germany in the semi-finals. Nevertheless, with five goals, the former Blackburn Rovers striker led the competition in scoring. He is ranked eighth on this list because of his ability to score goals and his value to the team both at the club and international levels.
The England Record of Alan Shearer
Looks
63
Objectives
30
Helps
11.
Honours
Not one
8Kevin Keegan
England caps: 63
The only player from England to win the Ballon d’Or twice is Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979). Legends surround his three-year stint at Hamburger SV following his departure from Liverpool in 1977. In each of the three seasons he played for the German team, he was included in Kicker’s Bundesliga Team of the Season.
After a successful stint with Newcastle, he will also be remembered as one of the team’s greatest players ever. Keegan came to Tyneside for the first time in 1982 and would return twice as the club’s manager. The former Liverpool player captained England at the 1980 European Championship and the World Cup two years later. He is ranked eighth on our list rather than higher mostly due to his lack of success for the Three Lions.
Statistics for Kevin Keegan’s Career
Looks
740
Objectives
254
Helps
119
Honours
UEFA Cup (1973, 1976), Champions League (1977), and Ballon d’Or (1978, 1979)
7 England caps for Paul Gascoigne: 57
One of the most innately talented athletes the nation has ever seen was Paul Gascoigne. That isn’t hyperbole, as the playmaker sailed past opponents as if they weren’t there, despite his numerous off-field issues. At the age of 17, he made his debut with Newcastle’s first team and went on to play 92 games for the squad, scoring 21 goals. Tottenham Hotspur paid a then-record-breaking £2.2 million transfer fee for him because of his performance for the Magpies.
When Gazza had a ball at his feet, he would always make millions of football fans happy. He also had a lot of funny moments while playing professionally. Many England supporters will never forget his goal against Scotland at Euro 1996.
6Jimmy Greaves
England caps: 57
An iconic figure in English football was Jimmy Greaves. He scored 44 goals in 57 appearances for his country during his prime and would score goals for fun. He scored 220 goals in 321 games for Tottenham at the club level. Before a particular Harry Kane shattered the record, he was Spurs’ top scorer for a long period.
Back in his day, the former England international’s speed and excellent finishing touch wreaked havoc on opposition defenders. Greaves almost misses out because he simply didn’t have the longevity for the Three Lions, despite his stellar reputation for both club and country, which puts him in sixth place.
Five Gordon Banks, England’s maximum: 73
Gordon Banks was a reliable player who excelled as a custodian for both club and country. He had outstanding position sense and was well-known for his superb handling. He is still the only English goalie to have won a World Cup, having been instrumental in the Three Lions’ 1966 victory over West Germany at home.
When he denied Pele “the save of the century” in 1970, it became his most memorable moment. Banks stretched to catch the Brazilian’s header that was headed for the goal, diving low to his far right. His club and national records have earned him a spot in the top five, making him arguably the greatest England goalie of all time.
Wayne Rooney
England caps: 120
Wayne Rooney ranks third on the Premier League’s all-time scoring chart and is Manchester United’s all-time top scorer. Before Kane eventually broke it, he also held the record for most goals scored in England. At Euro 2004, he gave the Three Lions one of their best individual tournament performances.
The key reasons he’s in at number four are his longevity, adaptability, and touch of drama throughout his professional career, despite his failure on the international front following the 2004 Euros. He is unquestionably one of the greatest England players of all time in addition to being one of United’s greatest players ever.
Wayne Rooney’s statistics for Manchester United
Premier League Shows
393
Contributions to the Goal
284
Titles in the Premier League
5.
Major Accolades
16
3Harry Kane
England caps: 103
Kane is already England’s all-time leading scorer at the age of thirty. The attacker has 69 goals in 103 outings for the Three Lions since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham in the summer of 2023.
The Spurs icon has led England to the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, as well as the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. With six goals at the 2018 World Cup, he shared the Golden Boot award with five other players who all scored three goals at Euro 2024. He will undoubtedly increase his international total and put a significant distance between himself and Rooney. There is still time to return and shatter the all-time scoring record even though they are no longer in the Premier League. He’s in at number three because of his goal-scoring record and his overall significance for the team and nation.
The England Record of Harry Kane
Looks
103
Objectives
69
Helps
19.
Honours
Not one
2 England caps for Bobby Moore: 108
England’s lone World Cup-winning captain to date is Bobby Moore. After the Three Lions defeated Germany 4-2 in extra time to win the world championship in 1966, he raised the trophy for them at Wembley. The center-back’s leadership and defensive prowess were crucial throughout the competition.
After Peter Shilton, Rooney, Beckham, and Gerrard, the West Ham hero is sixth in the all-time appearances list with 108 games played for England. He won the English Super Cup once and the FA Cup once while playing with the Hammers. He is without a doubt England’s greatest defender ever.
1Sir Bobby Charlton
England Caps: 106
Perhaps the best and most significant player in Manchester United’s history, Sir Bobby Charlton, embodied the qualities of the “ideal football player.” He had a tonne of talent and throughout his career demonstrated excellent professionalism and ethics. After playing a key part in England’s World Cup victory in 1966, he won the Ballon d’Or award that year and came in second in 1967 and 1968.
Charlton was dependable for the Three Lions, scoring 49 goals for his home country and surpassing Rooney’s record of 249 goals for United. His reputation as a model citizen will endure forever. He is unquestionably the greatest English football player of all time and is even considered to be among the greatest to have ever played the game because of his innate talent and goal-scoring record.
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