In conclusion, England has produced a number of exceptional midfield players over the years.
The superiority of Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard has long been a topic of discussion.
Two of England’s best midfield players, who excelled at different ends of the ground, were part of the 1966 World Cup-winning team.
It’s difficult to define what a “midfielder” is these days. Those stationed in the centre of the park are assigned a variety of tasks, ranging from attacking to defending, and everything in between, due to the decline of set places and the rise in importance of “roles” or “functions.”
They continue to be the mainstay of any elite team, though, as they have done for centuries. After all, it’s commonly said that midfield is where games are won. Additionally, England has been fortunate to have some outstanding all-round players over the years, which has allowed the Three Lions to enter the international arena with a greater sense of expectation.
Midfielders, who are trusted with the responsibility of serving as the core of a team, come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and strengths and limitations. Using a few ranking parameters to help with the arduous chore, these are the best that England has produced.
Factors that rank
Global accomplishments (awards, appearances, goals, assists, etc.)
Club accomplishments, including goals, assists, accolades, and appearances
Individual honours
Football’s legacy
The Greatest English Midfield Players in History
Rank
The player
Duration of Career
1.
Charlton, Sir Bobby
From 1958 to 1970
2.
Gerrard, Steven
From 2000 to 2014
3.
Gascoigne, Paul
1988–1998
4.
Lampard, Frank
From 1999 to 2014
5.
Scholes, Paul
From 1997 to 2004
6.
Beckham, David
From 1996 to 2010
7.
Robson, Bryan
1980–1991
8.
Nobby Stiles
1965–1970
9.
Waddle, Chris
From 1985 to 1991
10.
Hoddle, Glenn
From 1979 to 1988
11.
Wilkins, Ray
From 1973 to 1986
12.
Edwards, Duncan
1953–1958
13.
Carrick, Michael
From 1999 to 2018
14.
Paul Ince
1986–2007
15.
David Platt
From 1985 to 2001
15David Platt
Career Span: 1985-2001
Without a doubt, one of the best goal-scoring midfielders to wear an England shirt is David Platt. With 27 goals in just 62 games for the Three Lions, his international record is unbelievable.
As a result, Platt has more goals for England than many elite attackers who have represented their nation, and he is just two goals away from making the top 10—a distinction that belongs to Frank Lampard, who has 29 goals. Platt played a key role in England’s 1990 World Cup semifinal run, and he won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for his club-level efforts at Aston Villa in the 1989–1990 season.
The International Career of David Platt
Caps
62
Objectives
27
Helps
2.
Honours
Not one
14 Paul Ince’s Work History: 1986–2007
In the engine room, Paul Ince, the quintessential centre midfielder, could do it all: break up play, pick out a ball, and even venture into the final third to score a goal. Ince would have his best years at Manchester United, where he was a vital member of Terry Venables’ brilliant England team that advanced all the way to the home semifinals of Euro 96.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s guidance, he would win two league titles at Old Trafford. Ince would later display his cojones by joining United’s bitter rivals, Liverpool. Even though he didn’t win many titles after moving to Anfield, Ince was still a formidable midfield player for many years in English football.
The International Career of Paul Ince
Caps
53
Objectives
2.
Helps
10.
Honours
Not one
13 Michael Carrick’s Work History: 1999–2018
Unfortunately, Michael Carrick, one of the Premier League’s most underappreciated midfielders, played during a period when players like Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard were all fighting for a spot in England’s midfield. Carrick’s career with the Three Lions suffered greatly as a result of those three being, understandably, forced into lineups in order to get into an international team.
At the club level, though, Carrick’s efforts were acknowledged, and he played a key role in the triumph experienced in the closing years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure as Manchester United manager. Carrick was as ‘un-English’ as a midfielder could be, with his silkiness and poise on the ball, allowing him to glide raking passes across the pitch and command the play from deep.
The Global Career of Michael Carrick
Caps
34
Objectives
0
Helps
2.
Honours
Not one
12 Duncan Edwards: 1953–1958 Career Duration
One of football’s greatest tragedies, Duncan Edwards’ death in the Munich flight disaster cost Manchester United and English football one of the game’s most thrilling players. Edwards, who is only 21 years old, has already made a significant impression at Old Trafford with his exceptional talent and has played in more than 150 games for the team. He would also play 18 games for England at the international level, scoring five goals. In fact, Terry Venables would subsequently claim that if Edwards had not tragically passed away, he—rather than Bobby Moore—would have won the World Cup in 1996 while captaining England.
The Global Career of Duncan Edwards
Caps
18
Objectives
5.
Helps
3.
Honours
Not one
11 Ray Wilkins Work History: 1973–1986
Throughout his career, Ray Wilkins won the FA Cup and the Scottish Premier League. He was a star for Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, and Rangers. The deep-lying playmaker had a journeyman career that even Nicolas Anelka would have been proud of, having played for Hibernian, Millwall, Crystal Palace, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Wilkins, who is widely regarded as one of the most polite guys in the beautiful game, played a significant role for England during the 1980s, participating in the World Cups in 1982 and 1986 and amassing 84 caps overall. The fact that Wilkins’ 1986 red card against Morocco—the first English dismissal at a World Cup—had no effect on his overall reputation as a great is a testament to his praised character.
The Global Career of Ray Wilkins
Caps
84
Objectives
3.
Helps
4.
Honours
Not one
10 Glenn Hoddle’s Work History: 1979–1988
Glenn Hoddle’s creative instincts led to a glittering career and a brief singing career. He was an inspiration to Tottenham Hotspur’s consecutive FA Cup victories at the beginning of the 1980s before taking his considerable talent abroad to help Monaco lift the French title amid the exodus of English talent at the turn of the decade.
Maybe it wasn’t such a crazy idea for Hoddle and his countryman Chris Waddle to try their hand at pop success since almost everything happened in the 1980s. Their ‘interesting’ record can be compared to ‘Tears for Fears’ combined with maverick football players who have shady haircuts and little stage presence.
Considering the hazy boundaries between a successful football career and a possible appearance on Top of the Pops, the pair thrived when they stuck to their strengths, and Hoddle is the only person on our list to have managed the Three Lions as well. Despite having such a fantastic gift, he is still one of those few talents who was never recognised on a global scale.
The International Career of Glenn Hoddle
Caps
53
Objectives
8.
Helps
3.
Honours
Not one
9 Chris Waddle’s Work History: 1985–1991
It is rare for British football players to capture foreign territory. Many people who relocate overseas fall short of their expectations. But that idea is a bit of a two-edged sword. On the one hand, there are the Real Madrid and Real Oviedo tragedies involving Jonathan Woodgate and Stan Collymore. On the other hand, Jude Bellingham, David Platt, Kevin Keegan, and something called Chris Waddle are all part of the exclusive group of British exports.
The Englishman, who won the French title in each of the three years he played with Marseille Galactico, is renowned for his showreel-worthy elegance on the pitch and his evocative mullet off it. Waddle, a captivating football player with the basic skills to confuse opponents and constantly reward his genius with goals and assists, seemed to be cut from a different cloth than his countrymen at the time. After returning home in 1992, Waddle, who had been a hero of England’s inspiring Italia ’90 campaign, joined Sheffield Wednesday and won the coveted FWA (Football Writers’ Association) Footballer of the Year Award in the first Premier League season.
The International Career of Chris Waddle
Caps
62
Objectives
6.
Helps
One
Honours
Not one
8 The tenure of Nobby Stiles: 1965–1970
The most memorable aspects of England’s 1966 World Cup victory are either Bobby Moore’s grace at the back, Sir Bobby Charlton’s flamboyant genius, or Sir Geoff Hurst’s courageous goal-scoring. However, the greatest summer in English football history would not have been conceivable without the small, unobtrusive presence of Nobby Stiles in the base of midfield.
Ironically, Stiles gave midfield much-needed bite for a man who is renowned for lacking his front teeth. Sir Alf Ramsey vehemently disagreed when asked if he should bench the forceful tackler after a particularly strong performance against France during the group stages. During the worldwide victory, the Manchester United terrier played every minute.
The International Career of Nobby Stiles
Caps
28
Objectives
One
Helps
0
Honours
World Cup 1966
Aside from that,
7 Bryan Robson’s Work History: 1980–1991
Wearing the armband for both Manchester United and England, Bryan Robson—famously known as ‘Captain Marvel’ for his heroic performances—captained his nation 65 times. Along with leading the team to their first two Premier League championships, he is still the Red Devils’ longest-serving captain. He has also presided over three FA Cups, one League Cup, and a European Cup Finals.
Between 1980 and 1991, Robson made 90 appearances for England, ranking fifth among Three Lions players at the time. Only Bobby Moore, Billy Wright, and Harry Kane had captained the country’s men’s team more times than him, and his 26 goals put him ninth on the record at the time.
The International Career of Bryan Robson
Caps
90
Objectives
26
Helps
2.
Honours
Not one
6 David Beckham’s Work History: 1996–2010
No one has helped England score more goals since 1996 than David Beckham, the country’s most famous athlete. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player is in a class of his own with his astounding 42 goals scored in 115 caps; Steven Gerrard’s 24 goals come the closest to matching him.
A Red Devils treble winner in 1998/99, Beckham’s career was filled with memorable events, such as his ‘that’ stoppage-time free-kick against Greece that sent England to the 2002 World Cup and his lob from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996 that made him a superstar. He essentially carried over his off-field approach onto the pitch, and his inventiveness sets him far apart from other English midfielders.
The International Career of David Beckham
Caps
115
Objectives
17
Helps
42
Honours
Not one
5 Paul Scholes Work History: 1997–2004
For a large portion of his career, Paul Scholes, a one-club star at Manchester United, was among the best midfielders in the world. He made roughly 700 appearances before retiring in 2011 and surpassing that total after briefly returning to football the following year at Sir Alex Ferguson’s insistence.
The playmaker, who was born in Salford, was a sensation when his exploits on the continental scene helped the Red Devils win a historic treble in the 1998–99 season. Everything he touched was magical. He received 66 caps during his England career, but he might have received many more if not for his favourite teammates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
The Global Career of Paul Scholes
Caps
66
Objectives
14
Helps
14
Honours
Not one
4Frank Lampard
Career Span: 1999–2014
Frank Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time top scorer. During his club’s best years, his ability to launch rockets into the top corner was a defining characteristic of his high-octane style of play. His record of 177 goals as a midfielder in Premier League history, along with his 211 goals in 638 games for the Blues, demonstrate exactly how lethal he was from the periphery of the area.
Lampard won four FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and three Premier League championships. He placed second in the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2005 and was voted FWA Footballer of the Year. One of just seven Englishmen to reach 100 caps for his nation is the strong midfielder.
The International Career of Frank Lampard
Caps
106
Objectives
29
Helps
Twelve
Honours
Not one
3 Paul Gascoigne’s Work History: 1988–1998
Despite Phil Foden’s and many others’ attempts, no one will ever have Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne’s play or hairstyle. The 1991 FA Cup winner with Tottenham, who is considered one of the most naturally gifted players in the game, is also considered one of England’s greatest football players ever. His exceptional playmaking skills solidify his status as a genuine English legend.
The national phenomenon known as “Gazzamania” was sparked by Gascoigne’s popularity during his playing career, leading television presenter Terry Wogan to call him “probably the most popular man in Britain today” in September 1990. He played a key role in the Three Lions’ journey to the 1990 World Cup semifinal, and his game-changing volley against Scotland in the home-based Euro ’96 (complete with the iconic dentist’s chair celebration) solidified his place in English football legend.
The International Career of Paul Gascoigne
Caps
57
Objectives
10.
Helps
9.
Honours
Not one
2 The duration of Steven Gerrard’s career: 2000–2014
A midfield leader who guided his beloved Liverpool to win over West Ham in the infamous 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup finals, the latter of which was thereafter dubbed the “Gerrard Final” due to his incredible goal while injured. Steven Gerrard’s valiant one-man wrecking machine performances embodied the legendary Anfield European Nights.
Without delving too further into the Scholes, Lampard, and Gerrard argument, it was the latter who was deemed the better complete football player by his international coaches due to his ability to play both defence and offence. ‘Captain Fantastic’ brought his best to the international scene, earning 114 England caps, leading the Three Lions 38 times, and participating in six of the seven major championships they qualified for between 2000 and 2014.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: No English midfielder has won the PFA Player of the Month award six times more than Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, and no one has made more appearances in the FIFA Pro World XI (3), PFA Team of the Year (8), and UEFA Team of the Year (3).
The International Career of Steven Gerrard
Caps
114
Objectives
21
Helps
23
Honours
Not one
The career span of Sir Bobby Charlton was 1958–1970.
Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away, had a compelling case for being the greatest player to have ever played for England. Whether deployed in midfield or attack, the Manchester United legend was the backbone of many magical team performances. After surviving the horror of the Munich air disaster in 1958, he went on to forge a legendary, trophy-laden career, scoring 198 goals in 606 top-flight league games alone.
His honours included the Golden Ball for player of the tournament in England’s 1966 World Cup victory, the European Cup, and the Football League First Division three times. Charlton also became the second Englishman (after Sir Stanley Matthews) to win the Ballon d’Or – doing so in 1966, before finishing as runner-up in 1967 and 1968.
The Global Career of Sir Bobby Charlton
Caps
106
Objectives
49
Helps
One
Honours
World Cup 1966
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