The national football team of England is undoubtedly one of the greatest in the history of this sport. Even though England only won one major trophy, the 1966 World Cup, it’s still one of the most respected nations in the game.
Many football fans respect England because ever since this country played its first international match in 1871, it has produced some of the best football players of all time.
Therefore, I’ve decided to select the top XI English footballers. Since there are so many legendary players to choose from, it was certainly challenging to make this team.
Keep reading to find out who are the best English players that this beautiful sport has ever seen!
Related: Most Successful Football Clubs On the Planet.
GK – Gordon Banks
- National team career span: 1963 – 1972
- Caps: 73
The best English goalkeeper of all time is the legendary Gordon Banks. He was truly incredible during his prime, stopping shots right and left. His skill set earned him the FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year award six years in a row.
Banks had outstanding reflexes and a superb ability to organize his defense, which he demonstrated perfectly at the 1966 World Cup when England won the tournament.
His most spectacular save was when he swiftly dived to his right side and stopped a header from Pele at the 1970 World Cup. Pele even said that he shouted, “Goal!” since he was sure the ball would end up in the back of the net. During his time with the England national team, he kept 35 clean sheets.
As for his club career, Banks mostly played for Leicester City and Stoke City, while he also had short stints at Chesterfield, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Hellenic, and St Patrick’s Athletic.
RB – Gary Neville
- National team career span: 1995 – 2007
- Caps: 85
The next player in England’s best lineup ever is none other than the best right-back who has ever played for this country—Gary Neville. During his time in England, Neville was the first choice for the right-back position, and he made appearances for his country in 1998 and the 2006 World Cup. He was supposed to play for the Three Lions at the 2002 World Cup, but an injury left him on the sidelines.
Neville was part of England’s “Golden Generation,” which should’ve won major trophies, given the superb players in the starting XI, such as Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, Rooney, and so on. Neville is also the most capped English right back.
Besides being the best English right back, he was also the no.1 choice in his position at Manchester United. Neville played for the Red Devils for almost two decades, winning every major trophy imaginable. He lifted the Champions League trophy 2 times and 12 times the Premier League trophy. He was also an integral part of United’s treble-winning team of the 1998/99 season.
CB – Rio Ferdinand
- National team career span: 1997 – 2011
- Caps: 81
- Goals: 3
It was challenging to decide who to partner up with Moore in this lineup since there are many superb center-backs to choose from, like Terry, Adams, and Campbell. Ultimately, I’ve decided to go with Rio Ferdinand, one of the most legendary center-backs who played for the England national football team.
Throughout his career, Ferdinand wasn’t just one of the best English center-backs; he was among the greatest defenders in the world. He proudly represented his country in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups. Even though he’s seen plenty of action while playing in World Cups, he missed out on playing for England in UEFA EURO tournaments.
Regarding his club career, Ferdinand was at the peak of his abilities while playing for Manchester United from 2002 until 2014. He won 6 Premier League titles alongside 1 Champions League trophy while being a part of the Red Devils. Besides playing for Manchester United, Ferdinand boasted the likes of Leeds United, Queens Park Rangers, and West Ham.
CB – Bobby Moore
- National team career span: 1962 – 1973
- Caps: 108
- Goals: 2
This lineup has to include the greatest captain England has ever had—Bobby Moore. He was also the greatest English center-back, who won the 1966 World Cup with his national team. Moore was the backbone of England’s defense in that tournament and became a national hero for helping his country lift the World Cup trophy.
Many world-class football players like Pele and Beckenbauer said that Moore was undoubtedly the best defender they’ve ever faced. Moore had impressive tackling and passing skills, but his main strength was his incredible ability to predict the movement of the opposing players.
Besides his appearance in the 1966 World Cup, Moore played in the 1970 World Cup. Unfortunately, England finished that tournament, losing 3-2 in the quarter-finals against West Germany.
As for his club career, Moore was in his prime as a West Ham United player since he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy in 1965 and the FA Cup in 1964 with this London side. Moore also played for Fulham, Herning Fremad, Seattle Sounders, etc.
LB – Ashley Cole
- National team career span: 2001 – 2014
- Caps: 107
Ashley Cole is the left-back on the best England football team in history. Although many players in England’s “Golden Generation ” didn’t meet expectations, that can’t be said for Ashley Cole.
Thanks to his lightning-fast pace and ability to read the game, he had many players in his pocket throughout his career. Even though Cole wasn’t a goal scorer, he was a threat to opposing teams because of his speed and precise passes. He played in three World Cups and two UEFA EURO competitions for England.
In his career as a club player, Cole was well-known for being the no.1 left-back at Chelsea and Arsenal. While playing for the Gunners, he lifted 2 Premier League trophies and 3 FA Cups. As for his time at Chelsea, Cole won 1 Premier League title, 4 FA Cups, 1 Champions League trophy, and 1 Europa League trophy. Apart from playing in those two London clubs, Cole spent the final years as a footballer in Roma, La Galaxy, and Derby County.
RM – David Beckham
- National team career span: 1996 – 2009
- Caps: 115
- Goals: 17
There were many players who could’ve filled this position, but the right choice would be David Beckham. In the “Golden Generation” of English football players, Beckham was arguably the best of the lot. He was an otherworldly passer with a knack for scoring outstanding free kicks.
His most notable goal was a sensational free-kick against Greece in 2001 that sent England to the 2002 World Cup, where they were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals by the star-studded Brazil team. Beckham was hated for a long time by English fans because of his red card against the Argentinians at the 1998 World Cup, which fans blamed as the main reason England had to pack their bags and head home.
Despite being hated by fans, Beckham regularly attended England’s international games, amassing 115 caps and appearing in three World Cups.
Besides being the star of the England national team, he was the star player for Manchester United. While being a part of the Red Devils, Beckham appeared in over 450 games and scored 99 goals. With United, he won numerous trophies, including 6 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League trophy, and 2 FA Cup titles. Throughout his career, Beckham played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and AC Milan.
CM – Bobby Charlton
- National team career span: 1958 – 1970
- Caps: 106
- Goals: 49
Bobby Charlton isn’t just one of the greatest English players, he’s one of the best footballers who has ever set foot on a pitch. He was a soccer legend who made his debut for England only a couple of weeks after the tragic Munich Air Crash in 1958 when eight Manchester United players and three referees sadly lost their lives.
Bobby mostly played in the central midfield, but he was also an attacking midfielder who scored 49 goals for his country and was the third-best scorer ever for England. His most memorable appearance was in the semi-finals at the 1966 World Cup, when he bagged two goals against the Eusebio-led Portugal. Also, he was an instrumental figure in the finals of that tournament against Germany, when England demolished them 4 -2. Charlton appeared in 4 World Cups while playing for the Three Lions.
Aside from being an important soccer player for England, Charlton was the star footballer of Manchester United. While at the Red Devils, he appeared in 758 games and netted 249 goals. He’s the second player with most appearances for United, after Giggs. Charlton won many trophies with United, but the most notable were 3 Premier League titles and 1 European Champion Clubs’ Cup trophy.
Charlton also played for Preston North End, Waterford, and Perth Azzurri.
CM – Paul Gascoigne
- National team career span: 1988 – 1998
- Caps: 57
- Goals: 10
Paul Gascoigne, nicknamed “Gazza,” was one of the most talented English soccer players. He certainly deserves to fill the central midfield spot in England’s all-time XI. He was an excellent playmaker whose creativity made him one of the most thrilling players on the pitch.
At the 1990 World Cup semi-finals against West Germany, Gazza became the nation’s hero when he started crying after getting a yellow card that meant he couldn’t play in the finals if England won. Gazza’s performance after getting booked was phenomenal, but England lost on penalties.
He scored ten goals for England, but the most memorable was at the 1996 EURO when Gascoigne scored a masterful volley against Scotland. His time on the national team ended after an unfortunate event: he wasn’t chosen for the 1998 World Cup squad after eating kebabs a week before the selection. After hearing about this decision made by England’s manager, Glenn Hoddle, Gascoigne destroyed Hoddle’s hotel room.
Regarding his club career, Gascoigne played for many teams like Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Burnley, Everton, and so on.
Gazza was a player riddled with controversy, but no one can deny that he was among the finest English players in history.
LM – Steven Gerrard
- National team career span: 2000 – 2014
- Caps: 114
- Goals: 21
This wouldn’t be England’s best lineup in history if I left out the great Steven Gerrard. He’s undeniably among the best midfielders in the world in his generation. One of the main reasons why he’s a part of this lineup is his immense leadership, super-sharp passes, and ability to score sensational long-range shots.
With 114 caps, he’s the fourth player with the most appearances for England’s national soccer team. Gerrard represented England at three World Cups and three UEFA EURO tournaments and was the team’s captain from 2010 until 2014.
Besides his international career, Gerrard played for the better part of his playing days as a Liverpool player, where he reached the status of an icon. During his time with the Reds, Gerrard lifted many trophies, but he’s most proud of the 2005 Champions League trophy. In 17 years while playing for Liverpool, Gerrard amassed 710 appearances and bagged 186 goals. In 2015, he left to play for LA Galaxy, where he ended his illustrious career in 2016.
ST – Wayne Rooney
- National team career span: 2003 – 2018
- Caps: 120
- Goals: 53
Wayne Rooney was a once-in-a-generation footballer who left a tremendous mark in the history of this beautiful game. The most fascinating thing about Rooney wasn’t only that he was the youngest-ever player (17 years and 111 days) who debuted for England’s national team. It was also the fact that he scored a goal 216 days after his debut and became England’s youngest goalscorer. Wayne was a superb striker who was fast, strong, and had great technique with the ball.
At the EURO 2004, Rooney became a young superstar who bagged four goals in three matches. He played at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups and in the EURO 2012, too. Even though Rooney was a great goalscorer for England, he often had issues with poor form and injuries.
Regarding his club career, he’s mostly known for being a Manchester United player. He played for the Red Devils for 13 years, appearing in 559 matches and scoring 253 goals. Rooney lifted 1 Champions League trophy alongside 5 Premier League titles. Besides Man United, he also played for Everton, D.C. United, and Derby County.
ST – Gary Lineker
- National team career span: 1984 – 1992
- Caps: 80
- Goals: 48
England’s all-time XI lineup wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include one of the best strikers that this country has ever produced—Gary Lineker. He was a one-of-a-kind forward and a lethal finisher who managed to score four goals in two different games for England. He proudly represented his country in 2 World Cups and 2 UEFA EURO competitions.
His best tournament was the 1986 World Cup, where he was the no.1 scorer with six goals. Three of those goals came against Poland in the group stages, when he recorded the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history. It took him only 20 minutes to complete the hat-trick. Lineker also starred in the 1990 World Cup, netting four goals.
Lineker’s national team career had a pretty sour end. In 1992, England was playing a friendly against Brazil, and Lineker was really close to breaking Charlton’s 49-goal record, but he missed a penalty in that game. Later that year, manager Taylor substituted him versus Sweden at the EURO 1992 and denied Lineker an opportunity to break the record. That was his last game for England.
As for his club career, he boasted the likes of Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Everton. Gary also played for Barcelona, where he lifted the biggest trophy of his career—The European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989. During his playing days, Lineker scored close to 300 goals.
Featured image taken from YouTube.
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