England has produced many truly outstanding footballers. Although they may not have clinched more than one major international title, the Three Lions have witnessed some of the greatest footballers ever grace the pitch in the famous white jersey over the years. But who is the greatest English player of all time? Let’s find out the top 10 best England soccer players through the following article with bestsoccertips!
Ranking of the 10 best soccer players in England
10. Gordon Banks
A legendary goalkeeper, renowned for what is considered the greatest save in World Cup history – denying Brazil icon Pele’s shot at the 1970 World Cup – Gordon Banks was between the posts when England won the World Cup in 1966. Many fans would still pick Banks between the sticks when assembling the greatest England XI of all time.
Shilton may have more England caps, but Banks – who played for clubs like Leicester City and Stoke City at the club level – is arguably the finest goalkeeper ever produced in England. This shot-stopper continued playing until the age of 40 with a career spanning nearly two decades. He passed away in February 2019 at the age of 81.
9. Paul Scholes
From a technical standpoint, few English players were as skilled as Scholes. It’s a shame he was occasionally misused on the left flank while playing for his country, a common reason for England’s failures in the 2000s. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Scholes should have been midfielders capable of winning major awards, but it seems no manager could make it happen.
Many of the world’s greatest players and coaches have sung Scholes’ praises over the years. This exceptional midfielder devoted his entire club career to Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson and racked up trophies aplenty. His final haul includes 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.
8. Sir Bobby Charlton
Wait a minute, how could Sir Bobby Charlton only rank eighth on this list? The only explanation is that young football fans fail to recognize just how special the Manchester United legend was. Charlton tragically passed away in October 2023 at the age of 86, and the outpouring of tributes for the former United midfielder has shown the impact he had on the sport in the country.
As a Ballon d’Or winner in the England team that won the World Cup, Charlton certainly deserves to be in the top five on this list at the very least. Many would argue he is the greatest player England has ever produced, and modern fans perhaps fail to recognize Charlton’s abilities and stature in the sport.
7. Bobby Moore
The greatest defender England has ever had and may ever produce, it’s no wonder Bobby Moore has a statue outside Wembley Stadium. Still considered the nation’s finest center-back in history – even with the likes of incredibly talented players such as Rio Ferdinand and Terry playing since Moore retired – is a testament to the former Hammer’s remarkable skill.
Moore captained the England team to victory in the ’66 World Cup, and in every aspect, he was a class act both on and off the field. Synonymous with West Ham, Moore sadly passed away in 1993, at the age of 51, after a battle with cancer. Even after his passing, Moore’s legacy will endure forever as the only person to date to lift the World Cup trophy for England.
6. Frank Lampard
Arguably the greatest goal-scoring midfielder in English history, with 211 goals solely for Chelsea, Frank Lampard racked up a total of 106 appearances for the England team between 1999 and 2014. With the quality of a former West Ham academy talent, along with the other players on this list, what’s truly remarkable is that the Three Lions have never even threatened to win any major titles.
Lampard reached the pinnacle of his career through hard work and significant dedication after being largely underestimated by the media in his early days. Runner-up to Ronaldinho in the 2005 Ballon d’Or vote, Lampard is deemed worthy of respect due to his impressive achievements throughout his career.
5. Harry Kane
As England’s all-time leading goal scorer, it’s fair to say that Harry Kane has exceeded all expectations, both at club and international levels since 2015. Many doubted him early in his career, labeling him as a ‘one-season wonder’, but Kane has truly silenced his critics since then.
Winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, Kane – who departed Tottenham for Bayern Munich in the summer – will likely open up a considerable gap between him and England’s second-highest goal scorer Wayne Rooney in the coming years. He ranks second in the all-time Premier League goal-scoring list and is poised to stay in that elite group for a very long time. Perhaps he might even return to the Premier League at some point and claim the pole position.
4. Wayne Rooney
Speaking of Rooney, the Manchester United and England legend currently occupies the fourth position on this list. Should he be higher? Some fans would certainly suggest so. He still remains Manchester United’s all-time leading goal scorer to this day with an astounding 253 goals. Rooney also held the record for England’s top scorer until March 2023, when Kane surpassed it, as mentioned earlier.
As an incredible all-round footballer, Rooney produced one of the finest individual displays for the Three Lions at Euro 2004 when he was just 18. It’s unfortunate that he could never replicate that form again in his international career, although he still served his country admirably.
3. Alan Shearer
The all-time leading goal scorer in Premier League history with 260 notable goals, Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer is certainly one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history. Capable of scoring every type of goal, Shearer is a phenomenal talent for all ages. The early signs of his potential success on the national stage were evident when Shearer scored on his England debut against France in 1992.
Currently a renowned BBC commentator, Shearer breathed a sigh of relief when Kane left the Premier League for Bayern. His Premier League all-time goal-scoring record seems safe again – for the time being. Shearer even continued to share his views on Kane’s move to Bayern Munich, while also sending his best wishes to the former Tottenham star, further endearing himself to English fans.
2. David Beckham
Mocked after his infamous red card against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham somehow turned that situation around and became one of the most beloved figures in English football. A series of recent documentaries released on Netflix have provided fans with a truly deep insight into the life Beckham lived during his playing days, only adding to his popularity among football fans in general.
The former England captain played for his country 115 times, and each appearance clearly meant a lot to him. In those appearances, Beckham was the most prolific international assister in the 21st century and more than any other English player with a total of 32. This further underscores the importance of Manchester United’s former number 7 on the international stage for the Three Lions.
1. Steven Gerrard
In the eyes of football supporters, Steven Gerrard is the greatest footballer England has ever produced. Is that fair? Many would argue that the Liverpool hero perhaps shouldn’t top this list, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a remarkably talented player.
True to the definition of a ‘Roy of the Rovers’ type footballer, Gerrard truly is a complete player. Use him in any position on the field and he’ll surely excel. The stick often used to beat the former Liverpool midfielder is that he lacks a top-flight English title in his trophy cabinet, although Gerrard is widely regarded as the greatest player never to win the Premier League.
Conclusion
In essence, the compilation of the top 10 best soccer players in England encapsulates a rich tapestry of talent, passion, and dedication to the sport. From goal-scoring prowess to leadership on and off the field, each player has carved out a unique legacy within the annals of football history. As fans reminisce about unforgettable moments and stellar performances, these players serve as enduring symbols of excellence, inspiring generations of aspiring footballers and captivating audiences worldwide with their remarkable skill and unwavering commitment to the game.
