The Greatest England players of all time
The 5 Greatest footballers to play for England
The country where the sport originated, England’s close association with football evidently dates back centuries. While widely recognized as a football superpower, England have only won 1 international trophy despite regular appearances at major tournaments.
Despite the trophy dearth, a number of players have dazzled on a regular basis whilst representing the Three Lions, with some doing it in the biggest games.
We’ve looked at the best young English footballers, and now time to look at the ALL-TIME greats. Here then are 5 of England’s best:
Sir Bobby Charlton
Position: Attacking midfielder / Forward
Caps: 106
Goals: 49
Most likely England’s greatest-ever player, Sir Bobby Charlton was an integral player in his nation’s greatest-ever team and proudest moment to date.
1958 - Munich Air disaster and World Cup
His senior international debut came in April 1958, just two months after surviving the Munich air disaster. Charlton was then in his second season as a pro for English giant Manchester United, and was 20-years old at the time. After scoring double figures in each of his first two seasons as a pro, the forward was called up to England’s 1958 World Cup squad.
Though Charlton didn’t play at the ’58 WC, his inclusion in the squad helped establish his place in the national team; 7 goals in his first 6 caps didn’t hurt either. By the 1962 WC, Charlton had scored 24 goals in 30 caps for the Three Lions and was one of the first names on the team sheet. At the tournament, the playmaker started all 4 of England’s games on the left flank, scoring once as the Three Lions exited in the quarterfinals.
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Charlton at the 1966 World Cup
By 1966, Charlton had scored 34 goals in 61 caps for his homeland whilst an established superstar at Manchester United.
This meant he was certain to be called up to the 1966 WC squad. At the tournament on home soil, Charlton started all 6 of England’s games, scoring 3 goals as the Three Lions triumphed at Wembley. The maestro scored the opening goal vs Mexico in the group stages and the game-winning brace against Portugal in the SFs.
His virtuoso performances at the competition earned him a place in the team of the tournament as well as the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament. Charlton also won the Ballon d’Or later in 1966. With Charlton now a national icon, his place in the 1968 Euros squad was certain. At the Euros, Charlton started all of England’s games, scoring once as the Three Lions earned bronze at the nation’s first European Championship.
1970 and beyond for Charlton
Charlton’s last major international tournament was the 1970 WC. At the WC, Charlton started all 4 of England’s games as his side exited the QFs in a disappointing yet valiant defence of the trophy. He retired after the World Cup, aged 32.
An intelligent player with fantastic movement in the final third, Charlton often managed to time his runs into the opposition box to perfection. A versatile player who could play in midfield or the flanks, he was clinical with both his feet and his head. The silkiest of dribblers, Charlton was poetry in motion at his best.
Bobby Moore
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 108
Goals: 2
England’s greatest-ever central defender, Bobby Moore was a natural leader who oozed class on the football field.
Moore’s senior international debut came in May 1962 during his fourth season as a pro for the English side West Ham United. The centre-back was 21-years old at the time, and his debut came after Moore had been called up to England’s 1962 World Cup squad despite being uncapped at the time.
At the WC, Moore started all 4 of England’s games as the Three Lions reached the QFs only to exit that stage at the hands of Brazil.
By 1963, Moore had already captained England for the first time in only his 12th cap. At 22-years old, this made him the youngest senior player to captain England. He was eventually made permanent captain in 1964. By the 1966 WC, Moore had garnered 35 caps for his country.
Glory for Moore in 1966 and beyond
Held on home soil, the ’66 WC is England’s most successful major international tournament to date. Moore captained the Three Lions in all 6 of their games at the WC, keeping 4 clean sheets as the English went all the way and lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley. His resolute performances at the competition earned Moore a place in the WC team of the tournament.
Moore continued to feature prominently for the national side after this, featuring in England’s Euro ’68 campaign.
The centre-back captained the side in all of their games at the tournament as the Three Lions earned a bronze medal for their efforts. Moore’s overall performance earned him another team of the tournament award. Moore’s last major international tournament was the 1970 World Cup.
He captained England in all 4 of their games at the tournament, keeping 2 clean sheets as the Three Lions exited in the QFs. His last cap came in November 1973, Moore was 32-years old at the time.
Having amassed 90 caps as captain of his country, Moore is England’s most-capped captain of all time. His anticipation and tackling were both top-notch, whilst his reading of the game was unmatched. A calm presence on the field, the centre-back would often use his passing range to start attacks after thwarting the opposition. He led by example and spoke only when necessary. A true gentleman, leader and professional.
Wayne Rooney
Position: Striker
Caps: 120
Goals: 53
England’s highest goalscorer of an all-time and second most-capped player ever, Wayne Rooney’s 15-year international career reached stratospheric heights for a player often said to not have reached his full potential.
The attacker’s senior international debut came in February 2003 during Rooney’s first season as a pro at English side Everton. He was 17 years and 111 days old at the time, making him England’s youngest-ever senior player. Later in ‘03, Rooney became the youngest player to score for his country, netting in a 2-1 victory vs Macedonia.
By the end of that year, Rooney already had 9 caps and 3 goals for England.
These performances at such a young age meant the then-wonderkid was certain to be in England’s Euro 2004 squad. At the Euros, Rooney started all 4 of England’s games as the Three Lions crashed out in the quarterfinals.
Playing alongside Michael Owen in a strike partnership of a 4-4-2, the marksman scored 4 goals to finish as the tournament’s second-top scorer at 18 years old. His dazzling performances also earned him a place in the team of the tournament.
By 2006, Rooney had scored 11 goals in 28 caps for the Three Lions whilst then a superstar in his second season at English giants Manchester United. As a result, Rooney was called up to England’s 2006 World Cup squad. However, a foot injury suffered during the final game of the 2005/06 EPL season meant the attacker only started 3 of England’s 5 games as his side exited in another QF. With 0 goals at the ’06 WC, Rooney was also sent off in the QF loss to Portugal.
The English failed to qualify for Euro 2008 but Rooney remained a regular in the national team, with 13 goals in 21 caps between 2007 and 2009. The marksman’s consistency was rewarded with a call-up to England’s 2010 WC squad. Playing as either a support-striker or centre-forward in a 4-4-2 alongside either Emile Heskey or Jermaine Defoe, Rooney started all 4 of England’s games as his side exited in the RO16.
Due to a sending-off in England’s final Euro qualifier, the striker missed the first two games of his country’s Euro 2012 campaign despite being called up. On his return, Rooney scored the winner in a 1-0 win vs Ukraine to ensure England’s qualification for the knockout rounds.
He then started England’s QF loss to Italy on penalties. At the 2014 WC, Rooney played all 3 of England’s games as the Three Lions crashed out via the group stages in disappointing fashion; with the striker scoring one goal at the tournament.
Rooney was named captain of England after the 2014 WC. His last major international tournament was Euro 2016. Playing in central midfield of a 4-3-3, Rooney played all 4 of England’s games at the competition, scoring once as England exited the QFs in shocking fashion vs Iceland. The marksman’s last cap came in November 2018 at 33 years old.
Blessed with immense physicality from his teen years, Rooney grew to become the perfect attacking player technically.
The striker was capable in every aspect; from volleys and headers to freekicks and penalties, long shots and instinctive finishes to picking a pass or keeping the ball. Rooney was also versatile, with his later career spent either as a #10 or a deep-lying playmaker. He is undoubtedly one of the best to ever play for England.
Peter Shilton
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 125
England’s most capped player of all time, Peter Shilton’s 20-year international career illustrates great longevity and professionalism. The shotstopper’’s senior international debut came in November 1970 during Shilton’s fifth season as a pro at English side Leicester City; he was 21 years old at the time. Initially a sporadic member of the national side, Shilton only received 5 caps in the next 3 years until 1973 when he became a regular in the squad.
Shilton’s first major international tournament for England was the 1980 European Championships. By then, the shot-stopper had racked up 29 caps for the Three Lions while being the starting goalkeeper for back-to-back European Cup champions Nottingham Forest. At the tournament held in Italy, Shilton only started 1 of England’s 3 games as his side crashed out in the group stages.
The Peter Shilton story.
Shilton was selected in the squad for the 1982 World Cup despite off-the-field issues affecting his club form. At the ’82 WC, Shilton started all 5 of England’s games as the Three Lions reached the quarterfinals; keeping 4 clean sheets and conceding only 1 goal in the entire competition.
After his performance at the ’82 WC, Shilton became England’s undisputed starting goalkeeper until the end of his international career.
England failed to qualify for Euro ’84, then bounced back by qualifying for the 1986 WC. By the WC, Shilton had amassed 75 caps for his country. Wearing England’s #1 shirt at a major tournament for the first time, Shilton started all 5 of his side’s games, keeping 3 clean sheets as the English exited the QFs of a WC for the fifth time. Shilton also captained his country in 3 of the 5 games. The 1986 WC is infamous due to Shilton conceding from Diego Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ in England’s 2-1 QF loss to Argentina.
At Euro ’88, Shilton started all 3 of England’s games as the Three Lions crashed out of the group stages in a disappointing fashion. Shilton’s last major international tournament was the 1990 World Cup. By the WC, the shot-stopper had amassed 113 caps for his country. At the competition, Shilton started all 7 of his nation’s games as England reached the SFs and earned a fourth-place spot as a result. The ‘keeper kept 3 clean sheets along the way whilst also serving as captain in 2 of the 7 games. Shilton retired from international duty after the ’90 WC, aged 40 years old.
An agile goalkeeper with catlike reflexes, Shilton also possessed fantastic anticipation with strong wrists which saved the fiercest of shots. Not particularly tall at 6 feet, Shilton compensated for this by building up his frame, meaning he remained imposing due to his strength. Shilton was also vocal and communicated with his teammates often, organizing his team’s defence when required.
He is considered one of the best shot-stoppers of the previous century.
Alan Shearer
Position: Striker
Caps: 63
Goals: 30
One of the greatest classic #9’s of all-time, Alan Shearer and his goals were synonymous throughout his career.
Shearer first came to prominence due to his prolific goalscoring in youth international football, scoring 13 goals in 11 games for England’s U-21 side. This in tandem with good form for English side Southampton meant the marksman’s senior international debut came in February 1992. This was in Shearer’s fifth season as a pro and he was 21-years old at the time.
Shearer impressed immediately, scoring 2 goals in his first 6 caps. As a result, he became a regular in the national team squad. However, by Euro ’96, Shearer had only scored 5 goals in 21 caps. At the 1996 Euros on home soil, Shearer dazzled; scoring 5 goals in 5 starts as England earned bronze. Playing alongside Teddy Sheringham in a strike partnership in a 4-4-2, Shearer scored against the likes of Scotland, Holland and Germany. His performances earned him the golden boot and a place in the team of the tournament.
Shearer’s Euro ’96 performance solidified his place in England’s starting eleven and brought the marksman newfound confidence when representing his country.
By the 1998 World Cup, Shearer had scored 16 goals in 35 caps and was captain of the national team. At the tournament, the striker captained the Three Lions in all 4 of their games; scoring twice as his side reached the RO16, losing on penalties to Argentina.
Euro 2000 was Shearer’s final major international tournament. Playing as the captain in a strike partnership of a 4-4-2 alongside then-wonderkid Michael Owen, Shearer scored 2 goals in 3 games as the Three Lions crashed out of the group stages in disappointing fashion. One of Shearer’s goals was the winner vs Germany. Shearer retired after Euro 2000, aged 29.
A classic English centre-forward, Shearer possessed a strong frame at 6 feet with ferocious power in his right foot. Clever in his movement, the marksman was always remarkably composed when presented with a chance to score regardless of the opposition. He was also accomplished from the penalty spot, as well as from headers and freekicks. Shearer is the top scorer in English Premier League history, with 260 goals to his name.
Honourable Mentions:
David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Gordon Banks, Michael Owen and Sir Geoff Hurst.
