Finally it is here! Ranking of the 20 best English footballers of all time (2024)

England has produced some of the greatest football players in soccer history. While the nation is currently witnessing a boom of talented players, they have been the talk of the town. We collated the pick of the bunch and ranked the 20 best footballers of all time. Stay tuned as we discuss each of these legends.

Since soccer takes us back to the early years, it is only fair that we exhaust on the list not living behind any England legend. But who are the best English footballers of all time by position? It is a question which is near enough impossible to answer, but have a look at this article and find more information, including details about the best-looking English footballers of all time.

Who are the best English footballers of all time by position?

According to recent publications, the following players have been rated to be the best of England's soccer players. The ranking is according to their career stats and achievements in football.

20. Billy Wright

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Even though Billy barely makes it to the list of the top most famous English footballers of all time, he is one legend who cannot go unrecognised. He is among those players who played during the Second World War, and his legacy is undeniable. Known for being a traditional centre half, Billy was the first soccer player to reach 100 international caps and captained the England national football team 90 times.

19. Sol Campbell

At position 19, just before Billy, sits Sol Campbell. He has earned 73 caps throughout his international career, which lasted over a decade. He represented the Three Lions during his career seasons at six consecutive tournaments. Of these 73 caps, the one that skyrocketed his fame was against Croatia in 2007, where he played as a defender.

18. John Terry

Yes, soccer existed in the 1990s, and John Terry is indisputable proof. A physical presence and a true leader on the soccer pitch, John was one of those talented defenders England had at their disposal. Talk of patriotism and loyalty to a team. You sure have Terry on the list. Nobody loved the classic England shirt more than him. He played as a centre-back for Aston Villa until 2018 and later signed for an assistant managerial role.

17. Bryan Robson

Another absolute English legend is Bryan Robson. Often dubbed Robbo, he is one midfielder who was once renowned for being the fastest goal scorer in the 1982 World Cup, when he bagged after 27 seconds against France. Although he faced some severe injuries during the subsequent years, he still managed to bring a lot to the squad. It is no wonder he appears on the list of most famous English footballers of all time.

16. Ashley Cole

At position sixteen sits Ashley. One of those defenders who have tirelessly spent years and years building a reputation as far as football is concerned. He is an England sensation who played for Premier League clubs Chelsea and Arsenal. As of June 2022, Ashley Cole is a first-team coach at Everton soccer.

15. Sir Tom Finney

It's difficult to point out the best English players without mentioning Sir Tom Finney. He was among those players who played during the Second World War and retired from the game as a one-club man. Sir Tom bagged 30 goals from 76 England caps during his playing days as a centre forward for Preston North End and England national football team.

14. Peter Shilton

In the 1970s, Peter Shilton is an undeniable feat and a testament to how reliable and resourceful he was for his team, the Three Lions. Born in the 1940s, the retired soccer player still left a legacy of being one of the greatest footballers in soccer's history.

13. Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is one of the complete midfielders to ever play for England. Moreover, he was renowned for being the top scorer and would always be called upon for England. He notably rose to fame following the World Cup match against Germany when he scored a goal which would later be cancelled.

12. Paul Gascoigne

Paul John Gascoigne, famously dubbed Gazza is an English former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is arguably the most talented English man ever to play soccer in England. His extraordinary talents yielded ten goals from 57 caps. However, of all the goals he scored, the one that resulted in his fame was the one against Scotland.

11. Sir Stanley Matthews

The famous Sir Stanley Matthews, often dubbed the wizard of the dribble, is known to have put together an incredible 23-year long career in England. So when a question is asked about who the oldest English football player is, you sure have Stanley at the top of the list. He has turned for the England national football team and the Three Lions at the age of 42 and 104 days.

10. Alan Shearer

Have you ever heard of Alan Shearer? He is the Geordie hero who scored 30 goals from 63 England caps. He notably rose to fame following the five goals he scored during the Euro 96 in England and won a Golden Boot, leading to England appearing in the semi-finals.

9. Gary Lineker

Not only has Gary appeared in this, but he is also among the top ten best English footballers of all time. Although Gary is currently a sports broadcaster, he is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker for Barcelona, Leicester City, and Club Everton. His fame skyrocketed following his six goals at the 1986 World Cup, which resulted in him being the first English man to win a Golden Boot.

8. Steven Gerrard

If there were two players known for being England's most treasured sensations, they were Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Steven is a former English professional player who currently manages Premier League club Aston Villa.

7. Jimmy Greaves

At position 7 sits Jimmy Greaves. Although he has had his share of severe injuries, he still managed to rack up 44 goals in 57 caps. He is England's fifth-highest international goalscorer (44 goals), Tottenham Hotspur's highest ever goalscorer (266 goals), and the highest goalscorer in the history of English top-flight football with 357 goals.

6. David Beckham

England fans went through almost everything with Beckham, from casting him as a public enemy following a red card at the 1998 World Cup to the unbridled joy he gave the same fans with his penalty against Argentina.

5. Sir Geoff Hurst

This list will never be complete without Sir Geoff Hurst. He notably rose to fame during the 1996 World Cup finals when he substituted an injured player. It was only a matter of time before he scored a hat-trick in the game and took the team to glory in a 4-2 victory.

4. Gordon Banks

Gordon was one player who could often be summoned for any top performance needed in the team. He was an English professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers who made 679 appearances during a 20-year professional career.

3. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney remains England's youngest scorer at 17 years old and the nation's record scorer that cemented his entire legacy among England's legends. Aside from his professional career, Wayne Rooney was categorised among the best-looking English footballers of all time.

2. Sir Bobby Moore

Another legendary soccer player to appear among the top ten best English footballers of all time is Sir Bobby Moore. The renowned captain had 108 caps, a World Cup, and many heroic performances since he debuted.

1. Sir Bobby Charlton

Who is the greatest English footballer of all time? Sir Bobby Charlton is widely regarded as the best. The goal-scoring midfielder is the second greatest goalscorer in the country's history and a world-class attacking talent who made the 1966 triumph possible.

Who is the best English striker of all time?

Gary Lineker is currently the most outstanding English striker, who scored ten goals over two tournaments and managed to double the number of the goals by his closest challenger.

Ranking the best English footballers of all time can be challenging, considering most English soccer players are outstanding on the field. This list ranks the players according to their career statistics since they debuted. Their names forever resound in the halls of football history.

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