Top 10 Best English Footballers of All Time

When you think of English football, certain names just come flying out of your mouth before you even realize it. The ones who ran the show in midfield, smashed in goals like it was nothing, or led the Three Lions into battle with nothing but grit, talent, and the weight of a nation on their shoulders. Some had golden boots, some had golden hair, and a few had golden tempers too, but all of them left fans buzzing.

This list is your chance to decide which legends truly stand above the rest. You've seen the screaming volleys, the inch-perfect passes, and the headers that seemed to defy gravity. You've yelled at your telly, argued in the pub, and probably screamed someone's name during a last-minute winner.

Now's your shot to put that passion to use. Vote for the English players who you think deserve the spotlight. The ones who made you proud, made you swear, or made you believe, even for just a moment, that football might actually come home.

1. Steven Gerrard

   

   Steven George Gerrard (born 30 May 1980) is an English professional football manager and former Liverpool player. He famously captained Liverpool to a miraculous comeback victory in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into management and successfully led... read more

   One word. Legend. Have you seen the 2005 UCL final in Istanbul? He is the engine room of Liverpool and England. Zinedine Zidane said Steven Gerrard is the best player in the world.

   Steven Gerrard is my favorite footballer in the world. His technique is amazing. He wears my favorite number: 8.

   One and only Mr. Liverpool. Legend, inspiration, the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

2. David Beckham

   

   David Robert Joseph Beckham (born May 2, 1975) is an English former professional footballer, the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, and co-owner of Salford City. He played for Manchester United (including a loan to Preston North End), Real Madrid, AC Milan (on loan), LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain... read more

   Overrated as an overrated banana that got washed in an overrating machine.

3. Wayne Rooney

   

   Wayne Mark Rooney is a former English professional footballer who played for and captained both Manchester United and the England national team. He remains Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer and was England's record goalscorer until 2023. Following his illustrious playing career, he transitioned... read more

   One of the best in England's history, if not the best. With 43 goals, he is just 5 goals short of Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time goal-scoring record.

   Wayne Rooney is by far the best because he's the top scorer for both England and Manchester United.

   He should be ranked number 1, and why, you ask me? Go and check out his career videos from when he first joined Manchester United!

4. Frank Lampard

   

   Frank James Lampard is a retired English professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made over 600 club appearances, most notably with Chelsea, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer. He earned 106 caps for England and later became a manager for clubs including Derby County, Chelsea... read more

   I am a Spurs fan, but I recognize greatness.

   Lampard was the most technically gifted, the hardest worker, and the most professional. He was much maligned by England fans but never dropped his level or showed dissent. An incredible goalscorer, he was written off as a youngster but proved to be highly intelligent and very respectful. He wasn't dirty and was the most consistent player at a high level over the longest period, which is a true sign of greatness. See Tendulkar in cricket, Federer in tennis, and the snooker greats.

   He won everything an Englishman can win at the club level. Only the 1966 World Cup squad can say they won anything on the international stage. Of them, maybe Bobby Charlton could be compared, but no one else.

5. Bobby Charlton

   

   Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton is an English footballer, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in history. He was a key member of England's national team that won the World Cup in 1966. That same year, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or for his outstanding performance.

   Not only England's greatest by some distance, but one of the greatest footballers ever. Considering the Munich air crash when he was only 20, it is just amazing what he has achieved in the game.

   By far England's greatest player. Dynamic and elegant. No other Englishman comes close. Even George Best said he never saw a player go past opponents as easily as Charlton. And a great sportsman as well.

6. Paul Gascoigne

   

   Most naturally technically gifted footballer of his generation. If not for his self-destruct button, he would be without a doubt an English football legend.

   The most naturally gifted player England has ever produced. Medals and stats don't make a player. The magic with a ball does.

   Gifted talent. I don't see any other Englishman playing at that level. I compare Gazza with Zidane and Maradona. Same level, I have no doubt about it. Gazza, Platt, and Lineker nearly missed the World Cup. It was fun to watch Gazza rolling down to the penalty area.

7. Paul Scholes

   

   Probably the most underrated footballer in Europe. One of the best midfielders of his generation. Even Zidane and Xavi Hernandez claim he is one of the best!

   Come on. This player must be in the top 5. His passing ability and vision were from another planet. One of the best midfielders of all time along with Xavi, Pirlo, Zidane, and others.

   Just brilliant for both club and country.

8. Gary Lineker

   

   Gary Winston Lineker is an English former professional footballer and current sports broadcaster. He holds the record for the most goals scored by an English player in FIFA World Cup finals, with 10 goals. Since the late 1990s, Lineker has presented the BBC's flagship football program, Match of the... read more

9. John Terry

   

   John George Terry, born December 7, 1980, is a retired English professional footballer and current coach. He played as a central defender and was most notably the long-time captain of Chelsea Football Club. Terry retired from playing in 2018 after a final season with Aston Villa.

   Despite many issues outside the pitch, he still has his focus on the game. Simply the best defender in the world.

10. Bobby Moore

    

    Robert Frederick Chelsea "Bobby" Moore was an English professional footballer. He captained West Ham United for over a decade and led the England national team to victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Moore is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Michael Carrick

    
12. ?

    Luke Shaw

    
The Contenders

13. Gary Neville

    

    Gary Alexander Neville is an English football coach, broadcaster, and former player. He spent his entire playing career with Manchester United and is a co-owner of Salford City. He previously served as assistant manager for the England national football team.

14. Rio Ferdinand

    

    Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back. He enjoyed a successful club career, most notably with Manchester United, where he won six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title. He currently works as a television pundit, primarily for BT... read more

15. Ashley Cole

    

    Ashley Cole is a former English professional footballer who played as a left-back for clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea. He earned 107 caps for the England national team during an incredibly impressive international career. After leaving the pitch, he stepped into coaching to share his formidable defensive... read more

    One of England's key defenders, and without him, the team wouldn't be what it is now.

    The only true great England ever produced.

16. Alan Shearer

    

    Alan Shearer is an English retired footballer. He played as a striker in the top tier of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United, as well as for the England national team. Shearer is the Premier League's all-time leading goal scorer with 260 goals.

    One of the best strikers of his time and top goal scorer as well. Legend.

17. Michael Owen

    

    Michael James Owen (born December 14, 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He represented several clubs during his career, including Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City. Owen also played for the England national team, scoring... read more

18. Stanley Matthews

    

    The greatest English player of all time.

19. Harry Kane

    

    Harry Edward Kane is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for the England national team. He previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, where he became the club's all-time leading goal scorer. In 2024, Kane transferred to Bayern Munich, continuing his prolific career in European football... read more

    Wow, Harry Kane recently scored two goals against Liverpool in a 4-1 win for his club Spurs. He even defended as an attacker. Most importantly, he has a higher shot frequency than Ronaldo. He is the captain of the second-best Premier League club and a brilliant international player, captaining both teams. Just saying, Harry Kane is brilliant, and in all the games he plays, he shows it.

20. Emile Heskey

    

    Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He began his career with Leicester City and went on to play for clubs including Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, and Aston Villa. Heskey earned 62 caps for the England national team and scored... read more

21. Gordon Banks

    

    Best English goalkeeper to walk the planet.

22. Joe Cole

23. Jamie Carragher

    

    James Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher, born January 28, 1978, is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He spent his entire 17-year career at Liverpool Football Club, making over 700 appearances for the team. Since retiring in 2013, he has become a prominent football pundit... read more

24. Kevin Keegan

    

    Joseph Kevin Keegan (born February 14, 1951) is an English former football player and manager. A forward, he played for several clubs including Liverpool and Hamburger SV. Keegan also managed teams such as Newcastle United and the England national team.

    Twice the best European player, the only one from England. There's an absolute lack of knowledge of history from the voters.

    The best of all time are:

    Absolute number 1: Sir Stanley Matthews. After him, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Tom Finney, and Kevin Keegan.

25. Jimmy Greaves

    

    James Peter Greaves MBE (20 February 1940 - 19 September 2021) was an English professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time and one of England's best-ever players, he remains England's fifth-highest international goalscorer, with 44 goals, including... read more

    In his prime, Jimmy Greaves was the best England has ever produced by a long way.

26. Robbie Fowler

27. Raheem Sterling

    

    Raheem Shaquille Sterling (born December 8, 1994) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a winger for Chelsea in the Premier League and also represents the England national team. Sterling began his professional career at Liverpool before transferring to Manchester City in 2015 and later... read more