Top 10 Best English Soccer Players Ever (Ranked)

England has often been called the home of soccer, and over the years has brought us some of the most historic moments in the sport. With some of the best English soccer players also being some of the best players in the sport overall, the nation has proudly displayed its heritage and history with the sport. From legendary Sir Bobby Charlton to Harry Kane, we’ve done our best to include players based on factors like their performances, longevity, and after considering all, we’ve included them in to list of the greatest English soccer players.

With teams that have been some of the best in Europe or players that have been the best in the world, the country has been a hotbed of talent and entertainment in soccer for a couple of centuries now. That said, this ranking explores the best English soccer players of all time, looking back at their careers and celebrating their achievements.

List of Greatest English Soccer Players

Now let’s take a look at the list of the top 10 best English soccer players we’ve compiled after removing the best from the rest through our ranking factors mentioned after the table.

How We Ranked Best English Soccer Players Ever?

Longevity & Legacy: The primary factor we considered while ranking the best English soccer players of all time was longevity and legacy. Factors like longevity and legacy are important if it’s about history or all time. How long a player played at the highest level and what kind of legacy they had during their active days were considered.

Consistency: The second parameter that was considered while compiling the list of the greatest English soccer players was their consistency. How consistent these players were throughout their careers, be it domestic league or European club tournaments.

Impact on Big Matches: The third factor considered for the list of best English soccer players ever was their impact on the club in big matches like the UEFA Champions League, league deciders, as well as domestic tournaments. How well they carried the burden and how well they performed.

Trophies/Achievements: The last ranking factor we included while compiling the list of the best English soccer players ever was the number of team trophies or individual accolades won during their active days. These factor shows how well they performed throughout their career.

List of Best English Soccer Players of All Time

That said, there may be many other English soccer players not included in our top 10 list that have slightly missed out, owing to them not fulfilling one or more criteria. Without much further ado, let’s get started.

10. David Beckham

One of the finest talents that England and Manchester United have produced, David Beckham first made a name for himself under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, breaking through the academy at a very young age. Subsequent years saw the English soccer superstar go on to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, and have a career many soccer players only dream of.

His wand of a right foot and delightful ability over a Deadball made him one of the most renowned midfielders in the world at one point in time. An England captain with 115 caps to his name and an exemplary talent, David Beckham is surely one of the best English soccer players of all time.

9. Steven Gerrard

One of the most loyal players to ever play for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was the embodiment of a club captain and a proper all-action English midfielder, capable of getting stuck in whilst thumping in goals from anywhere on the pitch. A class act, leader, and legend in his own right, Gerrard is fondly remembered amongst the English as one of their best-ever soccer players and a pleasure to witness playing.

With a glorious career playing in Merseyside, Gerrard also put in notable performances for the Three Lions, collecting 114 caps across his 14 years representing his country.

8. Alan Shearer

One of the finest strikers that the sport has ever seen, Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer with 260. Not only is he one of the best English soccer players ever, but his quality and output saw him as one of the best players in the entire world during his prime. Powerful, quick, and agile, there was not much that one could do to stop Shearer whose ability to score goals was seen as an inevitability by opponent sides.

Crucial for his club as he was for his country, Shearer did not get to experience too much time with the national team but was one of their key players during the Euro 1996 campaign.

7. Paul Gascoigne

One of the most gifted attacking midfielders that the country has ever seen Paul Gascoigne displayed a level of technical ability that was unparalleled. While off-the-field problems may have hampered his career to some extent there is doubt that, ability-wise, Gascoigne was one of the best English soccer players of all time and had the potential to place even higher on this list.

Having broken through the ranks at Newcastle before eventually getting his big break at Tottenham Hotspur, Gascoigne went on to win many trophies in his career, at the club, country, and individual levels as well.

6. Jimmy Greaves

Possibly the most underrated name on this list, Jimmy Greaves was one of the most prolific goalscorers in the country and remains one of Tottenham Hotspur’s biggest-ever legends. His ability on the ball and finishing prowess, coupled with his blistering pace made him a nuisance to keep up with for opposition defenses across England and Europe.

Despite his abilities, traits, and overall pure goalscoring threat, Greaves is often forgotten among the best English soccer players of all time due to a very brief period with the national team. Regardless, Greaves was a certified bagman, netting 44 times for his country in 57 appearances.

5. Gordon Banks

Despite being from the yesteryears of England’s glory days on the international stage, Gordon Banks is fondly remembered as one of the best English goalkeepers and best English soccer players of all time for his heroic performances for club and country. To date the only English goalkeeper to win a World Cup, Banks was an instrumental part of the team that triumphed in the 1966 World Cup.

Not only that but his career highlight moment of denying the legendary Pele in the 1970 World Cup, along with his fantastic tenure for club and country overall, see him take his place on the list.

4. Wayne Rooney

Another one of England’s young jewels, Wayne Rooney was a prodigy who took the nation by storm and made history during his time playing for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. One of the most highly sought-after Man United and English players ever, Rooney displayed footballing ability and grit well beyond his years and backed it up with big performances for his club and country.

A Premier League and Manchester United record goalscorer, Rooney became a household time during his prime years and is fondly remembered by many as one of the best English soccer players of all time.

3. Harry Kane

A future Tottenham legend and currently England’s all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane is a one-in-a-million talent that redefined what it is to be a striker. With his hold-up and playmaking ability for club and country, Kane contributed to many goals and dispatched plenty more with a certain sharpness and ruthlessness that can only be seen in the most elite soccer players.

Although he hasn’t really fulfilled his potential in terms of trophies and accolades on the club and country level, Kane remains one of the best strikers in the world and will rightfully seal his place on this list as one of the best English soccer players by the time his playing career comes to a close.

2. Bobby Moore

Fondly remembered for his heroics during the 1966 World Cup, Bobby Moore is the only England captain to lift the revered trophy for the Three Lions and was an instrumental part of the nation’s success in the final and throughout the tournament. A leader, motivator, and a firm hand in terms of his defensive qualities, Moore will forever be revered as one of the best English soccer players.

A West Ham hero and legend, Moore was crucial for a number of successes for the club and carried that same energy on his way to being one of the most capped English players. Easily the best defender England has ever produced, Moore is easily a shoo-in for one of the highest-ranked names on our list.

1. Sir Bobby Charlton

Arguably one of England and Manchester United’s greatest-ever players, Sir Bobby Charlton was a class act and an incredible player, who had some of the highest of highs that a professional soccer player can have. A Manchester United record goalscorer, a World Cup winner, and a Ballon d’Or winner in the same year, the legendary attacker was seen as the perfect footballer by many.

Following his passing in 2023, the world mourned the loss of a great soul and an exemplary person who displayed pure grace and professionalism throughout and beyond his career. Easily the best English soccer player of all time, Bobby Charlton will forever live on in the hearts and minds of all those who were fortunate enough to witness him in action.