The Three Lions are one of the most followed international football teams in the world, but international success has been hard to come by for them with their only major trophy being the 1966 World Cup. Their best finish in the European Championships has been third which they achieved in 1968 and 1996.
To pick a greatest England XI from only the Euros is a challenging task and it comes as no surprise that some of the players from the 1968 and 1996 squad make it to this team. England’s supposed ‘golden generation’ of stars suffered heartbreak against Portugal in 2004 in the quarter-finals, but some of the players in that squad also make this team.
Without much ado, let us have a look at the greatest England XI from the Euros:
Goalkeeper
One of England’s and the game’s greatest ever goalkeepers, Gordon Banks was a true English legend. An integral part of the World Cup winning squad in 1996, Gordon Banks was named by the IFFHS as the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century after Lev Yashin.
The former Leicester City and Stoke City goalkeeper was known for his athletic saves and commanding presence in the box. He was also adept at pulling off miraculous saves from point-blank range. Banks was so good that he was named FIFA Goalkeeper of the year six times in his long and prestigious career.
Gordon Banks had an amazing career for England. He played 73 times for England, kept 35 clean sheets and lost only 9 times. He truly deserves his place as the undisputed number 1 in this squad.
Defenders
One of the most inspirational captains of all time, Tony Adams was like a rock in defence playing a key role in the 1996 Euro campaign, where England finished third. His partner at the heart of the defense is Bobby Moore. Moore was the captain of the historic 1996 World Cup winning squad and he came close to winning the Euros as well in 1968.
Bobby Moore is one of the greatest players England have had and both Adams and Moore were inspirational captains and leaders. For the left-back position, there is no debate. Arguably one of the best left-backs of all time, Ashley Cole is really unlucky to have not won a major international trophy.
A slightly controversial pick for the right-back slot is Gary Neville. Technically, Neville didn’t have the attributes to be a top full back as he lacked pace – one of the most important attributes needed for a full back as they have to bomb up and down the flank. He wasn’t the strongest of players either, but his tactical awareness, intelligence, work-rate, professionalism and determination made him one of the best defensive full backs in the game.
A back 4 of Tony Adams, Bobby Moore, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville will definitely give the attackers sleepless nights.
Midfielders
A creative and technically gifted attacking midfielder, Paul Gascoigne was easily one of the most talented players to have ever played for England. Gascoigne was gifted with pace, physical strength, balance, and excellent dribbling skills, which allowed him to protect the ball, beat opponents, and withstand physical challenges. His performances in the 1996 Euros, earned him a place in the team of the tournament.
Sir Bobby Charlton is considerd to be one of the greatest attacking midfielders of all time and he rightly takes his place in this team for his performances in the 1968 Euros. Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record stood for a long time before Wayne Rooney broke it in 2015.
Partnering in midfield and providing solidity in the middle of the park is Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Although they never clicked together for England, both their performances in Euro 2004, merited a place in this team with Gerrard having a good campaign in 2012 as well. Some people still find it hard to believe that a midfield comprising of the talents of Gerrard and Lampard failed to win a single major international trophy.
Forwards
One of the greatest ‘number 9s’ of all time, Alan Shearer was England’s star player in the 1996 Euros. England were the hosts themselves and Shearer played a key role in England’s run to the semi-final where they were eliminated on penalties to eventual champions Germany.
Shearer was a prolific goalscorer and he was known for his strength, stamina, powerful shot and heading abilities. Shearer’s impact in the 1996 Euros tournament can be seen from the fact that he finished the tournament as the Golden Boot winner and he was also named in the UEFA team of the tournament.
The only active player to make this team, Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene in 2004 with some amazing perfromances for England. 12 years on, Rooney is the captain of this England side and he will be hoping that the English team finally wins a major trophy this time around.
Rooney has plenty of records for the national team, such as being England’s record all-time scorer and he is also the 4th most capped English player. Although Rooney does not play in the role of a forward anymore, he is best remebered in the Euros for his goalscoring campaign in the 2004 Euros as a young forward.
Formation
The team lines up in a 4-2-2-2 formation with Rooney and Shearer leading the line. The midfield is full of creativity and running with Paul Gasciogne and Bobby Charlton being ably supported by Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
The defensive back-line is solid, with Bobby Moore partnering Tony Adams at the heart of the defense. The full backs are Ashley Cole and Gary Neville and they have probably one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Gordon Banks guarding the goal.
The captain of this great team is the legendary Bobby Moore.
This XI is the greatest Euro XI of all time for the Three Lions, with only Wayne Rooney still having a chance of winning the Euros.
