'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A list of best-ever players for any side is always subjective. Ask 100 people to name their best five England players of all time and the likelihood is you’ll get almost 100 different lists.Should the members of the list be there by virtue of goals scored, general play, importance in the big games, importance in the changing room? There are so many variables, but there are a handful of exponents that have stuck out over and above the rest.Honourable mentions should be given to Messrs. Lofthouse, Matthews, Shearer, Scholes, Keegan, Greaves and Hoddle, all of whom miss out here, along with many others.Let’s see if you agree with this list of top five England players of all time.
#5 Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has been a player that has always divided opinions, right from his debut for Everton against Arsenal as a 16-year-old.
His inclusion here is purely as a result of becoming England’s leading goalscorer. 50 goals scored internationally is a monumental achievement and whatever people think of Rooney the man, they cannot deny that Rooney the footballer is a goal getter of the highest order.
It’s also certainly worth dwelling on just how many times the Manchester United man has been asked to play out of position for the good of the team too.
Jimmy Greaves has just about the best goals to games ratio of any player worldwide at international level, but for England he was always played as centre-forward. Ditto Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo who are always played in their favoured position for their countries.
Rooney has played out wide, as an attacking midfielder and even as a deeper-lying midfielder if required. Arguably he would have at least 10 more goals to his name if he was stationed centrally at all times.
A true warrior, his final goals tally for England may never be beaten.
#4 Paul Gascoigne
He has been called the most naturally gifted player to have ever pulled on an England shirt.
Paul Gascoigne in his pomp was a true sight to behold and his zenith internationally has to be at Euro 96 when the Three Lions came oh-so-close to another triumph on home soil.
Known as “Gazza” since the Italia 90 World Cup, his off-field problems would eventually become all-consuming. Glenn Hoddle, himself a midfielder for Tottenham and England of note, had the unenviable duty of telling the player he hadn’t made the final squad for the 1998 World Cup and his club career would eventually peter out shortly after.
Gascoigne was so loved by fans and so cherished by football connoisseurs because he played football without constraint or fear. A mischievous nature that often saw him fall foul of the authorities, also endeared him to his public. A public that eventually became his downfall.
Goals, grit and great times. There’ll never be another Gazza.
#3 Sir Trevor Brooking
The youth of today know Sir Trevor Brooking only as a figurehead at the Football Association.
Their fathers will recall the way that West Ham’s finest used to glide across the turf popping off inch-perfect balls to Kevin Keegan et al.
If football is an art form, then Brooking was its Picasso. Playing for Ron Greenwood at club level until he handed the reins to John Lyall in 1974, Brooking would then serve the former throughout his tenure as England manager. Greenwood’s mantra was “simplicity is genius” and it perfectly describes the way in which Brooking went about his work.
A master craftsman at work, England were indebted to him for the two goals scored against Hungary in June 1981. It was to be England’s only win on the road in their qualifying campaign and crucial to their hopes of progressing to the World Cup Finals in Spain the following year.
It’s hard to comprehend that his international career lasted barely eight years, such was the effect that Brooking had when pulling on the jersey. England were certainly an infinitely better proposition with him in the side.
#2 Sir Bobby Charlton
Has there ever been another player in England’s rich international history that has struck the ball as hard and as accurately as Sir Bobby Charlton?
The cannonball like shots that regularly bulged the opposition net were notable for their power and they certainly made for some spectacular finishes. 49 goals in 106 games was exactly the same record as Wayne Rooney before the latter went one better but Charlton was never a striker.
It puts his exploits into some sort of perspective. As an attacking midfielder, no one has ever come close to hitting those heights.
He wasn’t just a goalscorer either. An immaculate tender caress authored his passing range, he was good in the air when needed, could play with either foot and had dribbling skills par excellence. A true all-rounder.
Perhaps as importantly was the way in which Charlton carried himself. A survivor of the Munich plane crash, Charlton’s career could’ve gone one of two ways and it is to his immense credit that he was able to claw his way back to the very top both at club level and internationally.
#1 Bobby Moore
There really can’t be any dispute as to who the best ever England player is.
The only player to receive the World Cup – or Jules Rimet Trophy as it was in 1966 – Bobby Moore was the exemplar. The player every man father and son aspired to be. A player that exuded excellence in all things. A captain that led by word, deed and example.
A statue outside Wembley Stadium, erected so that every person walking up Olympic Way cannot fail to miss it, is the very least that the Football Association need to do ensure Moore’s legacy lives on.
Brazilian legend Pele noted that Moore was his toughest opponent, and the picture of the two embracing at the end of their match in the 1970 World Cup is legendary.
Moore was the consummate central defender. Although he didn’t have pace, his timing was as immaculate as his pressed trousers. Strong in the tackle and decent enough aerially, rarely would a striker get the better of England and West Ham’s number six.
As the standard bearer for England’s original “Golden Generation,” Moore is a worthy winner as their best ever player.
