England's Greatest XI of All Time

Pelé called the save he made from his header in 1970 the greatest he ever saw. Banks had already won the World Cup with England in 1966 and conceded just three goals in six games. The benchmark for English goalkeeping until Shilton, and still the highest-rated English keeper in the database.

England's right-back position has historically been one of the weakest in world football. Stones is the best available option in the database — a composed ball-player who anchored the City back line during their treble season. The rating reflects the honest gap in England's history at this position.

The only Englishman to lift the World Cup. Moore was the prototype for the modern ball-playing centre-back — reading the game, distributing with precision, never panicking. Pelé described him as the finest defender he ever faced. His 108 caps as England captain remain one of the most decorated leadership records in English football.

Four league titles with Arsenal, two FA Cups, the kind of defensive leadership that organises everyone around him. Adams was the backbone of the famous Arsenal back four that redefined defensive shape in England. Not the 91 that Moore was, but a generational organiser in his own right.

Probably the finest left-back England has ever produced. Two Champions Leagues, seven FA Cups. Ancelotti considered him the best left-back in the world during their time together at Chelsea. His pace, crossing ability, and defensive discipline were rarely matched by anyone at the position globally during his peak.

The highest-rated English player in the entire database. World Cup winner in 1966, European Cup winner with Manchester United in 1968. 249 career goals as a midfielder — a figure that would be remarkable today. His long-range shooting was a weapon before long-range shooting was considered a tactical asset.

Rated 92, second among all English players. Listed as a central midfielder but functionally England's right-sided orchestrator — the delivery from wide positions was the most accurate in his generation. 115 England caps, captain for six years. The most globally recognisable English player of his era by an enormous margin.

The first English player in decades to credibly enter the Ballon d'Or conversation. 23 goals in his debut season at Real Madrid as a midfielder. Led England to the Euro 2024 final, scoring the last-minute equaliser against Slovakia in the quarter-final that kept their campaign alive. At 21, his rating will only move upward.

The most consistent performer in the current England squad. Three consecutive Player of the Tournament nominations at major tournaments. His composure in the penalty shootout against Switzerland at Euro 2024 — converting the decisive kick after missing the final at Euro 2021 — was one of the great individual moments in recent England history.

The Premier League's all-time leading scorer with 260 goals. Lethal in the air, powerful on the ground, impossible to push off the ball. The tragedy of Shearer's career is that he only played one World Cup, in 1998, where he scored twice. He never played in a major international final. England's greatest pure striker never lifted a trophy.

England's all-time top scorer with 53 goals. A complete forward capable of playing anywhere across the front line — as a striker, a winger, or a deep-lying forward. His debut at Euro 2004, aged 18, remains one of the great tournament entrances. Rooney at his 2000s peak was one of the most complete attackers in European football.