The Midfield Maestros: Ranking the 11 Greatest English Midfielders in Football History

If there's one thing England excels at in football, it's producing top-quality midfielders.

By: Anna Ciao

07/17/2024 06:42

Defining a "midfielder" in today's game is no easy task. With the erosion of fixed positions and the rise of specialized 'roles' or 'functions,' those in the middle of the field are required to handle a variety of responsibilities—from attacking to defending, and everything in between.

Despite these changes, midfielders remain the backbone of any elite team, as they have throughout history. It's often said that games are won in midfield, and England has been fortunate to have many exceptional all-rounders over the years, boosting the Three Lions' performance on the international stage.

Tasked with being the heart of the team, midfielders come in all shapes, sizes, strengths, and weaknesses. Here are some of the best England has produced, ranked using various criteria to tackle this challenging task.

Ranking factors

International achievements (honours, appearances, goals, assists, etc)
Club achievements (honours, appearances, goals, assists, etc)
Individual awards
Legacy within football

Greatest English Midfielders of All Time
Rank	Player	Career Span
1.	Sir Bobby Charlton	1958–1970
2.	Steven Gerrard	2000–2014
3.	Paul Gascoigne	1988–1998
4.	Frank Lampard	1999–2014
5.	Paul Scholes	1997–2004
6.	David Beckham	1996–2010
7.	Bryan Robson	1980–1991
8.	Nobby Stiles	1965–1970
9.	Chris Waddle	1985–1991
10.	Glenn Hoddle	1979–1988
11.	Ray Wilkins	1973–1986

11. Ray Wilkins

Career Span: 1973–1986

Ray Wilkins had a distinguished career, starring for Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, and Rangers, achieving FA Cup and Scottish top-flight success. Known for his journeyman career that even Nicolas Anelka might envy, Wilkins also played for Paris Saint-Germain, Crystal Palace, Millwall, and Hibernian.

Renowned as one of football's most courteous figures, Wilkins was a key player for England throughout the 1980s, featuring in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and earning 84 caps. His reputation remained untarnished despite his red card against Morocco in 1986—the first English dismissal at a World Cup—highlighting his esteemed place among football greats.

Ray Wilkins' International Career
Caps	84
Goals	3
Assists	4
Honours	None

10. Glenn Hoddle

Career Span: 1979–1988

An inspiration behind Tottenham Hotspur's consecutive FA Cup victories in the early '80s, Glenn Hoddle took his remarkable talent abroad to help Monaco win the French title amidst the exodus of English players at the decade's turn. Hoddle's creative instincts not only fueled a stellar football career but also led to a brief foray into music.

In the anything-goes '80s, Hoddle teamed up with fellow footballer Chris Waddle to try their hand at pop stardom. Their effort, reminiscent of 'Tears for Fears' but with questionable haircuts and limited stage presence, produced an 'interesting' record.

Reflecting on the blurred lines between a potential appearance on Top of the Pops and a successful football career, the duo ultimately thrived by sticking to what they knew best. Hoddle, the only person on this list to have managed the Three Lions, remains an underappreciated international talent despite his undeniable skill and influence on the field.

Glenn Hoddle's International Career
Caps	53
Goals	8
Assists	3
Honours	None

9. Chris Waddle

Career Span: 1985–1991

Britain's homegrown footballers rarely conquer foreign territory, with many failing to meet expectations when they move abroad. This notion is a double-edged sword. On one side, there are the Jonathan Woodgate and Stan Collymore mishaps at Real Madrid and Real Oviedo. On the other, there is a select group of outstanding British exports, including the recent success of Jude Bellingham, as well as David Platt, Kevin Keegan, and Chris Waddle.

Known for his distinctive mullet off the pitch and his elegant play on it, Waddle spent nearly three years as a star player for Marseille, winning the French title in each season. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Waddle was a captivating footballer with the ability to dazzle defenders and consistently deliver goals and assists. A standout in England's inspiring Italia '90 campaign, Waddle returned to England in 1992 to join Sheffield Wednesday, where he was awarded the prestigious FWA Footballer of the Year in the inaugural Premier League season.

Chris Waddle's International Career
Caps	62
Goals	6
Assists	1
Honours	None

8. Nobby Stiles

Career Span: 1965–1970

England's 1966 World Cup victory is often remembered for Sir Geoff Hurst's goal-scoring feats, Sir Bobby Charlton's explosive brilliance, and Bobby Moore's defensive elegance. However, without the unassuming and unflashy presence of Nobby Stiles at the base of midfield, that historic summer might never have been possible.

Ironically, for a player famously missing his front teeth, Stiles added much-needed bite to England's midfield. After a particularly tough tackle against France in the group stages, there were suggestions that Sir Alf Ramsey should drop him. The England manager firmly refused. The tenacious Manchester United player was pivotal, playing every minute of England's global triumph.

Nobby Stiles' International Career
Caps	28
Goals	1
Assists	0
Honours	1966 World Cup

7. Bryan Robson

Career Span: 1980–1991

Famously nicknamed 'Captain Marvel' for his heroic performances, Bryan Robson donned the captain's armband for both Manchester United and England, leading his country on 65 occasions. He remains Manchester United's longest-serving captain, guiding the team to their first two Premier League titles, as well as three FA Cups, one League Cup, and a European Cup Winners' Cup.

Robson earned 90 caps for England between 1980 and 1991, making him the fifth-most capped Three Lions player at the time. His 26 goals placed him eighth on the scoring list, and only Bobby Moore, Billy Wright, and Harry Kane have captained the men's national team more frequently.

Bryan Robson's International Career
Caps	90
Goals	26
Assists	2
Honours	None

6. David Beckham

Career Span: 1996–2010

Since 1996, no player has provided more assists for England than the nation's iconic sports figure, David Beckham. His impressive tally of 42 assists in 115 caps sets him apart, with Steven Gerrard's 24 assists being the closest challenger.

As a treble winner with Manchester United in 1998/99, Beckham's career was marked by unforgettable moments, such as his memorable lob from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996 that catapulted him to stardom. His stoppage-time free-kick against Greece to secure England's spot in the 2002 World Cup is etched in football history. Beckham's influence and style off the pitch seamlessly translated onto it, making him a standout among English midfielders for his creative prowess.

David Beckham's International Career
Caps	115
Goals	17
Assists	42
Honours	None

5. Paul Scholes

Career Span: 1997–2004

Paul Scholes, a legendary figure at Manchester United, amassed nearly 700 appearances for the club before retiring in 2011. He briefly returned to football the following year at the insistence of Sir Alex Ferguson. Scholes was consistently regarded as one of the world's top midfielders throughout his career.

Known for his magical touch, the Salford-born playmaker garnered attention for his performances in Europe, crucial to Manchester United's historic treble in the 1998/99 season. His England career saw him earn 66 caps, though he might have accumulated more if not for the prominence of contemporaries like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Paul Scholes' International Career
Caps	66
Goals	14
Assists	14
Honours	None

4. Frank Lampard

Career Span: 1999–2014

Frank Lampard remains Chelsea's all-time leading scorer, renowned for his ability to unleash powerful strikes into the top corner, especially during the club's most successful era. With 211 goals in 638 appearances for the Blues, he holds the record for the most goals scored by a midfielder in Premier League history—177, showcasing his lethal finishing from outside the box.

Lampard's illustrious career includes three Premier League titles, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League triumphs, four FA Cups, and two League Cups. In 2005, he was honored as the FWA Footballer of the Year and finished as runner-up for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. The influential midfielder is also one of only seven English players to surpass 100 caps for his country.

Frank Lampard's International Career
Caps	106
Goals	29
Assists	12
Honours	None

3. Paul Gascoigne

Career Span: 1988–1998

Phil Foden and many others have tried, but no one will ever quite match the unique style and charisma of Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne, both in his playing style and his iconic haircut. Widely regarded as one of England's greatest footballers, Gascoigne won the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991 and is celebrated as one of the most naturally gifted talents in the sport, renowned for his exceptional playmaking ability.

Gascoigne was beloved during his career, sparking a nationwide phenomenon known as 'Gazzamania'. Television broadcaster Terry Wogan famously described him as "probably the most popular man in Britain today" in September 1990. For England, he played a pivotal role in the team's journey to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals. His memorable volley in Euro '96 against Scotland, followed by the infamous dentist’s chair celebration, solidified his place in English football folklore.

Paul Gascoigne's International Career
Caps	57
Goals	10
Assists	9
Honours	None

2. Steven Gerrard

Career Span: 2000–2014

Steven Gerrard, a midfield maestro, famously led his beloved Liverpool through the memorable 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup finals. The latter, dubbed the 'Gerrard Final', saw his heroic, injured performance and stunning strike secure victory against West Ham, encapsulating his role as a one-man wrecking machine on Anfield's European nights.

Amidst debates over Scholes, Lampard, and Gerrard, it was Gerrard who stood out as the more complete footballer, contributing significantly in both attack and defense and earning preference from his international managers. Known as 'Captain Fantastic', he amassed 114 caps for England, captaining the Three Lions 38 times. Gerrard also played a key role in six of the seven major tournaments England qualified for between 2000 and 2014.

Steven Gerrard's International Career
Caps	114
Goals	21
Assists	23
Honours	None

1. Sir Bobby Charlton

Career Span: 1958–1970

The late Sir Bobby Charlton is widely regarded as one of England's greatest ever players. Whether playing in midfield or attack, the Manchester United legend was pivotal to numerous remarkable team performances. Surviving the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958, he went on to craft a legendary career filled with trophies, scoring 198 goals in 606 top-flight league games alone.

His accolades include the Golden Ball for player of the tournament in England’s victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, three Football League First Division titles, and a European Cup. Charlton also achieved the distinction of becoming the second Englishman (after Sir Stanley Matthews) to win the Ballon d'Or, accomplishing this feat in 1966, and finishing as runner-up in both 1967 and 1968.

Sir Bobby Charlton's International Career
Caps	106
Goals	49
Assists	1
Honours	1966 World Cup

Click star to rate

5 (1 rating)

Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.