World Cup 2018: Top 20 Greatest United Kingdom Footballers Scheduled To Play In 2018 World Cup
Chief Football Correspondent Jason Burt gives his verdict on the 20 best UK footballers ever, as part of our campaign to find the UK's Greatest Ever Sportsperson.
20. Jimmy Johnstone
Supremely entertaining Scottish winger with the ideal combination of gallus and skill to enthrall all who appreciate penetrating attacking football. Adorned the Lisbon Lions with his panache and indefatigable charm. Joy in a hooped shirt.
Jimmy Johnstone
Jimmy Johnstone, feints, jinks and flies for Celtic in 1967 CREDIT: PA
19. Duncan Edwards
Those who saw Manchester United's superb left-half play are divided among those who insist that had he survived Munich he would have been Britain's greatest ever player and those who maintain that this wonderfully balanced athlete, a natural leader and powerhouse without compare had already become the best at the age of 21.
Promoted Stories
Flights In Nigeria At Ridiculously Low Prices
Flights In Nigeria At Ridiculously Low Prices
Save 70
Historical Photos Not Shown In History Books
Historical Photos Not Shown In History Books
OMG!
Duncan Edwards
Duncan Edwards, greatest of the Busby Babes CREDIT: PA
18. Pat Jennings
Pan-handed colossus who was miserly and resilient for Tottenham and Arsenal, innovative and unorthodox, he commanded two north London penalty boxes for almost 20 years as an undisputed first-choice.
Pat Jennings of Spurs, Arsenal and Northern Ireland
Pat Jennings of Spurs, Arsenal and Northern Ireland CREDIT: ANL/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
17. John Barnes
Before a snapped achilles tendon forced him to become an effective but stifled talent, his dazzling pace, control and sheer vibrancy on the left for Liverpool fulfilled all the hopes of those who had cherished him since he scored the sensational goal at the Maracana that symbolised England could change. As a high-profile black player on Merseyside he withstood appalling abuse from opposition fans and became a beacon for enlightenment during English football's dark ages.
John Barnes
John Barnes at his devastating peak for Liverpool CREDIT: HULTON ARCHIVE
16. Kevin Keegan
Twice European football of the year, Keegan was a human dynamo, a rampaging forward who could leap, head, shoot and pass with distinction. There was courage, too, to match his energy and skill. Keegan was the most important English footballer of his generation and the best.
Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan, double European Footballer of the Year CREDIT: ALLSPORT
15. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard's career is studded with brilliant achievements. Yes, there was desperate frustration in not winning the Premier League with Liverpool and the failures of England, but the midfielder - the manufacturer of that Istanbul Miracle - had the ability and status that earns him a place as an all-time great.
Steven Gerrard opens the scoring in the 2003 League Cup final
Steven Gerrard opens the scoring in the 2003 League Cup final CREDIT: ACTION IMAGES
14. Gary Lineker
A goal machine for Leicester, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham and England whose reflexes, courage, calmness and positioning made him the closest thing English football has had to its own Gerd Muller since Jimmy Greaves.
Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker joined Barcelona from Everton in 1986 after winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Mexico CREDIT: COLORSPORT/REX
13. Graeme Souness
A commanding central midfielder of outrageous contrasts – the silk of his touch and technique seemingly inconsistent with his bellicosity and occasionally unflinching cruelty. Won three European Cups and five Division One titles in seven years at Liverpool.
Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness captained Liverpool to the European Cup in 1984, his third in seven years at Anfield CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
12. Gordon Banks
Britain's greatest goalkeeper who dispirited opponents with his acrobatic saves and flawless handling. The 'Pele save' at the 1970 World Cup is Banks of England in excelsis but his sheer consistent excellence, aided by Beech Nut chewing gum rubbed into gloveless palms before kick-off, was even greater than his miraculous zenith.
Gordon Banks
(Gordon) Banks of England CREDIT: HULTON ARCHIVE
11. Gareth Bale
The world record fee was one thing but winning the Champions League twice in three years with Real Madrid and dealing with the white-hot glare of publicity as well as wearing that famous white shirt is more substantial - as is driving Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale, double Champions League winner with Real Madrid CREDIT: BPI/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
10. Jimmy Greaves
Four hundred and sixty-six goals for club and country in 659 appearances. Little else needs to be added save that his sense of assuredness was captivating. Goalscorers are underrated but there was more than gluttonous opportunism to Greaves whose quicksilver, vivacious presence made him an irrepressible (but wholly impossible to dislike) menace.
Jimmy Greaves of Chelsea scores for England against Wales in 1960
Jimmy Greaves of Chelsea scores for England against Wales in 1960 CREDIT: S&G AND BARRATTS/PA PHOTOS
9. Denis Law
The first of United’s immortal trio to be awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1964, Denis Law was a raw-boned, lightning-quick penalty-box predator who was peerless in the air and complemented his phenomenally refined striking skills with a range of passing to equal the best midfielders. He also had an indomitable aggressive streak and a bravado that crowned him the King of the Stretford End.
Denis Law with Matt Busby after joining Manchester United from Torino
Denis Law with Matt Busby at Old Trafford after joining Manchester United from Torino CREDIT: PA
8. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs deserves inclusion given his talent, astonishing wealth of achievement and, once again, longevity. Two players in one, really, the gliding, blistering winger who would 'tear you apart' for the first 12 years of his rapaciously successful career and the more measured veteran who became a fine passer after his hamstrings refused to let him sprint flat out. He won 24 serious trophies during 24 years playing for Manchester United.
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs scores the winner against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final that kept their ultimately successful quest for The Treble on track CREDIT: MANCHESTER UNITED VIA GETTY IMAGES
7. Sir Tom Finney
"Pele was a great player," said Bill Shankly. "He must rank one of the best of all time. I've said that Tommy Finney was the best I've seen and I'd bracket Pele, Eusebio, Cruyff, Di Stefano and Puskas up there with him." A Prodigiously talented dribbler, he could shine on either wing, in both inside-forward roles and even as a centre-forward.
Tommy Finney
Tommy Finney in action for Preston North End against Nottingham Forest in 1958 CREDIT: PA
6. Kenny Dalglish
Let's leave it to Sir Alex Ferguson to sum up his qualities: "Kenny had unbelievable vision and strength as a player. He was really aware of people around him. He had great balance and was a good finisher, courageous too." Three European Cups and six league titles with Liverpool to complement his four league titles with Celtic. Won 102 caps and played at three World Cups for Scotland, too.
Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish, the one and only 'King of Anfield' even if Parkhead retains its claims on him CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
5. Sir Stanley Matthews
England’s first footballing knight; he epitomised an era of the game. Played until he beyond his 50th birthday; had an FA Cup Final named after him and he was known as the Wizard of the Dribble and had an undeniable effect on how the game evolved in terms of attacking play.
Stanley Matthews during his tangerine heyday for Blackpool in 1952
Stanley Matthews during his tangerine heyday for Blackpool in 1952 CREDIT: ALLSPORT HULTON DEUTSCH
4. John Charles
Not quite as renowned as the others in the top five but a remarkable footballer who was equally accomplished as a striker or centre-half. A man-mountain he conquered Italy, and is still revered at Juventus where he won five league titles, in five seasons, after signing for a then world-record fee of £65,000, scoring 93 goals in 155 matches.
John Charles is God
John Charles scores for Leeds United against Sunderland in 1957, months before his world record transfer to Juve CREDIT: PA
3. Bobby Moore
The man who led England to World Cup glory in 1966; before that captain of his country when he was just 22 and an immaculate, revered defender who gained respect around the world for the way he played. He was not big; he was not quick’; he was not especially good in the air but he had an aura.
Bobby Moore with the World Cup
'It is only 12 inches high... It is solid gold... And it undeniably means England are the champions of the world' CREDIT: AP
2. Sir Bobby Charlton
A great goal-scorer and a scorer of great goals. Forty-nine goals for England; 249 for Manchester United. A World Cup winner and a European Cup winner, a survivor of the Munich air disaster and a gentleman as well as a great player whose influence was felt long after he retired.
Bobby Charlton lifts the European Cup as Manchester United captain in 1968
Bobby Charlton lifts the European Cup as Manchester United captain in 1968 CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES SPORT
1. George Best
A showman; a genius; a God and a Devil. A Red Devil, at that. George Best had it all. He was also brave as well as skillful and was the first modern-day footballer in the way he transcended the sport and became part of popular culture. But, above all, he was brilliant player even if he retired prematurely aged 28.
Post a Comment