The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (2024)

Key Takeaways

  • Players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden will be key to England's success at Euro 2024.
  • Olle Watkins has been in incredible form for Aston Villa this campaign and is now one of the best strikers in Europe.
  • Anthony Gordon could force his way into Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad after impressing for Newcastle United over the last few months.

One of the traditional juggernauts on the international scene, any taste of glory for England has evaded their grasp since that triumph in 1966, spearheaded by the likes of Sir Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst.

It ended in heartbreak for England at the 2024 Euros, with Gareth Southgate failing to make sure the Three Lions got over the line in the final of the competition against Spain. The sting of the 2021 finals defeat was still fresh in the memory of England fans and players which made the loss all the worse.

Gareth Southgate resigned from his role as England manager after the loss, which means that change is afoot. The new manager has an incredible talented pool to pick from and they will be spoilt for choice. GIVEMESPORT brings you the 15 best England players.

Ranking factors

  • Performances for England.
  • Current form for the respective club.
  • Trophies won at club level.
  • How important they have been to their club's success.

The 15 Best English Footballers in the World [Ranked]

Rank

Player

Club

England appearances

1.

Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

100

2.

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

36

3.

Cole Palmer

Chelsea

9

4.

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

42

5.

Phil Foden

Manchester City

41

6.

Declan Rice

Arsenal

60

7.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool

31

8.

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

15

9.

John Stones

Manchester City

81

10.

Jordan Pickford

Everton

70

11.

Anthony Gordon

Newcastle United

6

12.

Jarrod Bowen

West Ham United

12

13.

Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace

19

14.

Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa

8

15.

Dominic Solanke

Tottenham Hotspur

1

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1 Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (2)

A consistent goalscorer for both club and country, there are not many that can rival Harry Kane at the top of the rankings with 44 goals and 12 assists in 45 outings for Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 season. Blessed with dynamism, the former Tottenham Hotspur ace can do it all: score goals, link up with wide men, drop deeper and play acute ball through the lines.

While winning the Bundesliga title may have escaped his grasp, the England centurion has done everything in his power to achieve greatness in the German top flight. Regarded as one of the greatest British players to ever play overseas, the talismanic centre-forward is pivotal to the success of both Bayern Munich and the England National Team.

Harry Kane's 2024/25 stats

Games

7

Goals

10

Assists

5

2 Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (3)

When Real Madrid shelled out a hefty fee for the Englishman’s services, many clubs were envious. With the world at his feet, Jude Bellingham has shattered through his ceiling with ease, becoming one of the best footballers in the world in 2024.

Originally coming through the Birmingham City youth ranks, the club were made a mockery of when they retired the number 22 upon his departure, but with him firing on all cylinders, the club had every right to. He notched 23 goals and 12 assists in the 2023/24 season which was a return an elite-level striker would be pleased with – but Bellingham was doing it all from midfield without his defensive performances waning.

Jude Bellingham's 2024/25 stats

Games

5

Goals

Assists

2

3 Cole Palmer

Chelsea

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (4)

Without Cole Palmer, Chelsea would have been very much worse off in 2023/24. The youngster took a punt with a career-defining move away from Manchester City – and it’s safe to say it’s paid off. From being on the fringes of Guardiola’s side, he is now the go-to guy in west London.

Widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the Premier League, the 22-year-old got his senior England career underway during a 2-0 win over Malta in November 2023. On the back of his 27 goals and 15 assists in all competitions in the most recent campaign, he put together a compelling case to be a member of the England team at the 2024 Euros, where he ended up scoring in the final against Spain, although that sadly ended in defeat for the England team.

Cole Palmer's 2024/25 stats

Games

8

Goals

6

Assists

4

4 Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (5)

Despite not being considered ‘world-class’ by Rio Ferdinand, Bukayo Saka is an Arsenal fan favourite, with him playing a key role in the Gunners' title-chargers in the past two seasons. And that status has transcended into the England camp.

Equally hard-working as he is talented, Saka is already a fully-fledged England international with 42 caps under his belt – and with years aplenty left on the clock, he could go on to become one of the nation’s highest-ever appearance holders. With 20 goals and 14 assists to boot in 2023/24, and a strong start to 24/25, Saka has every reason to be ranked as England’s fourth-best player at the moment.

Bukayo Saka's 2024/25 stats

Games

8

Goals

1

Assists

5

5 Phil Foden

Manchester City

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (6)

Phil Foden winning the Premier League Player of the Season award encapsulates just how good he was for Pep Guardiola in 2023/24. His 23/24 season was by far the best of Foden's career, with the young attacker scoring 27 goals and providing another 12 for his teammates.

Already a six-time Premier League champion, Foden is bordering on club legend status – at the tender age of 24, which is an incredible feat. Unfortunately, he has suffered from some injury problems at the start of the 24/25 campaign which has limited his impact for both club and country.

Phil Foden's 2024//25 stats

Games

5

Goals

Assists

6 Declan Rice

Arsenal

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (7)

A cut above the rest, Declan Rice was one of the first names on the teamsheet for Gareth Southgate at the 2024 Euros and he performed very well. A scorer of some important goals for Arsenal in the 2023-24 season, the central midfielder has gone from strength to strength since his move, despite some eyebrows being raised over the hefty fee.

Rice’s role for England is similar to his role when playing for the Gunners – and, in short, that is to be the glue. An astute tackler with an incredible engine, the former West Ham United captain has all the tools to remain a crucial player for England in the foreseeable future.

Related

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Declan Rice's 2024/25 stats

Games

7

Goals

1

Assists

1

7 Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (9)

While he had to endure a spell on the sidelines through injury in 2023/24, Trent Alexander-Arnold had an incredible campaign for Liverpool as the Reds looked to mount a title challenge. The full-back went through a crisis of confidence in the previous campaign before finding improved form in an inverted role.

Stepping into midfield to unleash his creativity posed a new challenge for opposing teams to deal with and many failed to stop the attack-minded defender. Arguably the best right-back in the league, Alexander-Arnold's versatility to play in several positions could be a very attractive prospect to the incoming England manager who will want to make better use of one of the most talented England players than their predecessor did.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's 2024/25 stats

Games

7

Goals

Assists

2

8 Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (10)

Looking to become Kane’s understudy at international level, Ollie Watkins has just 15 England caps to his name thus far – but that is well-poised to rise in years to come with opportunities for a striker as talismanic as the Aston Villa ace is bound to arise.

The Englishman is regarded as one of the best strikers in world football with him rubbing shoulders with the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. He scored 27 goals and added 13 assists in all competitions last season, and scored one of the most important goals in recent England history when he scored a late winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: England's Euro 2020 final was their first final since winning the World Cup in 1966, while it was also the first time the Three Lions had ever reached the final of the Euros.

Ollie Watkins' 2024/25 stats

Games

7

Goals

4

Assists

3

9 John Stones

Manchester City

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (11)

A key part of the most domineering team in club football, Manchester City look somewhat disjointed when John Stones does not play. Versatile enough to ply his trade across the back four or in the engine room, the former Everton ace has become one of Pep Guardiola’s utility men.

Guaranteed to be England’s first-choice pick in the centre of defence for a while, Stones is perfect for pulling the strings, and keeping the ball ticking, and he is also strong in duels – both aerially and on-ground. In possession, too, there are not many defenders in world football that can match his calmness, while his passing range is considered to be among the very best.

John Stones' 2024/25 stats

Games

4

Goals

1

Assists

10 Jordan Pickford

Everton

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (12)

For years, Jordan Pickford was viewed as someone integral for the Three Lions, but someone unreliable when it came to Everton. However, the goalkeeper dispelled those accusations during the 2023/24 term, keeping 13 Premier League clean sheets, a total bettered only by Arsenal's David Raya.

His qualities have shone through under Sean Dyche, with the shot-stopper possessing excellent reflexes and distribution, while he is never afraid to boss his defenders about. Now 30 years old, the veteran goalkeeper is a guaranteed starter for England, and he could almost certainly be considered one of the greatest to stand between the sticks for the Three Lions.

Jordan Pickford 2024/25 stats

Games

7

Clean sheets

15

Goals conceded

1

11 Anthony Gordon

Newcastle

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (13)

Anthony Gordon joined Newcastle in January 2023 from boyhood club Everton as an exciting youngster. The first six months he spent on Tyneside had many fans questioning his signing as he failed to nail down a regular spot in Eddie Howe's first XI.

However, in 2023/24, the youngster was arguably one of their top performers. The Englishman has even put himself in contention for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the European Championships in 2024. Being able to operate from either wing, the 23-year-old has added goals to his game and he could prove to be a key asset in future England teams if Lee Carsley becomes the England manager permanently.

Anthony Gordon's 2024/25 stats

Games

7

Goals

2

Assists

Related

Bowen, Gordon, Grealish, Palmer and Rashford’s Stats Compared

Palmer, Gordon, Bowen, Grealish and Rashford are all in contention to make England's Euro 2024 squad alongside winger duo Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

12 Jarrod Bowen

West Ham United

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Since moving to West Ham from Hull City, Jarrod Bowen has become one of the best players in the Premier League and he is well on his way to becoming a West Ham Legend. His development under David Moyes was remarkable but it remains to be seen if he'll thrive with Julen Lopetegui at the helm.

Playing through the middle, Bowen – a winger by trade - has adapted to the challenges of being his side’s focal point admirably and his 23/24 season return of 20 goals and 10 assists is a testament to his professionalism and talent. Considering he recorded one of the best non-penalty goal tallies in the English top flight in the 23-24 season, he should be on track to continue his brilliant form.

Jarrod Bowen's 2024/25 stats

Games

8

Goals

2

Assists

1

13 Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (16)

Marc Guehi had a breakout season in the 2023/24 campaign for Crystal Palace. He was a key part of a Crystal Palace team that recorded one of their best finishes in the Premier League, often playing in an interesting hybrid defender/midfielder role under Oliver Glasner.

His breakout season saw him force his way into a starting place in the England squad at the 2024 Euros where he formed a strong partnership with John Stones. He even received his own bespoke chant from the fans which became incredibly popular amongst the England faithful. Despite being embroiled in a transfer saga this summer, Guehi remained at Crystal Palace and he is well on his way to becoming one of their best players in the Premier League era.

Marc Guehi's 2024/25 Stats

Games

8

Goals

1

Assists

14 Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (17)

Ezri Konsa has developed into a top defender in the Premier League and he was a highly important member of an Aston Villa side that qualified for the Champions League for the first time since Villa won the European Cup in 1982. He made 50 appearances in all competitions last season which just goes to show how far he has come as a player since his move to Aston Villa from Brentford, six years ago.

He has now made his way into the England National Team setup and performed well in the quarter-final of the 2024 Euros when Marc Guehi was suspended. His versatility will certainly be considered when it comes to selecting England teams in the future.

Ezri Konsa's 24/25 Stats

Games

7

Goals

1

Assists

15 Dominic Solanke

Tottenham Hotspur

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (18)

Dominic Solanke has become one of the most prolific strikers in England in recent seasons, and it won't be long until he is consistently called up to the England national team. He has long been tipped for success since being earmarked by Jose Mourinho for international success back in 2014 when the two were at Chelsea.

His stellar performances for Bournemouth led to a big-money move to Tottenham, and he could be the long-term replacement for the man who sits at the very top of this list. Should his goalscoring form continue he should be picked for the England National Team by Lee Carsley.

Dominic Solanke's 24/25 Stats

Games

5

Goals

2

Assists

1

All statistics per Transfermarkt - correct as of 29/09/24

The 15 best English footballers in the world right now have been ranked (2024)
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