The Three Lions have been blessed with stars over the last 25 years, and though success has remained elusive, they've delivered unforgettable moments
England are the perennial underachievers of international football, and have been ever since their 1966 World Cup triumph under Sir Alf Ramsey. That remains the only piece of silverware in the Wembley trophy cabinet, and after the Three Lions' European Championship final defeat to Spain in July, a success-starved fanbase is guaranteed at least another two years of hurt.
It's hard not to look back on the last 25 years, in particular, with a real sense of what could, and probably , have been. England were beaten finalists twice at the Euros under Gareth Southgate, and made it to the last four at the 2018 World Cup. When the late Sven Goran Eriksson was the helm between 2001 and 2006, the Three Lions reached the quarter-finals at three successive major tournaments, losing two on penalties.
In between, there was a lean period in which expectations dropped dramatically, with Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson all proving ill-equipped for the demands of football's 'impossible job'. But in each of these three eras, England were able to call upon some of the best players in the world.
Very few of them could honestly say they performed to their maximum in all of the most important games. There were times when a lack of mental toughness was evident, or questionable tactics hindered their progress, but it wasn't all bad by any means. England's top performers of the century so far deserve recognition for making the country believe again, and GOAL is on hand to rank the top 25…
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty25James Milner (61 caps, one goal)
It took seven years for Milner to get into the England squad following his breakthrough at Leeds United in 2002, after he'd broken the record for the most caps at Under-21 level. He became a fixture in the squad after his senior debut in a friendly clash with the Netherlands, playing at two World Cups and one European Championship, and always gave everything.
Milner was a utility player for the Three Lions and only scored one international goal, but his versatility made him a useful asset, particularly during the Hodgson regime. There are few more tenacious and reliable players in the game even now, with Milner still going strong at the age of 38, and the former Manchester City and Liverpool star added real steel to the England team while always setting a shining example with his professionalism.
AdvertisementGetty24Luke Shaw (34 caps, three goals)
Shaw probably would have been the best left-back of his generation had it not been for his constant battles with injuries. He's an intelligent defender and a real weapon going forward when fully fit and firing, which has been rare at Manchester United, but many of his best displays have come in an England shirt.
Reaching 15 major tournament appearances is no easy feat, with Shaw managing to leave a lasting mark at Euro 2020 especially. His industry and guile on the left helped England reach the final, and his superb second-minute volley in the showpiece against Italy might have set them on their way to glory under a less conservative manager.
The Three Lions haven't had a left-back that holds a candle to Shaw in the last six years, which was evident again at the latest Euros as he was only available to start one game. Without him, England looked completely disjointed, and fans will be praying he can finally get back to peak physical condition in time for the 2026 World Cup.
Getty23Gareth Barry (53 caps, three goals)
It took seven years for Barry to reach nine England caps after his initial debut in 2000, but he would go on to become a key figure under both McClaren and Capello during a frustrating transitional phase. Barry was a master at breaking up play and did the dirty work to help free up Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, while also serving as the main link between defence and attack.
Between 2007 and 2012, Barry was the most consistent performer in the England squad, and probably deserved more credit. The former Manchester City and Aston Villa star was a proper all-rounder, boasting an impeccable passing range and fierce competitive edge. Barry couldn't get the Three Lions roaring again, but that wasn't down to a lack of effort, and his presence was missed after Hodgson essentially forced him to hang up his international boots early.
Getty22Harry Maguire (64 caps, seven goals)
Most Manchester United fans would agree that Maguire has not lived up to his £80 million ($106m) price tag since moving to Old Trafford from Leicester City in 2019. But in an England shirt, the defender has barely put a foot wrong.
Maguire was colossal during the Three Lions' run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup as he forged a strong partnership with John Stones that has stood the test of time. Stones has always been the more technically gifted of the two, but Maguire complimented him perfectly with his authoritative style and aerial prowess.
The United star's passing skills are underrated, too, and he brought real composure to the England backline in the most important matches, which is why he now has an impressive haul of 17 major tournament appearances on his CV.
