10 Greatest England Wingers in Football History [Ranked]

Throughout the years, the England national team has been graced by some of football’s finest talents. Very few positions capture the essence of flair and unpredictability quite like wingers do. On the flip side, the weight of the crown can weigh heavily on the head of any England player, let alone a position that fans and pundits alike can often pin all their hopes of creativity on in desperate moments.

From legendary icons to unsung heroes, GIVEMESPORT has ranked the 10 greatest wingers to have ever donned the Three Lions shirt. This list pays homage to the heroes of the 20th century whilst celebrating the stars of the modern era who have left their mark on the international stage.

10 Steve McManaman

England record: 37 caps, 3 goals and 2 assists

Steve McManaman was one of the most technically gifted wingers of the 1990s. Though his successful club career often overshadowed his time with England, he still made a lasting impact by featuring in Euro 1996, World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000. His peak came at Euro 1996, where he started every game and was pivotal in England’s emphatic 4-1 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Whilst the records show that he didn’t register an assist, his inside pass to Paul Ince led to Alan Shearer’s penalty, and he initiated the one-two with Paul Gascoigne for Shearer’s second goal.

After Terry Venables’ departure following the heartbreaking semi-final defeat, McManaman suffered from his profile of being an out-and-out winger under Glenn Hoddle’s 3-5-2 system. However, Kevin Keegan’s arrival in 1999 brought him back into the fold on a more consistent basis, but by that time David Beckham was the undisputed starting right-winger. Marred by managerial changes and inconsistency, McManaman was still able to make the most of his opportunities and leave a mark on England’s history.

9 Bukayo Saka

England record: 43 caps, 12 goals and 7 assists

Since his debut as an exciting 18-year-old against Wales in 2020, Bukayo Saka has experienced a meteoric rise in football. The Arsenal player quickly established himself as a core figure in England’s starting lineup, particularly as the first-choice right-winger. His low centre of gravity, combined with exceptional dribbling skills and a relentless work rate, makes him a nightmare for any full-back in the world.

Though missing the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final against Italy led to racial abuse alongside Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, Saka’s response on the pitch has been nothing short of remarkable. While his counterparts’ careers have since stuttered, Saka has continued to rise, embodying resilience at its finest. Once again, he was heavily involved in the Three Lions’ run to the final of Euro 2024 – dragging the team across the latter stages with his goal against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. As the team looks to get over the final hurdle, he is destined to be a key player in Thomas Tuchel’s quest for silverware.

8 Theo Walcott

England record: 47 caps, 8 goals and 8 assists

It took until 2020 for a generational talent like Jude Bellingham to break Theo Walcott’s longstanding record as England’s youngest senior player. The excitement surrounding 17-year-old Walcott’s inclusion in the 2006 World Cup squad was electric. Though he didn’t feature for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side, for the next decade his explosive pace remained a feature for the senior side. His most memorable performance came in 2008, when he scored a stunning hat-trick against Croatia in a World Cup qualifier. Interestingly, Walcott’s best performances for England often came in qualifiers, where the dubbed ‘Golden Generation’ typically thrived.

Despite his early promise, he featured in just one major tournament at Euro 2012 and, amazingly, never played in a World Cup. He was controversially dropped by Fabio Capello in 2010, suffered a cruel ACL injury in 2014, and was out of favour under Gareth Southgate by 2018. Walcott’s England legacy is marred by ‘what-ifs?’, but his raw talent and electrifying pace made him an unforgettable figure rising through the ranks.

7 Raheem Sterling

England record: 82 caps, 20 goals and 27 assists

Raheem Sterling’s introduction to the senior national side was overshadowed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s four-goal bonanza in a 2012 friendly, which included that outrageous bicycle kick. Sterling made his mark in other ways, mainly by being England’s brightest spark in the darkest of times. His first major tournament was the 2014 World Cup, where he played across the front three in all of England’s group-stage matches. Despite the team’s early exit, Sterling showcased his versatility and attacking talent.

By Euro 2016, he had cemented his place as England’s starting left-winger, though his only assist came in the infamous 2-1 defeat to Iceland. Following Roy Hodgson’s departure, Gareth Southgate’s appointment transformed Sterling’s legacy on the England side. His link-up with Harry Kane was a highlight in England’s 2018 World Cup campaign, helping the team achieve their best-placed finish since 1990.

His finest tournament was Euro 2020, where he was England’s standout player. Sterling scored crucial winners in the group stage against Croatia and the Czech Republic, before netting the opener in the 2-0 victory over Germany and assisting Harry Kane in the thrashing of Ukraine. Though the Three Lions lost in the final against Italy, Sterling’s elite mental resilience was later tested again at the 2022 Qatar World Cup when he scored against Iran but left the camp (and later returned) due to a family emergency in the UK.

6 Joe Cole

England record: 56 caps, 10 goals and 14 assists

Joe Cole’s stunning 30-yard volley against Sweden in the 2006 World Cup is often seen as his defining moment in an England shirt, but his international career was far more than a single highlight. A key figure in the national team from 2002 to 2010, Cole was one of England’s most naturally gifted wide players of the Golden Generation.

The 2006 World Cup remained his best tournament for England under Eriksson, excelling in the role of a wide playmaker. His style was unique, and with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear he would have been a perfect fit for the modern game. However, Cole was often a victim of the generation he was born into. The challenge of managers was fitting Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard into the team, and it meant Cole was frequently shifted wide or dropped altogether as the sacrificial lamb. Had he been prioritised more, things might have been different for both him and England in that era.

5 Chris Waddle

England record: 62 caps, 6 goals and 1 assist

Chris Waddle was a key figure in England’s footballing landscape during the iconic 1980s and early 1990s. The former Spurs player was a left-winger known for his flair, creativity, and technical skillset. His international career only spanned 6 years, however, Waddle’s imprint on the Three Lions side played a crucial role in the national team’s success during that period.

Waddle was part of the squad at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where England reached the quarter-finals, and later again at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, helping the team to their best finish since 1966 at that point. His most memorable moment in his England career came at that tournament, where he played a key part in England’s semi-final run. Moments sometimes defy careers, and unfortunately for him, he was the one who infamously missed the decisive penalty against West Germany in 1990. Just as well as that moment being one of the most heartbreaking scenes in England’s history, Waddle’s legacy as one of England’s most gifted wingers remains too.

4 John Barnes

England record: 75 caps, 11 goals and 5 assists

Next on the list is John Barnes. The winger was notorious for his explosive pace, skill, and creativity, which was showcased in an ultra-competitive era. Barnes made his England debut in 1983, and soon became a mainstay in the senior side. He had the privilege of playing under various managers, including Bobby Robson, Graham Taylor, and Terry Venables.

One of his most memorable of those 79 caps he achieved came in 1984, where he scored a wonderful solo goal against Brazil. Featuring in three major tournaments, Barnes was only able to register one assist, providing Gary Lineker with a cross through some brilliant dribbling in the 1986 World Cup against Argentina. Barnes’ legacy remains as one of the most skilful and influential players of the late 80s and 90s, immortalised for his flair and technical ability on the pitch for England and Liverpool.

3 David Beckham

England record: 115 caps, 17 goals and 42 assists

The most iconic name on this list is none other than David Beckham. His career for the national team spanned over 15 years, earning 115 caps. Beckham’s unparalleled levels of success in the game with Manchester United and Real Madrid were measured by the abundance of collective Premier League, La Liga, and Champions League trophies. However, Beckham’s infamy came before any success with England, as he was sent off against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone in World Cup 1998. It led to intense public backlash in the British media, which he later bounced back from to secure his status as captain of the side and as a national hero.

Beckham was a player who defined his era, with his precision and technique making him one of the greatest assist kings in history. His iconic “Bend It Like Beckham” free-kick abilities became synonymous with his name, defined in 2002 against Greece as he secured England’s qualification for the World Cup. As captain, his leadership on and off the pitch was vital for years. Beckham was more than just a set-piece specialist. His football IQ, vision, and exceptional work-rate made him one of the most respected figures in English football history.

2 Tom Finney

England record: 76 caps, 30 goals and 13 assists

Though capable of playing as a forward, Tom Finney spent much of his career for both England and Preston North End as a winger. His legendary status was built on years of delivering precise crosses and scoring buckets of goals. Up until 1970, he held the record as England’s all-time top scorer, until it was surpassed by Sir Bobby Charlton.

Finney appeared in two World Cups for England, in 1950 and 1954. He lost crucial years of playing in more in his 20s, as professional football was halted during World War II. Both tournaments ended in disappointment, with England exiting at the group stage in 1950 and the quarter-finals in 1954. Finney failed to score in 1950, when England suffered a shocking defeat to the USA, but he did score in 1954 in a group-stage win over Belgium. Despite the challenges he faced, including serving in the military during World War II himself, Finney remains one of England’s greatest post-war footballing icons.

1 Stanley Matthews

England record: 54 caps, 11 goals and 13 assists

Despite his international career spanning 23 years, Stanley Matthews only played in the 1954 World Cup, alongside Tom Finney, where he registered one assist against Belgium in the group stages. Matthews lost several years of his playing career due to World War II, but was stationed at his beloved Blackpool and continued to play for both Blackpool and Stoke City during the wartime years.

For England, the majority of Matthews’ caps came in international friendlies, as he was overlooked by manager Walter Winterbottom for the 1950 and 1954 World Cups. He was England’s oldest capped player at the age of 42, a record he held until Terry Butcher surpassed it in 1990. Though any footage is scarce, he was known as the ‘Wizard of Dribble’ during his time for his exceptional dribbling ability. Stanley Matthews is forever remembered as one of the all-time greats of British football and the first footballer to be knighted. In any era, he would have been a force to be reckoned with, leaving an immense mark on the sport.