7 English Players Who Had Excellent Technique

Michael CummingsJun 7, 2018

These days, the average English player isn't necessarily considered a technical wizard.

The English are physical, committed and hard-working. But masters of technique? Leave that to Spain, or the South Americans or even, gulp, the Germans.

But it doesn't have to be that way, and it wasn't always so. England has produced a number of players with excellent technique, and some are still playing today.

Here are seven of the best.

Sir Bobby Charlton

1 of 7

Position: Midfield/forward

Clubs: Manchester United, Preston North End, Waterford

Considered one of the greatest players of all-time for both Manchester United and England, Sir Bobby Charlton was England's best player during the famed 1966 World Cup-winning campaign.

Charlton won it all during a glittering career, from the league and FA Cup to the European Cup and World Cup. He was named the top player at the 1966 World Cup and won the Ballon d'Or as Europe's best player the same year.

Charlton broke records with 249 goals for Manchester United and 49 for England. Both records still stand.

Paul Scholes

2 of 7

Position: Midfield

Clubs: Manchester United

In the case of technically gifted footballers, it sometimes takes one to know one.

With that in mind, let's hand it over to Spanish midfielder Xavi, as quoted by the Daily Mail:

"
In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen—the most complete—is (Paul) Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything.

He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.
"

Maybe so, but as it stands, Scholes is correctly considered one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.

Glenn Hoddle

3 of 7

Position: Midfield

Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Monaco, Swindon Town, Chelsea

French legend Michel Platini reportedly once said of Hoddle, "if you'd been born French, you would have won 150 caps."

Hoddle won only 53 caps for England, but not for lack of technique.

John Barnes

4 of 7

Position: Forward

Clubs: Watford, Liverpool, Newcastle, Charlton, Celtic

John Barnes scored a famous goal for England against Brazil at the Maracana in 1984. Barnes later said he wasn't quite sure what he was doing.

We do. He was being his normal brilliant self.

Paul Gascoigne

5 of 7

Position: Midfield

Clubs: Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton, others

"Gazza" was as adept at passing, shooting and scoring with flair as he was at tackling with gusto. Together, that skill set made him one of England's most intriguing internationals in recent memory.

So did his passion, sense of humor and substance-abuse problems. All in all, though, Paul Gascoigne's football often bordered on or surpassed the level of genius.

Matt Le Tissier

6 of 7

Position: Midfield

Clubs: Southampton

Known as "Le God" by adoring Southampton fans, Matt Le Tissier earned a reputation as one of England's most technically gifted players without actually playing much for the national team.

With only eight caps, Le Tissier won't go down as one of England's all-time greats. But just watch his highlights.

Wouldn't a guy like that have helped the Three Lions?

If nothing else, he was an expert penalty taker.