The best English footballers making the rounds right now are Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer. However, there's more to this even as Interesting Football dives deep into the top players ahead of the World Cup in 2026.
English footballers have also been top of the list when it comes to the best footballers in the world. Over the years, England has continued to reshape the dynamics of the game with its array of young talents.
The English national team has always remained a competitive force, reaching the Euros final and making it to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup consecutively.
Here are the top 20 best English footballers right now in the 2025/2026 football season:
20. Adam Wharton
The Crystal Palace star has emerged as one of the fastest-rising midfielders in the English Premier League today. The England international could become the next big-money talent at Palace with his impressive form at the club.
Adam Wharton joined Crystal Place in February 2024 and went on to lift the FA Cup and the Community Shield. The Blackburn Rovers academy product has continued to attract interest from top clubs due to his passing range and ability to drive forward at times.
Wharton was included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2024 and has been consistent in the team ever since.
19. John Stones
For many years John Stones has been a reliable defensive cover for Manchester City and has been a key player for Pep Guardiola amid competition for his place in the team.
John Stones has consistently had some iconic moments at Manchester City recently, including during the dramatic late draw against Arsenal at home. His future at the Etihad Stadium has continued to be up for debate amid.
Nevertheless, he is a technically gifted player known for his physical presence on the pitch.
Stones has been part of the English national team from the under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels before earning promotion to England's squads for the UEFA European Championship in 2016. He appeared in other competitions, including 2020 and 2024, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
You may also be interested in
Read: Best young English footballers ranked
18. Reece James
Reece James has continued to exert his position in the Chelsea first team despite injury setbacks and continues to rank among the Premier League elites.
The Chelsea academy graduate could only manage a few games in the last few seasons due to injuries. However, he has been consistent in the first team lately. A unique skill that sets him apart is stopping attackers from easily accessing his position. Today, he is widely considered as one of the best right wingers in the world.
Reece James has represented England at various youth levels and appeared at the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.
16. Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish moved from Manchester City to Everton on loan and is already helping the team in the offensive position amid their poor start to the campaign.
The England star has been handed a free role in the attack, which could be the reason for his resurgence. He won the Premier League Player of the Month for September after having six goal contributions.
Jack Grealish played for England under-21s before representing the senior team at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
16. Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen has been one of the standout players for West Ham United over the years, especially this season amid the struggles in the Premier League.
He leads the team as captain and has continued to maintain his impressive ratings, and not to forget his efforts that helped the club lift the UEFA Europa Conference League. He was named in England's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.
15. Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon remains one of the most exciting English players, maintaining a high profile since his Everton days and now at Newcastle United.
He represented England at U18, U19, and U20 levels and under-21s before making his senior debut for the first team.
14. Marc Guéhi
Marc Guehi is one of the central figures in the Crystal Palace first team over the last couple of seasons. His form makes him one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League. His key contributions helped the club win the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
He has represented England at youth level and was a key player for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning side and eventually went on to play for the senior national team.
13. Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze has enjoyed his own fair share of iconic moments with his exploits at Crystal Palace, where he helped the club to lift the FA Cup and Community Shield.
He moved on to Arsenal for the 2025/26 season and has been a consistent player in the English Premier League.
Eberechi Eze is known for his ability to play in advanced positions from attacking midfield and on the left. He represented England at youth level and later went on to represent the country at the UEFA Euro 2024.
12. Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White has continued to maintain his position at the top of the rankings when it comes to the elite players in the league. The England star is a creative midfielder known for his impressive rating year in year at Nottingham Forest.
He joined Nottingham Forest in 2023 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and has since dominated his position while raising the debate when it comes to England's midfield choices for the World Cup.
11. Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford remains one of the best goalkeepers in world football. He has continued to play a significant role in Everton’s survival in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons.
The English goalkeeper has continued to make a significant impact to help the Toffees maintain their top-flight status.
Pickford has represented England at various youth levels. He was the starting goalkeeper in England's 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign and at both the UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 tournaments.
10. Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers has been one of the standout players at Aston Villa lately and is being rewarded for records. The England star has been a revelation at Villa Park. He made his mark during the 2024/25 season.
The Manchester City youth academy graduate made the switch to Aston Villa and has since emerged as a powerful midfielder. Today, he is one of Unai Emery's midfield options. He is a versatile player known for his physical strength, attacking runs and ball control.
Morgan Rogers has represented England at various youth levels before making his senior international debut in 2024.
9. Phil Foden
Phil Foden is an all-rounder, regarded as one of the best footballers in the world right now due to his versatility, which allows him to be deployed in various attacking roles from midfield to right wing.
He has been impressive for Manchester City, with his work rate being impactful for the side. He represented England at various youth levels before making his senior debut and was part of UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024.
8. Ben White
Ben White is one of the most important figures in the Arsenal backline, thus establishing the side as having one of the strongest defences in the English Premier League.
The England star has helped to maintain a solid back four while operating at the base of the midfield. He has represented England at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
7. Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins maintains his position as one of the highest-rated forwards in the English Premier League. He ranks as one of the most consistent strikers in the EPL.
Watkins represented England at UEFA Euro 2024.
6. Trent Alexander-Arnold
A stack of talent, brilliance and quality all in one. I present to you Trent Alexander-Arnold. While Jürgen Klopp experimented with playing him in the midfield, which did work, he grew even stronger in the defence.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the best defenders in the world right now. His versatility makes him stand out.
Over the last couple of years, the English footballer has maintained a high level of consistency. Trent Alexander-Arnold is arguably the best right back in world football currently.
5. Declan Rice
Declan Rice has brought a solid game to the Arsenal midfield with his level of consistency over the last couple of seasons.
Declan Rice is a modern midfielder who brings a little bit of attacking flair while sticking to his defensive duties. While in his defensive position, he links up with the central midfielders and the attackers.
Declan Rice has represented England at UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2024.
4. Bukayo Saka
The rise of Arsenal to the top level of European football is fuelled by some of the young stars like Bukayo Saka, who has continued to maintain a high level of consistency.
Saka has been one of the top-rated players in the last couple of seasons. He has represented England at UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
3. Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is arguably the best Chelsea player right now, with his five-star performance helping Chelsea to win the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. This season, he made history by scoring four goals in the first half.
Cole Palmer has been a proven goal scorer and has been impressive over the last couple of seasons.
He has represented England across various youth levels and played at the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.
2. Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham has been applauded for his outstanding performance for Real Madrid week in and week out. The English footballer plays as an attacking midfielder but has also been deployed in other roles in the middle of the park.
Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund and has maintained his fine form ever since.
Bellingham has represented England at various youth levels and represented the country at UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
1. Harry Kane
Harry Kane, a name synonymous with prolific goalscoring in the English Premier League, has begun a new chapter in his career by joining Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023.
Kane has long been regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, and this move to a club with a rich history and success allowed him to reshape his career.
For a player who had previously gone without a trophy in his career, Kane’s move to Bayern opened up new opportunities.