10 Best English Footballers of all Time

#2 Bobby Charlton (1958-70)

Appearances: 106

Goals: 49

Charlton's goal-scoring record lasted for over four decades

There are few more iconic players than Sir Bobby Charlton. Revered as one of the best footballers of all time, Charlton played for England during the most successful period in their footballing history.

Charlton was selected for the 1958 World Cup finals but did not play despite the squad being ravaged following the Munich Air Disaster several months earlier in which many Manchester United and England Internationals died.

He scored his first hat trick for his country in 1959 versus the USA and another two years later against Mexico.

By the time the 1962 World Cup came around, Charlton had established himself as a regular in his country's starting line up. Charlton scored just once in the finals though as England were eliminated in the Quarter-Finals by eventual winners, Brazil.

Following the tournament, Charlton became his country's most prolific ever goalscorer, with his 31st goal for England, seeing him surpass the 30 mark set by Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse.

Charlton scored three times during England's 1966 World Cup success. One of his best performances in an England shirt came in the Semi-Finals versus Portugal when he scored twice and dictated play in the midfield.

Charlton won his 100th cap for his country in 1970 in a match versus Northern Ireland. In the same game, he scored his penultimate goal for his country.

His final goal came in the Quarter-Finals of the 1970 World Cup versus Germany in a match where England lost 3-2. Charlton subsequently retired from international duty at the age of 32, having set a then caps and goals record.

His appearances record lasted until 1973 when Bobby Moore overtook him but his goal-scoring record lasted much longer; four decades in fact, before it was finally surpassed by Wayne Rooney in September 2015.

One of the most famous England players of all time, Charlton was also one of the very, very best.