- Crystal Palace’s greatest English XI
- Ian Wright and Eberechi Eze make the team
- One current star included
On the day that England announced their squad for this summer’s World Cup, there was a glaring absence. Adam Wharton’s omission has shocked many amid a sensational season at Selhurst Park.
This isn’t the first and won’t be the last time a Palace player who deserves a call-up for the international tournament is overlooked. Some of the very best to represent the Eagles have unfortunately been snubbed by the Three Lions.
With that said, Read Crystal Palace have put together a greatest XI of England players to have played for the South London outfit.
Goalkeeper: Nigel Martyn
A tricky one to start with because Dean Henderson has been incredible since joining Palace. But Nigel Martyn’s legacy can’t be ignored, an Eagles hero who made 230 appearances for the club.
Martyn was one of the best goalkeepers in English football in the 1990’s. He was an excellent shot-stopper, boasting strong reflexes and consistency.
He became the first goalkeeper in English football history to move for £1m when he joined Palace from Bristol Rovers in 1989.
| Team | Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| Crystal Palace | 349 | 413 | 100 |
| England | 23 | 17 | 13 |
Right-Back: Nathaniel Clyne
A product of Palace’s academy who journeyed around English football before returning to his boyhood club. Nathaniel Clyne has made over 250 appearances for the Eagles and he embodies what the club is all about.
An exciting right-back whose energy sees him burst down the channel to help his attacking teammates. He will go down as one of the best full-backs that the club have ever produced.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 251 | 1 | 11 |
| England | 14 | 0 | 1 |
Centre-Back: Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi has been named in England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. Rightfully so as he is probably the best centre-back in the country.
Palace fans watched Guehi develop into a world-class defender, putting in vital performances throughout his time at Selhurst Park. An elite one-vs-one defender whose reading of the game is second to none.
Guehi could be crucial for the Three Lions and their hopes of winning the World Cup. He’s unsurprisingly made a massive impact since leaving Palace for Manchester City.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 188 | 11 | 8 |
| England | 27 | 1 | 0 |
Centre-Back: Gareth Southgate
While Gareth Southgate wasn’t the most talented footballer, he was a workhorse whose determination saw him thrive during his playing days. He started his career with Palace, initially as a midfielder before transitioning to central defence.
When you think of modern England, Southgate comes to mind following a 12-year reign. Many downplay his feat in guiding the Three Lions to two European Championship finals.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 191 | 22 | 4 |
| England | 57 | 2 | 0 |
Left-Back: Kenny Sansom
One of the most dependable full-backs when it came to defending, Kenny Sansom was unbelievably consistent. That’s why he held down England’s left-back starting berth for almost a decade.
With Palace, Sansom grew into one of the top talents in English football. He made the PFA Team of the Year before joining Arsenal, where he captained the Gunners to a League Cup in 1987.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 197 | 4 | 2 |
| England | 86 | 1 | 4 |
Right-Midfield: John Salako
England wingers are often renowned for their pace and electricity and that was exactly what John Salako was all about. His creativity saw him flourish during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Salako would have had an even bigger impact on the English game if not for a serious knee injury suffered in 1991. He helped Palace reach the FA Cup final in 1990 and scored a brace in a famous 3-0 win over Manchester United in 1991.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 277 | 30 | 18 |
| England | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Centre-Midfield: Geoff Thomas
A proper box-to-box midfielder who moved from a winger to a central midfielder. Geoff Thomas became a fan favourite during his time at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles legend’s greatest moment came when he captained the club to the FA Cup final in 1990. He also led the South London outfit to a third-place finish in the 1991 First Division.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 225 | 28 | 13 |
| England | 9 | 0 | 1 |
Centre-Midfield: Adam Wharton
It might be early to put Wharton in this team, but when it comes to talent, he warrants a spot. The young Palace midfielder is pulling the strings during the most successful period in the club’s history.
Wharton played a key role in the Eagles’ FA Cup triumph last season. He’s been just as influential during the journey to the UEFA Conference League final this term.
The fact that he’s been snubbed by Thomas Tuchel is ridiculous, especially with Jordan Henderson preferred. He’s a player you build your team around.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 94 | 1 | 8 |
| England | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Left-Midfield : Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze has earned a call-up to the England squad for the World Cup amid a superb debut season at Arsenal. He moved to the Emirates after firing Palace to the FA Cup with the winner in last season’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final.
The Holmesdale End watched Eze rise to prominence, dazzling with his trickery and dribbling abilities. His ability to thrive out wide and also in his preferred number 10 position makes him a manager’s dream.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 94 | 1 | 8 |
| England | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Striker: Ian Wright
One of the best English players to have been unearthed by Palace. Everything Ian Wright did, he did right, including finding the back of the net 117 times.
A late bloomer, Wright starred for the Eagles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His partnership with Mark Bright defined an era but his international career is one that didn’t quite match his club brilliance.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 100 | 38 | 1 |
| England | 33 | 9 | 6 |
Striker: Mark Bright
The other deadly Palace frontman who lit up Selhurst Park under Steve Coppell, Mark Bright was unbelievably prolific. He scored all types of goals and helped fire the Eagles to the top flight with his consistency in front of goal.
Deservedly voted the club’s Player of the Year in 1990, he goes down as a true club hero. There might not be a more English entertaining strike partnership to grace the game than Wright and Bright.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 151 | 48 | 2 |
| England | 0 | 0 | 0 |
