The proverbial home of football has produced a significant number of talented soccer players over the years who have gone on to represent the England national team. Unfortunately, a few English footballers, despite their obvious talent and ability, have never featured for The Three Lions. These talented players where never called up to play for the English national team. Here are five best players who never played for England
1. Steve Bruce
Believe it or not, the former Manchester United captain and Newcastle United coach have never worn the famous 3 Lions jersey of the English national team. Despite his exploits at Old Trafford, where he featured over 300 times for the Red Devils, BruceBruce, for some unknown reaso, was never deemed good enough to represent England. This turned out to be Manchester’s gain as he went on to lift 3 English Premier League, 3 FA Cups, and a European Cup Winner’s Cup title.
2. Billy Bonds
The West Ham legend is another player who surprisingly never featured for England. Although he was called up to the squad to play against Italy in a World Cup qualifying match, played in November 1977, he wasn’t one of the substitutes. Another opportunity to make his England debut came in 1981, but an unfortunate injury prevented Bonds from facing Brazil in an international friendly.
3. Jimmy Bullard
The former Wigan Athletic and Fulham player was one of the most in-form English midfielders in the mid-2000s. The presence of generational talents like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard looks most likely to have prevented Bullard from getting a look in during this period. This, however, didn’t stop the Hull City man from getting a solitary call up for a friendly against Germany in 2008. Despite England making 11 substitutions, Jimmy inexplicably didn’t get on the pitch, meaning he would never represent England.
4. David May
David May is another Manchester United defender whose exploits at Old Trafford were largely ignored by national team selectors. May did get a call from England coach Glenn Hoddle in 1997, but he was an unused substitute for games, during that period. The Premier League was never invited again.
5. Ron Harris
The Chelsea legend was also known as Chopper Harris. He was a brutal, tough-as-nails defender who featured in the 1970s. Despite winning FA Cup, League Cup, and European Cup Winner’s Cup titles, Ron was surprisingly not thought good enough to represent England during this period. Harris would go on to feature a record 795 times for the Blues.
Notable Mentions:
- Kevin Nolan
- Howard Kendall
- Tony Coton
- Dennis Mortimer
- Alan Gowling
- Jimmy Greenhoff
- Kevin Campbell
- Micky Hazard
- Albert Stubbins
- Jimmy Case.
