Jamie Redknapp is best remembered for his time with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, enjoying a successful 15-year career in English football. Making close to 400 senior appearances—over 300 of those for Liverpool—the former midfielder gained vast experience at the highest level, while also earning 17 caps for England. During his international career, he played alongside top talents such as Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and David Beckham.
Despite sharing the pitch with those stars, Redknapp recently suggested that England’s greatest-ever player wasn’t among them. Instead, he pointed to a figure from an earlier era—the 1960s—who played a key role in the nation’s most iconic achievement: winning the 1966 World Cup.
Redknapp Labels Sir Bobby Charlton England's Greatest Ever Player
Sir Bobby Charlton scored 249 goals with Man Utd
Speaking on the SPORTbible YouTube channel, Redknapp took part in a debate with former Manchester City defender Micah Richards over who deserves to be called England’s greatest footballer. The discussion initially leaned toward Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as a potential candidate.
England’s 1966 World Cup victory remains the pinnacle of the country’s footballing history, a feat yet to be repeated. Charlton scored three goals during the tournament, including a crucial brace in the semi-final win over Portugal, helping propel England to the final.
"I disagree [with Harry Kane being England's greatest player] because I think Sir Bobby Charlton was the greatest-ever England player, because of what he did. And he won the World Cup in '66."
His brilliance extended to club football as well, particularly during his time at Manchester United, where he is regarded as one of the club’s all-time greats. Over the course of his career, Charlton won three First Division titles, a European Cup, and claimed the Ballon d’Or in 1966—becoming only the second Englishman to receive the honour.
Redknapp is far from alone in praising Charlton. George Best once admitted his admiration for his former teammate, saying: “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone glide past players as easily, even myself.” Meanwhile, three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini described him as a symbol of everything positive about football.
Even though Harry Kane holds the record as England’s top scorer with 69 goals, both Redknapp and Richards ultimately dismissed the idea, with Redknapp firmly backing Sir Bobby Charlton as the nation’s greatest player.
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