There is no precise metric for determining England’s finest soccer teams. When it comes to determining who makes the list and who does not, factors such as the global following, major prizes, recent success, longevity, and commercial money can all play a role. When ranking the top 10 soccer clubs below, let’s us took all of these aspects into account.
10. Leeds United
Leeds United has one of the most fervent fanbases in the country, even though their most successful years were in the 1960s and early 1970s under coach Don Revie.
They’ve won three English league titles and an FA Cup, as well as reaching the European Cup final in 1975, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich. Leeds suffered a financial problem in 2001, and they were relegated to the third tier of English soccer, but they are currently back in the first flight.
9. Newcastle United
Even though Newcastle United hasn’t won a major trophy since 1955, more than 50,000 fans pack St James’ Park for most home games. The Magpies have won four league titles and six FA Cups in their 89 years in England’s top flight. Mike Ashley, the club’s owner, sold the club to a Saudi Arabian consortium for £300 million in late 2021, making it the richest club in the world.
8. Aston Villa
Aston Villa was one of just three clubs to be part of the establishment of the English football league system in 1888 and the Premier League in 1992. They have won the English league seven times and the FA Cup seven times, with much of their success occurring in the late 1800s. The club’s greatest achievement occurred in 1982 when the Villans won the European Cup by defeating Bayern Munich 1-0.
7. Everton
Everton, alongside Aston Villa, was a founding member of the league and has played in the top flight for a total of 118 seasons, missing out only four times. Between 1890 and 1987, the Toffees won nine league titles, placing third in all-time points. Everton has won the FA Cup five times, the most recent victory coming in 1995 when they beat Manchester United 1-0.
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs won the league and cup double for the first time in the twentieth century, and have won a major trophy in each of the six decades from the 1950s to the 2000s – a feat only Manchester United can replicate.
They have won two league titles, but have fared significantly better in the cup competitions, winning four League Cups and eight FA Cups. Tottenham Hotspur, one of the world’s highest-earning clubs, completed a brand-new state-of-the-art stadium in 2019 and reached the European Cup final the same year.
5. Chelsea
Chelsea has won more than 30 competitions, making them one of England’s most successful clubs. Since 2003, when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich purchased the club and poured money into signing top players, they have had their most successful time.
They’ve won five Premier League crowns since then, as well as four League Cups, two European Cups, and two Europa League cups. They are the only club in European history to have won all three major competitions twice.
4. Manchester City
Manchester City, formerly one of the best clubs in the world, enjoyed domestic and European glory in the late 1960s before falling into the English third division.
They returned to the Premier League in the early 2000s, and in 2008, the club was purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group, which had substantial financial backing. They’ve won five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, and six League Cups since then. They are the first Premier League side to ever score 100 points in a single season.
3. Arsenal
Arsenal holds the record for the longest winning run in England’s top flight, having been a consistent force since the league’s resumption following World War I. Their trophy tally is remarkable, but the 13 league titles and 14 FA Cups, the latter of which is a competition record, stand out.
Arsene Wenger was their most successful manager, leading them to a record 49-game undefeated streak between 2003 and 2004, with a team called “The Invincibles.”
2. Liverpool
In the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool was England’s most dominant force, winning 11 league crowns and four European Cups. Liverpool swiftly became a prominent power across Europe under Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagen, and Kenny Dalglish’s leadership.
The team went into decline in the early 1990s, and it took another 30 years for them to win the league again, this time under Jurgen Klopp. With six European Cup titles, the Reds are England’s most successful team in Europe.
1. Manchester United
Manchester United is the most successful club in English soccer, having won the Premier League a record 20 times, as well as 12 FA Cups, five League Cups, three European Cups, and a slew of other accolades.
The Red Devils won 38 trophies during Sir Alex Ferguson’s 27-year reign, making them the first and only side in history to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season. While they have spent the last decade in the shadow of their Manchester City neighbors, there is a little mistake who is at the top of this list.
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