Our best XI of current London born players includes stars from West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Chelsea, but no players from Arsenal.
London-born duo Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane together at Tottenham
Football is by far the most watched and played sport in the city of London. The English capital has fourteen professional football clubs, five Premier League clubs and three stadiums with a capacity in excess of 60,000. That figure is likely to soon become five, with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea both set for stadium moves in the near future.
Bobby Moore and Jimmy Greaves are probably the greatest footballers to have been born in Greater London, whilst arguably the game’s most high-profile name – David Beckham – was also born in the capital.
Arsenal are London’s most successful club, having won a total of 43 honours, as well as being one of only two clubs to complete a top flight season unbeaten (the other being Preston North End). Chelsea are the only London club to have won a European Cup or Champions League, doing so in memorable fashion in Munich in 2012.
We have created a London Born XI, a star-studded starting XI of players born in the city based solely on current ability. Let us know what you think….
Rob Elliott
Somewhat surprisingly, in goal is a Republic of Ireland international who plays for Newcastle United. Despite all that, Rob Elliott was born in Greenwich, London, and started his career with Charlton Athletic. The 30-year-old has spent much of his time in the north east as a number two but made more than 20 appearances in the Premier League last season.
Nathaniel Clyne
At right-back it’s England international Nathaniel Clyne. Highly-rated since a young age, Clyne broke into the Crystal Palace team as a teenager, before moving on to Southampton and eventually Liverpool. Now aged 25, Clyne has won 14 caps for England and is a key man for Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling in action for England
Manchester United and England centre-back Chris Smalling has taken a little bit of time to convince everyone of his abilities, but he is now a very capable top flight defender. Like Elliott, Smalling was born in Greenwich, and he started his career in non-league football with Maidstone United, before earning a move to Fulham and eventually catching the eye of Sir Alex at Manchester United.
John Terry
Partnering Smalling at the back it is John Terry. One of England’s greatest ever centre-back’s, Terry’s achievements are vast. Chelsea’s most successful captain of all-time, at 36, he is no longer a regular under Antonio Conte, but still warrants a place in this team over the likes of Curtis Davies. Terry has won 78 caps for England, made more than 700 appearances for Chelsea and won 16 trophies.
Read: England’s 2022 World Cup starting XI according to FM17
Luke Shaw
It’s a tough shout between Luke Shaw and Ryan Bertrand at left-back. The Manchester United man has been out for a long time through injury, but showed signs prior to that setback that he would become the Red Devils and England’s regular in the position for years to come. If he can successfully overcome his injury he is arguably England’s finest current full-back.
Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio celebrates scoring for West Ham United
Michail Antonio has been a revelation since signing for West Ham United. Highly-rated at both Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, it was only a matter of time before a Premier League side took a chance on the Wandsworth-born winger, and the Hammers are reaping the rewards for doing just that. Antonio has scored 16 goals in 51 league games for West Ham and been called up to the England team.
Mark Noble
Alongside Antonio in midfield is fellow West Ham man Mark Noble. A stalwart of the Hammers team, Noble has been at West Ham for 17 years. The uncapped Englishman who was born in Canning Town has made more Premier League appearances for the club than any other player.
Harry Arter
Harry Arter in action for Bournemouth against Tottenham
The second London-born Republic of Ireland international in this XI, Harry Arter also started his career at Charlton Athletic, but now stars for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. Arter is in his seventh season with the Cherries, having joined the club in League One.
Andros Townsend
More commonly deputised on the right wing where he can cut inside onto his left foot, Andros Townsend is also capable of playing on the left wing. Born in Leytonstone, Townsend started his career at Tottenham Hotspur but currently plays for Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old has scored 3 goals in 13 caps for England.
Read: Xavi? Giggs? No, here’s Europe’s most decorated footballer
Harry Kane
Harry Kane failed to set the world alight in four loan spells away from Tottenham Hotspur, but when forced to start the striker due to a dearth of talent up front, the forward was prolific. Since then, Kane has been one of the most formidable strikers in the Premier League, scoring 88 goals in 155 games, winning a Premier League Golden Boot and 17 caps for England.
Jermain Defoe
Sunderland talisman Jermain Defoe
Harry Kane somewhat replaced Jermain Defoe at Tottenham Hotspur, with the former England international departing White Hart Lane for a move to Canada and MLS side Toronto FC. The 34-year-old Beckton-born poacher returned to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2015, and has scored 33 goals in 75 games since his return.
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