Opinion: The dream Tottenham all-time XI – From King to Kane to Greaves
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Tottenham’s last league triumph, I thought I would put together an all-time club XI. Despite the trophy drought now at 13 years for Spurs, the team has had great periods of success with many world-class players donning the club’s crest. Using a 3-4-3 formation, I chose a best […]
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In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Tottenham’s last league triumph, I thought I would put together an all-time club XI.
Despite the trophy drought now at 13 years for Spurs, the team has had great periods of success with many world-class players donning the club’s crest.
Using a 3-4-3 formation, I chose a best XI of the most outstanding players in the team’s history. So without further ado, here are my picks for a Spurs All-time XI side.
Forward: Harry Kane (2012-present)
Currently third on Spurs’ all-time goal-scoring list, Kane has become a legend since his debut in 2012.
The 2014-15 PFA Young Player of the Year, 2016-17 PFA Fans’ Player of the Year, 4-time member of the Premier League Team of the Season, and two-time league Golden Boot winner, Kane has led Tottenham in goals for the last six years and counting (Wikipedia).
Despite no silverware – 2021 League Cup pending – Kane sits atop Spurs all-time goals scored chart in European competition, reaching the final of the Champions League in 2019.
Forward: Jimmy Greaves (1961-70)
Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer (266 goals), Greaves won the First Division Golden Boot five times and topped the goal-scoring chart at the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup, the club’s first European title.
Adding two FA Cups and two Charity Shields to the trophy case in his 10 years with the team, Greaves was named to the Football League 100 Legends, English Football Hall of Fame, and Tottenham’s Hall of Fame following his career.
Forward: Gareth Bale (2007-13, 2020-present)
The most expensive outgoing transfer in club history when he was sold to Real Madrid in 2013, Bale became one of Spurs’ all-time greats during his first run with the club.
The 2012-13 PFA Young Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and FWA Footballer of the Year, Bale was also a three-time member of the Premier League Team of the Season, and two-time PFA Players’ Player of the Year and UEFA Team of the Year selection (Wikipedia).
His quest for a trophy came up short in his first stint in the 2009 League Cup final, but his return this season could see him help the club win its first silverware in 13 years, again in the League Cup final.
Midfield: Danny Blanchflower (1954-64)
During his 11 seasons with the club, Blanchflower won four trophies – including the most recent league title in 1961. A two-time FWA Footballer of the Year in 1958 and 1961, Blanchflower was named to World Soccer’s World XI in 1961 and was inducted into both the English Football and Tottenham’s Hall of Fame and a Football League 100 Legend following his illustrious career.
Midfield: Glen Hoddle (1975-87)
After being named to the Second Division Team of the Year and helping Spurs gain promotion to the topflight in 1978, Hoddle guided the club to four titles in the following five years, highlighted by UEFA Cup glory in 1984 (Wikipedia).
Currently 6th on Tottenham’s all-time appearance list, Hoddle was named to the PFA First Division Team of the Year five times, claiming Young Player of the Year honours for the 1979-80 season.
After a dazzling career he was named to the PFA Team of the Century, Football League 100 Legends, and the English Football and Tottenham Hall of Fame.
Midfield: Steve Perryman (1969-86)
With the most appearances in club history (854) during his 18-season run with Spurs, Perryman was part of both of the clubs’ UEFA Cup victories in 1972 and 1984.
The 1981-82 FWA Footballer of the Year, Perryman also lifted two FA Cups, two League Cups, and the 1981 Charity Shield before being inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame after calling it a career (Wikipedia).
Midfield: Osvaldo Ardiles (1979-88)
Considered possibly the Spurs’ all-time greatest defender, Ardiles was named to World Soccer’s World XI three times and to the 1979 PFA First Division Team of the Year.
During his 10 seasons, Ardiles helped Tottenham win the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 1981 and the UEFA Cup in 1984 before retiring. After his career ended, he was inducted into the English Football and Tottenham Hall of Fame and named a Football League 100 Legend.
Defender: Dave Mackay (1959-68)
Used as both a defender and midfielder during his career, Mackay won eight trophies – three FA Cups, three Charity Shields, 1961 First Division, and the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup – during his ten years at Spurs (Wikipedia).
After he concluded his career, Mackay was inducted into the English Football and Tottenham Hall of Fame and was named to the Football League 100 Legends.
Defender: Gary Mabbutt (1982-98)
Playing 17 years for Tottenham, Mabbutt helped lead the team to the UEFA Cup title in his third season before winning both the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 1991.
Second all-time on the Spurs’ appearances list with 611 games played, Mabbutt was named the club’s Player of the Year in 1987 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame after retiring.
Defender: Ledley King (1999-12)
Playing his entire 14-year career in a Spurs shirt, King was known as one of the best defenders in the Premier League before his career was cut short by chronic knee injuries.
Ledley led the Spurs backline on the way to a League Cup victory in 2008 – currently the club’s last title – while also helping the team reach the Champions League following the 2009-10 campaign, Spurs’ first appearance in the competition since 1962.
Goalkeeper: Pat Jennings (1964-77, 1985-86)
Currently 3rd all-time in appearances for Tottenham (590), Jennings’ steady had in goal over 15 years helped guide the club to five trophies, highlighted by the 1972 UEFA Cup triumph.
Not only did Jennings help the team win silverware, but he also racked up individual accolades as well.
A two-time member of the PFA First Division Team of the Year, 1975-76 PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the 1972-73 FWA Footballer of the Year, Jennings was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame, English Football Hall of Fame, and was named a Football League 100 Legend following his retirement.
Stats courtesy of Football Reference and Tottenham Hotspur.
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