Callum Altimas ranks England’s twelve worst internationals
Callum Altimas, a lifelong Blackburn Rovers fan, has spent over five years writing about sport and now presents a fact‑based ranking of the twelve worst England players ever to earn a cap.
Altimas' writing career
Altimas earned a degree in football journalism from the University of Derby in 2024 and has contributed to a range of outlets, including news and listicles for 90min, features for The Sportster and listicles for Sportskeeda. He began his professional journey during the pandemic, gaining experience across football, basketball and professional wrestling coverage.
In the summer of 2023 he joined the GiveMeSport academy, secured a freelance role shortly afterwards and later moved into a full‑time position, producing news articles and features on a variety of sports. His work also reflects personal passions – he follows the Orlando Magic and enjoys WWE, AEW and UFC.
The twelve worst England internationals
The England national team, represented by the Three Lions, has produced legends such as Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer and Harry Kane, but not every cap‑holder has justified the honour. Altimas argues that twelve players fall far short of the standard expected of England internationals.
Brian Deane, a striker active from 1985 to 2006, famously scored the first goal in the re‑formed Premier League for Sheffield United in 1992. Despite three caps – two against New Zealand and one versus Spain – he never found the net for England, accumulating a total of 102 minutes on the pitch and never winning a trophy, with a League Cup runners‑up medal in 1995/96 the closest he came.
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Keith Curle earned three caps in 1992 after Graham Taylor called him up, but was deployed as a right‑back rather than his natural centre‑back role. The forced positional change exposed his limitations and he was never selected again.
Carlton Palmer, the most capped of the twelve with eighteen appearances, also debuted under Graham Taylor. He scored a solitary goal against San Marino and featured regularly in 1992 and 1993, but was part of the side that failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup and never returned to the squad.
Michael Ricketts received a single cap in February 2002 against the Netherlands after a strong season in which he netted twelve Premier League goals for Bolton Wanderers. He was substituted at half‑time and never earned another call‑up, subsequently failing to reach double‑figure league goals again.
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Altimas’ list highlights how Time and circumstance can turn a promising club career into a footnote on the England record, reminding fans that earning a cap does not always equate to lasting impact.