Tottenham’s Greatest XI of All Time has been named

Tottenham’s Greatest XI of All Time has been named. If it’s entertainment you’re after, you will usually get it by watching Tottenham Hotspur in action. The Lilywhites have always emphasised an exciting attacking brand of football that can reap its rewards but also end in disaster.

Legendary former boss Bill Nicholson once said, “It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low”, and the likes of Jimmy Greaves and Cliff Jones did just that during the Englishman’s reign. The iconic duo were part of a Spurs side that won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.

Nicholson also added, “At Spurs, we set our sights very high, so that even failure will have in it an echo of glory”, which is a perfect way to describe how the North Londoners have agonisingly come close to glory over the years. Not even a Europa League triumph saved Ange Postecoglou from the chop, but it’s fair to say many of his players weren’t up to scratch.

One of the Europa League-winning squad makes it into Tottenham’s all-time XI that is brimming with attacking talent and reliable workhorses at the back. Every player from every era was available for selection, and that resulted in some controversial omissions, such as Gareth Bale and Paul Gascoigne.

Pat Jennings (Goalkeeper)

There haven’t been many more reliable goalkeepers in English football history than Pat Jennings, who is one of the very few footballers celebrated by both Tottenham and Arsenal.

Jennings was an excellent shot-stopper who could prevent the most fierce strike from piercing the back of the net. He helped the Lilywhites win the FA Cup in 1967 with a magnificent performance in a win over Chelsea in the final.

The Northern Irishman even came up with an unlikely goal in an FA Charity victory over Manchester United after booting the ball out of his hands from his own box. He was one of Britain’s very best between the sticks and earned three Ballon d’Or nominations during his illustrious career.

Pat Jennings’ Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Clean Sheets:

Goals Conceded:

Trophies:

571

168

711

UEFA Cup, FA Cup, League Cup 2x

Steve Perryman (Right-Back)

Spurs have possessed some brilliant right-backs, including Kyle Walker and Joe Kinnear, but two-time FA Cup winner Steve Perryman’s leadership shades it.

Perryman was a role model for his teammates, consistently delivering performances of 7/10 or higher. He transitioned from a midfielder to a right-back whose reading of the game blended with an incredible engine room.

If you want an example of his hard work and dedication, just take a look at the club’s all-time appearance maker list. He sits at the very top and he wore the captain’s armband for the majority of those games.

Steve Perryman’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

777

36

5

UEFA Cup 2x, FA Cup 2x, League Cup 2x

Gary Mabbutt (Centre-Back)

Gary Mabbutt wasn’t the fastest athlete, but he was incredibly astute at reading the game while playing with his heart on his sleeve throughout his Spurs career. He became a fan favourite thanks to his loyalty and always being a consummate professional.

The Bristolian made it to the elite level of football despite being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during his teenage years. He made his mark at White Hart Lane, including when he lifted the UEFA Cup in 1984 as well as the FA Cup seven years later.

Mabbutt offered a versatile profile, able to play in midfield as well as central defence. He was a dream to have as a teammate and would have forged a formidable partnership with any of the long list of left-sided centre-backs in the club’s history.

Gary Mabbutt’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

597

36

10

UEFA Cup, FA Cup

Ledley King (Centre-Back)

If it weren’t for recurring injury problems, Ledley King would undoubtedly be compared to the Premier League’s all-time greats. He made defending look easy, almost like an art, because he impeccably knew how to time a tackle and make the right decision.

King’s calm and composed demeanour and playing style helped teammates relax and play their game. He spent his entire career at the Lane, but unfortunately, he couldn’t shake off fitness struggles.

Harry Redknapp once called the former 21-cap England international an “absolute freak” because King would play top-flight football without training. That was a testament to his dedication to the club, where he has since moved into a coaching role.

Ledley King’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

323

14

9

League Cup

Cyril Knowles (Left-Back)

The reliability of a Mabbutt and King partnership would work wonders for the attacking-minded Cyril Knowles, who loved nothing more than bombing forward and helping out an accompanying left-winger. He ran for days helping Spurs in transition, but could still do a job defensively.

Knowles’ pace sometimes left the opposition dumbfounded, while he could pick a man out with accurate crosses into the box. He was a standout performer in his side’s 2-1 (AET) win over Chelsea in the 1967 FA Cup final, again catching the eye with overlapping runs.

The Englishman was unbelievably consistent and always up for high-pressure matches, which is why he was Bill Nicholson’s most-used outfield player of his managerial career. He was adored by the fanbase who would chant Cockeral Cyrus’ “Nice One Cyril” each time he took to the pitch.

Cyril Knowles’ Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

494

15

6

UEFA Cup, FA Cup, League Cup 2x

Glenn Hoddle (Central Midfield)

Glenn Hoddle was one of the most sublime ball-playing midfielders who possessed eye-catching elegance with the ball as well as a footballing IQ second to none. He dictated games thanks to his playmaking abilities, and that included the UEFA Cup triumph in 1983-84 when he registered five assists in six games.

The versatile midfielder was heralded throughout his career and is often named among the most naturally gifted players to emerge on British soil. He even starred under Arsene Wenger at AS Monaco in France and would leave fans wowed with his dribbling and passing range.

Johan Cruyff once played against Hoddle, and his opinion is one of the most valued of any footballing mind. The Dutch maestro stated after being bested by the Englishman that “Glenn was a great player” and “played football the way that I wanted to see it played.”

Steve Perryman’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

435

96

52

UEFA Cup

Dave Mackay (Central Midfield)

While many midfield talents have embodied the fierce mentality that Spurs fans desire, none have done so quite like the Iron Man, Dave Mackay. A Scottish brute who worked box-to-box because he’s so well-rounded, he could put out fires before coming up trumps and finishing off a counter-attacking move.

Mackay was as tough as nails but equally intelligent, while his winning mindset saw him serve as “the heartbeat” in the Lilywhites’ 1960-61 double-winning side. He could do it all in the middle of the park, and his leadership proved key during his time in North London.

Sir Alex Ferguson even named Mackay among the four best Scots in history, which speaks volumes. He was also adaptable, able to play as a left half and as a sweeper, and his passionate personality was always a hit with fans.

Danny Blanchflower (Central Midfield)

Picking a captain for Tottenham’s all-time XI wouldn’t be difficult, as Danny Blanchflower performed such a role as a tactician rather than a skipper. His unrivalled footballing brain saw him order his colleagues around while dominating the midfield area for both club and country.

Blanchflower played a crucial role in the attack-minded brand of football that has become a staple of Spurs teams. He was ahead of his time, and always managed to galvanize his teammates to do their jobs.

The Northern Irish legend captained the Lilywhites to their domestic double in 1960-61 before getting his hands on the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963. He will always be recognised as the first Brit to lift a major European trophy after beating Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the final.

Danny Blanchflower’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

378

21

32

First Division Title, European Cup Winners’ Cup, FA Cup 2x

Jimmy Greaves (Right-Wing)

There was no chance Jimmy Greaves wasn’t making the team, and while he’s been selected on the right, he’d be free to roam, which he had a habit of doing throughout his history-making Tottenham spell. The iconic English striker relished leading the line but could also drift out wide when his side were on the attack.

Greaves was a natural goalscorer whose instinctive movement and quick thinking saw him thrive at White Hart Lane. He held the record as Spurs’ all-time top scorer until one of his compatriots came along decades later.

A member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, the Londoner picked up six First Division Golden Boots, including an astonishing 35 goals in 1963-64. He was adaptable and a team player who could conjure up moments of brilliance in the blink of an eye.

Jimmy Greaves’ Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

376

266

46

European Cup Winners’ Cup, FA Cup 2x

Harry Kane (Centre-Forward)

Harry Kane developed into one of the most feared frontmen in world football while at Tottenham, growing his all-around game to serve as more than just a number nine. The England captain is often seen dropping deep to collect the ball and bring others into play, and he credits Jose Mourinho for giving him a more freedom-based role.

Greaves’ goalscoring record was brought to an end by Kane in February 2023, and that came a month before he became England’s greatest ever goalscorer. There was more to his game than just goals during his 12-year spell with the club’s senior team; he was often the talisman that helped lead his side to victory.

If it weren’t for the Whites’ trophy drought, he very well could still be leading the line for the North London giants. He unfortunately missed out on last season’s Europa League triumph, but continues to make history at Bayern Munich, where he has claimed the Bundesliga title and a European Golden Boot.

Harry Kane’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

435

280

63

0

Son Heung-min (Left-Wing)

It was up to Son Heung-min to step up in Kane’s absence after his longtime attacking partner departed for Bayern. While the left-winger’s best days were behind him, his incredible leadership was on full display, and he bid farewell to his beloved Tottenham by lifting the Europa League.

Son and Kane were masterful when working with one another and are perhaps the most underrated attacking duo to grace the English top-flight. But many feel the South Korean superstar has eclipsed his former teammate as a Spurs legend.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Harry Kane and Son Heung-min sit top of duos in Premier League history with the most goal combinations (47).

While he usually wore a smile when playing his football, you didn’t want to face an in-form Son, who shared the 2021-22 Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah with 23 goals. His understanding of the game would allow Kane and Greaves to work their magic as part of a troublesome trio.

Son Heung-min’s Tottenham Career

Appearances:

Goals:

Assists:

Trophies:

454

173

101

Europa League

Bill Nicholson (Manager)

Who else but Bill Nicholson, the man who steered Spurs to their golden era in the 1960s, while implementing a playing style that was easy on the eye. He oversaw the 1960-61 double as well as two FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Cup. There hasn’t been a more decorated manager in the club’s history, and he remains the benchmark for any tactician who enters the dugout.

Substitutes Bench:

Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, Gareth Bale, Paul Gascoigne, Luka Modric, Gary Lineker, Robbie Keane, David Ginola, Cliff Jones, Darren Anderton