All-Time Premier League › Best 1970s XI

Best 1970s Premier League XI

The greatest starting XI of the 1970s, chosen from every club of the era by iKnoBall's era-adjusted engine — and the record they'd run over a full 38-game season.

353projected season
avg overall 92
93
GK
Ray Clemence
Goalkeeper · 1970s
92
DEF
Emlyn Hughes
Defender · 1970s
90
DEF
Frank McLintock
Defender · 1970s
90
DEF
Charlie Aitken
Defender · 1970s
90
DEF
Phil Thompson
Defender · 1970s
97
MID
Kevin Keegan
Midfielder · 1970s
92
MID
Liam Brady
Midfielder · 1970s
92
MID
Trevor Brooking
Midfielder · 1970s
98
FWD
Kenny Dalglish
Forward · 1970s
91
FWD
Malcolm Macdonald
Forward · 1970s
91
FWD
Allan Clarke
Forward · 1970s

Why This Is the Era's Best XI

Ray Clemence headlines the 1970s at a 93 overall. The engine assembles a complete XI — goalkeeper, back four, midfield, and a front line — from across the era's clubs, then plays out all 38 matches. Their 353 projection captures an era-defining core, measured on the same era-adjusted scale as every other decade so the comparison is fair.

Full 1970s Player Rankings

PlayerPositionEraOVR
Ray ClemenceGoalkeeper1970s93
Emlyn HughesDefender1970s92
Frank McLintockDefender1970s90
Charlie AitkenDefender1970s90
Phil ThompsonDefender1970s90
Kevin KeeganMidfielder1970s97
Liam BradyMidfielder1970s92
Trevor BrookingMidfielder1970s92
Kenny DalglishForward1970s98
Malcolm MacdonaldForward1970s91
Allan ClarkeForward1970s91
Pat JenningsGoalkeeper1970s93
Peter ShiltonGoalkeeper1970s93
Peter OsgoodForward1970s91
Tony CurrieMidfielder1970s91
Charlie GeorgeForward1970s90
Billy BremnerMidfielder1970s90
Archie GemmillMidfielder1970s90
Glenn HoddleMidfielder1970s90
Alan HudsonMidfielder1970s89
Paul MadeleyDefender1970s89
John ToshackForward1970s89
Kenny BurnsDefender1970s89
John RobertsonMidfielder1970s88
Alan BallMidfielder1970s87
Peter LorimerForward1970s87
Norman HunterDefender1970s87
Ossie ArdilesMidfielder1970s87
Frank StapletonForward1970s87
Andy GrayForward1970s87

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Frequently Asked

What is the best 1970s Premier League XI of all time?

iKnoBall's era-adjusted engine picks Ray Clemence (GK, 1970s), Emlyn Hughes (DEF, 1970s), Frank McLintock (DEF, 1970s), Charlie Aitken (DEF, 1970s), Phil Thompson (DEF, 1970s), Kevin Keegan (MID, 1970s), Liam Brady (MID, 1970s), Trevor Brooking (MID, 1970s), Kenny Dalglish (FWD, 1970s), Malcolm Macdonald (FWD, 1970s), Allan Clarke (FWD, 1970s) as the greatest 1970s XI, projecting them to a 35–3 season.

How strong was the 1970s in English football?

The top 1970s XI projects at 35–3 with an average starter rating of 92. Ratings are era-adjusted so a dominant 1970s season is measured on the same scale as any other era.

Who was the best player of the 1970s?

On iKnoBall's scale the top-rated 1970s player is Ray Clemence at a 93 overall. See the full 1970s rankings above.

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Ratings are era-adjusted and computed by iKnoBall's simulation engine. Records are model projections for entertainment, not predictions. Player names belong to their respective owners; iKnoBall is an independent fan-made game.