The Premier League era started in 1992, and has since earned its’ name as one of the best football leagues in the world. Today, we’ve picked for you the best team of the 1990’s, and it’s much harder than it sounds. The 90’s are known as the golden generation of Premier League, as top players from England and rest of the world showcased their tremendous talent and class to the entire world.
Strikers were in abundance in the 90’s, and all of them were top class- be it Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler, Chelsea’s Gianfranco Zola, or Arsenal’s Ian Wright, among many others. There were some exceptional midfielders too – Machester United legend, Paul Scholes, the Saints’ Matt Le Tissier, among a host of superstars in the middle of the park. The team was definitely hard to pick with so many legends to choose from, but after a lot of deliberation, we’ve selected what we think is the best of the best.
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Also Read: EPL 2016-17: Matchweek 2 Round-up
Let’s take a look at EPL’s team of the 90’s:
#1 Goalkeepers and Defenders
Peter Schmeichel (Goalkeeper)
The Great Dane is one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Premier League. Schmeichel signed from Brondby in 1991 and won IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993. He was a nightmare for every opposition to score against- whether an attacker was one-on-one with the keeper or executed a perfect header towards goal, there was a huge 6’4” barrier to overcome, who more often than not came out on top.
The Great Dane was also the captain of the famous United side of 1999, which won the European treble to write Manchester United’s name as one of the biggest clubs in world football. Born in Copenhagen, Schmeichel won Euro 1992 with Denmark and was the most capped player in Denmark’s history. He won five Premier Leagues, three FA Cups, and a League Cup before departing Old Trafford and joining Sporting Lisbon after United’s treble glory.
Denis Irwin (Left-back)
The Irish and Manchester United defender, Denis Irwin, will fill in the spot of left-back. Sir Alex Ferguson regarded him as, pound for pound, his best signing ever- and for a man who’s brought some of the best players to Old Trafford, it speaks volumes about Irwin’s class.
Irwin was named the PFA Player of the Year in 1994 and 1999, and was the joint most successful Irish footballer in history, along with Roy Keane. He was also a regular in the Irish team, capped 56 times and netted 4 goals in the process.
Tony Adams (Centre-back)
The Arsenal and English skipper was one of the best defenders of the 90’s and completely deserves to find a place in this team. He guided Arsenal to a domestic double in 1992-93, and also captained the national side which progressed to the semis of Euro 1996.
He faced his problems with alcohol, but Adams returned to guide Arsenal to a PL and Cup double once again in 1997-98. One of the best moments of his footballing career was when he scored a stunner against Everton to help Arsenal lift the 97/98 PL title.
Sol Campbell (Centre-back)
The 90’s wasn’t exactly the golden decade for Spurs, but one player that stood out was Sol Campbell. Impressive performances for Spurs earned him an England call-up and established himself as one of the best defenders of the era.
Born to Jamaican parents, Campbell made his professional debut at Spurs in 1992 and captained his side to a 1999 Football League Cup victory. Campbell was the hero of Spurs’ fans, but they were left heartbroken and angry when the Englishman left White Hart Lane to join arch-rivals, Arsenal, on a free transfer.
Lee Dixon (Right-back)
Despite brilliant performances from Gary Neville, the Arsenal full-back gets the nod ahead of him. Dixon was a very consistent defender and executed the duties of a full-back perfectly. Solid in defense and threatening in attacks, Dixon was a fundamental part of Arsenal in the 90’s.
Dixon was named in the PFA Team of the year in 1990 and 1991, and during his 14 years stay at Arsenal, Dixon won 4 PL titles and 3 FA Cups. The Englishman completes the back 4 of our team.
#2 Midfielders
Ryan Giggs (Left Midfield)
One of the most decorated footballers in the history of the beautiful game, the Welsh international will occupy the left-midfield position in this team. Giggs made his debut in 1991 and was a part of United’s legendary Class of 92. He went on to represent United for the next 23 years, winning 13 Premier League’s, 4 FA Cup’s, 3 League Cup’s, 2 Champions League's, a FIFA Club World Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and 9 FA Community Shield.
Giggs was a crucial part of United’s midfield alongside Beckham, Scholes, and Keane, and was at the peak of his game in the 90’s. One of the most memorable moments of his career was when he set up Teddy Sheringham's equalizer in 1999 Champions League finals, which set United on their way to a famous treble.
Giggs scored 160 goals in his United career and went on to manage the team for the remainder of 2013-14 season after David Moyes’ sacking, one month prior to the season’s end.
Roy Keane (Central Midfield)
The Irish defensive midfielder, famous for his aggressive brand of football, makes it to the best team of the 90’s. He joined United in 1993 from Nottingham Forest, and his presence in midfield was instrumental to United’s four league titles and three FA Cups in the 90’s.
Regarded as one of the best midfielders in his generation, Keane went on to become United’s captain from 1997 till his departure. The Irishman was also an indispensable part of the national team, representing them for over a decade, most of which he spent as captain. Most recently, he was the assistant manager for Republic of reland, who exceeded all expectations to reach the round of 16.
Keane was named by Brazilian legend, Pele in the FIFA 100 list of world’s greatest living footballers – and that should justify his selection in the team.
Patrick Vieira (Central Midfield)
The Frenchman joined Arsenal in 1996, about the same time as Arsene Wenger. The Senegalese-born football rose to prominence during his years at Arsenal and established himself as one of the best midfielders of the era.
Vieira was responsible for a lot of goals scored by Bergkamp and Wright, as he had wonderful vision to pick his teammates in scoring positions. The Frenchman has 34 goals and 29 assists to his name in his glorious Arsenal career.
In the 2000s, Vieira was a crucial part of the Arsenal team in 2003-04 season, which came to be known as The Invincibles.
David Beckham (Right Midfield)
One of the world’s most famous footballer, David Beckham took the Premier League by storm in the 90’s. He was a part of the famed United’s Class of ‘92 and went on to become one of United’s and England’s best ever. Making his debut in 1995-96 season, Beckham won EPL and FA Cup in his debut season at United.
The following season he scored a goal which football fans remember to this day- a strike from his own half against AFC Wimbledon resulted in one of the best PL goals. He wore the coveted No. 7 jersey, and he completely deserved it. A player with immense class and skills- Beckham would make football look so easy.
The Englishman was an incredible passer of the ball, with great vision combined with his ability to pick his team-mate time and again. He was a dead-ball specialist, not like those in the modern game who scores a few good free-kicks here and there. Free kicks-close range or far from goal, penalties, and corner kicks are all made to look hazardous when David Beckham stepped up to take them. Like Keane, Beckham was named in the FIFA 100 list by Pele, and is one of the easiest selections for this team.
#3 Forwards
Alan Shearer (Centre Forward)
The easiest pick in this legendary team – Alan Shearer is one of the best forwards to grace the Premier League, and his record feat of 260 goals in PL still remains unmatched. The man from the North of England began his career at Southampton before moving to Blackburn in 1992, where he took English football by storm.
Alan was instrumental in Blackburn Rover's title success in 1994-95, winning the Premier League Golden Boot for the season. Shearer went on to win two subsequent Golden Boot in 95/96 and 96/97. The Englishman found a lot of success with the national team too, as he starred in England’s run to the semis in Euro 96, and scored a total of 30 goals in his international career.
Shearer joined Newcastle United for a then record fee of £15 million and inspired the Magpies to a 2nd place PL finish and 2 consecutive FA Cup finals.
Eric Cantona (Centre Forward)
The mercurial Frenchman makes it to the list because he did something very few players managed to do – he was responsible for United’s revival in the 1990s and dragged his club to an elite level.
Donning the famous No. 7 shirt, Cantona was a physically strong, and tenacious forward, who combined skills and creativity with goalscoring ability. Cantona joined United before the 1992-93 season and went on to win 4 PL titles in 5 years. For all the greatness he achieved, he infamously kicked a fan in a match against Crystal Palace in 1995.
Cantona scored 82 goals in his 5 seasons at United, and was rightfully hailed as the ‘King of Manchester’.
Formation (4-4-2):
