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I must say I enjoyed football more in the early 80?s when my beloved Aston villa won the title and the European Cup. Though, I must admit, the English Premier League formed in 1992 has been the greatest revolution in football in a long time. From a viewer’s point of view it truly is thrill-a-minute, high quality theatre. Here is my top 25 ever in the Premier League.
1. Ryan Giggs: This great Welsh player has played since Day One in the Premier League. So by that measure alone, deserves the top billing. Longevity aside, though, what a truly fantastic player he is! A winger with the versatility to play many roles, he has sublime skill and a real appetite for goals. Whether setting goals up with his skill or pinpoint crosses which are a thing of beauty, Giggs is absolutely amazing. He has been a huge reason why United has been so successful domestically and in Europe, winning everything possible in his time at the club. He is also a model professional in his preparation, and by any standard, a great man!
2. Alan Shearer: In my opinion the best striker in the history of the Premier League and in truth one of the best in the history of English football. As a striker he had it all – whether putting in a great header or showing his predator-like moves. If he had a chance, he rarely, if ever, missed.He was a key figure in the Premier League triumph of Blackburn Rovers, where he was at the height of his powers. In his later years, he went back to where his heart belonged – at Newcastle United – and will forever be a legend of the Geordie fans. He is the highest ever scorer in the EPL with 260 goals.
3. Eric Cantona: This guy was the epitome of genius verging on madness, but what an incredible player! His sublime skill, whether through setting up a team mate for a goal or scoring one himself, was truly of the highest degree. He was the man that was the inspiration in the great United sides with his unique talent. He won everything domestically with United in his time there. If anything, though, he’s remembered as much for his skill in ‘Kung Fu’ as for his football!
4. Steven Gerrard: This midfielder is the heart and soul of the Red side of Merseyside. He has been tempted so many times to leave Liverpool, and every time he has resisted and shown his loyalty to his side. He is a fantastic player in midfield, being able to score a great goal or get down and dirty in tackles or hit a killer pass. He was the key in Liverpool’s epic Champion League and domestic Cup wins in England. It will be interesting to see whether he stays loyal even if the struggles that Liverpool are experiencing continue into the January transfer window.
5. Peter Schmeichel: In the game of football, you could make a case that the goalkeeper is the most important player on the pitch. The outfield players get all the glory and the keepers only get noticed when they make a blunder. In a way, that says it all about their importance to their sides. This great Dane was the best keeper in the history of the EPL and one of the best ever in the world, period. He had the intimidation of all the great keepers in ‘his’ box and as a shot stopper and an organizer of defences he was equally adept. A truly great player.
6. Thierry Henry: One of the most predatory and skilful strikers ever seen. He was a bit of a bunny with his head, but in all other regards, he was lethal. If anything, his pace was his greatest asset, enabling him to make any off side trap look obsolete. His finishing in the box was also lethal. Also, what a great taker of free kicks! He just had a certain class and magic about him, much like the aforementioned Cantona.
7. Tony Adams: One of the best leaders of men ever seen in the game and a truly great defender. He held a very strong appeal for commoners in the street because he had a very human side to himself, as seen in his battle with alcohol. But don’t let that fool you into believing that he couldn’t play. He was one of the best central defenders in the history of the game, combining heart and discipline with his astute organising of the defence. The initial years of Arsene Wenger’s reign as Arsenal manager, when they won titles and Cups domestically and in Europe, were built around their water-tight defence, for which Adams was the commander-in-chief. A great player and inspiration for everyone.
8. Paul Scholes: One of the best midfielders in the history of the English game. He is a complete midfield player, combining grit and tackling prowess with sublime passing skills and an appetite for goals. His goals were either through perfectly timed runs or long range cracker jacks. One of the main reasons for Manchester United‘s dominance of the English game in the EPL era and in Europe.
9. Dennis Bergkamp: This guy was the epitome of freakish skill that bordered on sublime magic. In his time at Arsenal, was there a more watchable and skilful player than this great Dutchman? He had it all – whether a killer pass that would make Johan Cruyff stand up and applaud or a goal of sheer brilliance that you replayed over and over again.
10. Roy Keane: The epitome of toughness and leadership. Just look in his typical mad Irish eyes and try and defy him. He started his career as an inspirational midfield player in the tough-tackling and down-and-dirty-in-trenches mould. In his later career, he reverted to a centre back/defensive midfield role where he was equally adept and intimidating. He was a great captain and a player who never took any crap from anyone – very Irish!
11. Patrick Veira: The great midfield player and the ‘best buddy’ of the aforementioned Roy Keane (they truly despised each other), was one of the keys of the great Arsenal teams. He was very much like Keane in that he was tough and uncompromising, and in midfield took no prisoners. One of the best players in the role of defensive midfielder.
12. Robbie Fowler: An Anfield God and a truly great striker in every regard, be it with the head or in the box in a predatory manner. In his time at Liverpool he was without doubt one of the best strikers in the game. He was truly prolific at Liverpool and was a fan favourite. When he left for Leeds United in 2001, with him went the hearts of many of the fans in the legendary Kop at Anfield. You saw this when he came back in 2006 – the Anfield hordes still worshipped him.
13. Rio Ferdinand: This central defender is such a beautiful player to watch. His pace and reading of the play are sublime, which, coupled with his combativeness and willingness to tackle or win headers, makes him nearly impossible to beat. He has been the cornerstone of the great Manchester United sides of the recent past and is a near perfect defender.
14. Denis Irwin: A man who in truth never gets the credit he deserves. He was such a versatile defender that he could play anywhere across the back 4, which made him a very precious asset to the team indeed. He was also a very dangerous taker of free kicks with his lethal shot.
15. Gary Speed: Just like Irwin, Speed never gets the credit he deserves for the player he was. His versatility was second to none – he could play anywhere across the pitch. He had incredible longevity in the game, holding the Premier League games record till David James went past it. A great player and the epitome of the word ‘professional’.
16. GianFranco Zola: I loved this little Italian midfield schemer for he was such an intelligent player, be it with a killer pass or a freakish goal. He just had that unique essence that can only be described as magic. He had that thing that is so crucial in football – the ability to change a game through a pure bit of skill that no one could counter. A delightfully kind and endearing gentleman too.
17. Xabi Alonso: In truth, this guy was the key to the Liverpool side that challenged for the top honours in the EPL in his role in holding midfield. He was a truly beautiful player with his vision and reading of the game. His passing was of the highest calibre. Why Liverpool let him go is a mystery that’s comparable to something Agatha Christie would pen.
18. Didier Drogba: I’d have rated him higher, for he’s a truly great player, but I just don’t like his antics; his early career was symbolised by the abhorrent tactic of diving to get penalties. That aside though, in the current game there isn’t a more powerhouse predatory striker than this great player from Ivory Coast.
19. Teddy Sheringham: This guy was just a winner; wherever he went, he had the Midas touch. He was a very fine striker who was famed for his headers. He was a key factor in the iconic Champions League title that United won over Bayern Munich in 1998-99, scoring in injury time and setting up the winner with a headed flick.
20. Cesc Fabregas: In the current game one of the best midfielder in the world of football. He has it all, like all the great players, including the ability to pass and dribble past defenders and score goals at a strikers rate. One of the best players in the game today.
21. Paolo di Canio: What a freak of a player this midfielder/striker was. In his time in the EPL, he was one of the most feared players outside the clubs known as ‘The Big 4?. He could be in a truly average side but just through his play he could turn a game on its head by his acts of pure genius. Some of the goals he scored were the best in the history of the EPL. He was also a true sportsman, famously catching a ball when his team played on when an opposition player was down.
22. Cristiano Ronaldo: Again I’d rate him higher if it was purely about his skill, but his antics in regards to diving made me rate him a bit lower. That said, during his time in the EPL he was truly one of its biggest stars.
23. Wayne Rooney: Again a great player in all regards of the game, but of late his antics has lead him to be rated lower in my list, like his ex-team mate at United, Ronaldo. A great player who has the skill and capacity to do anything on a football pitch.
24. Brad Friedel: There have been many great shot stoppers in the history of the EPL. Though many have higher profiles than this great American, few would doubt his place in the game as a very fine goal keeper.
25. Jay Jay Okocha: This great African player, when brought into English football at Bolton by Big Sam Allardyce, became a cult figure with his skill and ability to score goals that left everyone and anyone in complete and utter awe.
I’m sure I’ve left many names out; in fact, any such list would be more remarkable for those who you leave out than those who you include.
A few notable exclusions are Michael Owen, Ruud Van Nistleroy, Frank Lampard, Sol Campbell, Michael Essien, Jamie Carragher, Fernando Torres and David Beckham.
