Top 25 English Premier League players ever

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!

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