Ten of the best players in Premier League history
Published:The last 20 years of the Premier League have treated us to some truly scintillating football.
Every part of the pitch has been graced by a world-class talent at some point in those two decades and we pay tribute to the best of those talents here…
It’s hard to argue against the great Dane being the best goalkeeper to have every played in the Premier League – proved by Manchester United’s lengthy struggle to find a replacement upon his retirement.
One of the few one-club men of the modern game, Adams is a true Premier League legend. He was Arsenal captain for 14 straight years and formed part of the club’s brick-wall defence in the 90s along with Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon and Steve Bould.
The defender wasn’t the most popular of Premier League players way from Old Trafford, but there is no doubting that Neville was an absolutely top-class right-back.
Never mind the Premier League, Cole has long been considered one of the best left-backs in the world. He’s fast, he’s resolute and he’s dedicated to his cause – a world-class star.
The captain of Arsenal during the ‘Invincibles’ season, Vieira often dominated his opposition in the middle of the park. He was a truly fearsome defensive midfielder for many, many years.
To be on the receiving end of praise from the likes of Xavi and Iniesta – widely considered to be the best midfielders in the game – is no mean feat. Scholes, that quiet lad from Oldham, is footballing class personified.
Our second one-club man on this list is the Welsh wizard Giggs. Top players lists are incomplete without this man. Incontestably the best British left winger of the last two decades.
Ronaldo doesn’t have many fans left in England following ‘winkgate’ at World Cup 2006, but his record in England speaks for itself – 118 goals in 292 games! Who in their right mind would leave this Portuguese goal machine off this list?
Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer is one of the greatest talents to have ever graced the Premier League. Unsurprisingly, his record surpasses that of Ronaldo at 174 goals in 254 appearances – a true terroriser of defences.
A fitting end to this list is the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer. Shearer is light-years ahead of second-placed Andy Cole with 260 goals at the top level – a truly remarkable English striker.
