I must say I enjoyed Fottball more in the early 80's when my beloved Aston Villa won the title and the European Cup.Though must admit the English Premier League formed in 1992 has been the greatest revolution in football in a long time.From a viewers point of view it truly is a 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 alone deserves the top billing.Though his longevity aside what a truly fantastic player he is.A winger but has the versatility to play many roles and has sublime skill and a real appetite for goals.Whether setting them up with his skill or pinpoint through his crosses which are a thing of beauty.Then he scores plenty himself.He has been a huge reason why United has been so sucessful domestically and in Europe winning everything and anything in his time at the club.
Also a model professional in his preparation in all regards and off the field a great man!
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 talents.He won everything domestically with United in his time there.Though if anything he's remember as much for his skill in 'Kung Fu' as much as 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 so many times he has resisted and shown his loyalty.In an era where very few adhere to it.He is a fantastic player in midfield in a complete manner.Able to score a great goal or get down and dirty in tackles or hit a killer pass.He was key in Liverppol's epic Champion Leagues win and domestic Cups in England.It will be interesting to see if he stays loyal with the struggles that Liverpool are experiencing continue into the January transfer window
5.Peter Schmeichel:
In the game of football in truth you could make a case that the Goal Keeper is the most important player on the pitch.For 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 for of their importance to their sides.This great Dane was the best keeper in the history of the EPL and one of the best ever.He had the intimidation of all the great keeper in 'his' box and as a shot stopper and an organisor 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 being able to make any off side trap look obsolete.Then his finishing in the box was lethal.Also what a great taker of free kicks.He just had a certain class and magic about him a bit like the aforementioned Cantona.
7.Tony Adams:
One of the best leaders of men ever seen in the game and what a great defender.If anything he just had such an appeal to the men in the street for he had such a human side as seen in his battle with the drink.Though don't let this fool you that he couldn't play.He was one of the best central defenders in the history of the game.Combining such heart and discipline with his astute organising of the defence.In the intial years of Arsene Wengers reign as Arsenal manager where they won the titles and Cups domestically and in Europe. It was built around the water tight defence.For which Adams was the commander in Chief
A great player and imspiration for all
8.Paul Scholes:
One of the best midfielders in the history of the English game.He was a complete midfield player combining grunt and tackling prowess with sublime passing skills and an appetite for goals.His goals were either through perfectly times runs or long range cracker jacks.One of the main reasons on 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 skillful player than this great Dutchman.He had it all whether it be a killer pass that would make johan Cruyff stand up and applaud or a goal of sheer brilliance. That you replayed it over and over again.To bask in it's brillance and to make sure it did indeed happen
10.Roy Keane:
The epitome of tough 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 type of midfielders.Then in his later career reverted to a Centre Back/defensive midfiel role where he was equally as adept and as intimidating.He was a great Captain and a player who never took any crap from anyone-very Irish!
One of my type of footballers!
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 in the great Arsenal teams.He was very 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 midfielders
13.Matt Le Tissier:
This midfielder/striker was true genius in regards to he could do anything on a football field.In his career at Southampton some of the goals he scored truly belied belief.They were that spectacular and memorable.He has my undying respect for despite overtures from other bigger clubs.He never left Southampton
15.Gary Speed:
Like Irwin Speed never gets the credit he deserves for the player he was.His versatility was second to none being able to in truth play anywhere across the pitch.He had such logevity 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.Whether it be with a killer pass or a freakish goal. He just had that unique essence that is magic.He just had that thing that is so crucial in Football in regardfs to an ability to change a game through a pure bit of skill that no one could counter against.A delightfully kind and endearing gentleman too.
17.Xabi Alonso:
In truth this guy was the key to the Liverpool side that was challenging near the top of the EPL in his role in holding midfield.He was a truly beautiful player with his vision and reading of the game.Then his passing was of the highest calibre.Why Liverpool let him go is a mystery that's comparable to something Agathe Christie would pen.
18.Didier Drogba:
Id rate him higher for he's a truly great player but just don't like his antics and in his early career that was so symbolised the abhorrent tactic of diving to get penalties.Though this aside in the current game there isn't a more powerhouse predatory striker than this great player from the Ivory Coast.
19.Teddy Sheringham:
This guy was just a winner in regard that wherever he went he had the Midas touch and won things.A very fine striker that was famed for his heading.He was a key in the iconic Champions League title for United over Bayern Munich in 98/9 scoring in injury time and setting up the winner with a headed on 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.In regards to an ability to pass and dribble pass 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 was this midfielder/striker.In his time in the EPL he was one of the most feared players outside the clubs known as 'The Big 4'.For he could be in a truly average side but just through his play he could turn a game on it's ear by his acts of pure genius.Some of the goals he scored were the best in the history of the EPL.Also a true sportsman famously catching a ball when his team played on when an opposition player was down
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.Though like his ex team mate at United Ronaldo. A great player that has the skill and capacity to do anything on a football pitch.
24.Brad Friedal:
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 a goal that had everyone and anyone in complete and utter awe.
Im sure i've left many names out, but in compiling this list. It is more symbolised by who you leave out than in truth by who you include
A few notable exclusions are Michael Owen,Ruud Van Nistleroy,Frank Lampard,Sol Campbell,Michael Essien,Jamie Carragher,Fernando Torres,David Beckham and many more
GeoSuper