Picking an ‘All Time Premier League XI’ is very subjective and if you have read any of my previous sport posts you will know that I’m an Arsenal fan, so, I’m going to try and distance myself from that, being as neutral as possible. So, no Tottenham players allowed…. only joking.
The layout of this is going to work as follows: I’ll pick players from a list I believe to be some of the best in each position. Who I pick will go into the team. Some positions have so many world class players in them that I can’t list them all. The players picked will go into a 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper
David De gea
David Seaman
Petr Cech
Edwin van der Sar
Peter Schmeichel
Verdict
Edwin van der Sar: It was a choice between Schmeichel and van der Sar for me, however, Edwin edged it. This is only due to the fact that I watched Edwin more than I did Peter. Edwin was an extremely constant performer for United and won four Premier League trophies out of his six seasons in Manchester.
Right-back
Gary Neville
Lee Dixon
Lauren
Ivanovic
Zabaleta
Verdict
Gary Neville: Both Neville and Lauren were in contention, however you can’t look past Neville here. Gary was an incredible leader, both verbally on and off the pitch and through his consistent performances. Neville went on to win an incredible nine Premier League trophies and a legend not only for Man.U, but for the PL as well.
Centre-backs
Vincent Kompany
John Terry
Rio Ferdinand
Sol Campbell
Tony Adams
Nemanja Vidic
Jamie Carragher
Jaap Stam
Virgil van Dijk
Verdict
Tony Adams: This one is pretty straight forward. Adams is an Arsenal legend and will go down as one of the best centre-backs to ever play in the Premier League. He was an exceptional leader and all-round solid defender. He won two Premier League titles and two first division league titles.
Nemanja Vidic: This next centre back was a difficult decision. Kompany, Terry and Vidic were in contention here. However I have decided to go with the rock that is Vidic. He was a player who would put his body on the line to protect his keeper and goal. Vidic won five Premier League titles including three consecutive titles from 2007-2009.
Left-Back
Ashley Cole
Leighton Baines
Patrice Evra
Dennis Irwin
Nigel Winterburn
Robert Robertson
Verdict
Ashley Cole: For me this was between Evra and Cole. Irwin and Winterburn make good cases as well. With that being said, Cole comes out on top here and in my opinion he was probably the most complete left back he have had in the PL. He posed a threat going forward and he was great defensively. Throughout his time in the PL he won three titles, two with Arsenal and one with Chelsea.
Wingers
Gareth Bale
Christiano Ronaldo
Ryan Giggs
Robert Pires
Freddie Ljungberg
David Beckham
Eden Hazard
Mo Salah
Verdict
Cristiano Ronaldo: How could you not have CR7? He was electric during his time in the PL. He had pace, power and skill and fully deserved his two PL Player of the Year award in the 06/07 and 07/08 seasons. Ronaldo also helped United win their three consecutive titles between 07-09. It’s a shame he wasn’t in the league for longer.
Eden Hazard: One of the most talented players to ever grace the PL. I almost put Bale here, however I picked Hazard purely down to the fact he actually helped his team win the competition. He won the ‘Player of the Year’ award in the 14/15 season and won the PL with Chelsea in 2015 and 2017.
Midfielders
David Silva
Roy Keane
Patrick Viera
Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Kevin de Bruyne
Cesc Fabregas
N’golo Kante
Yaya Toure
Verdict
Frank Lampard: Frank’s PL record speaks for itself. 177 goals and 118 assists. This coupled with his three PL trophies and one ‘player of the year’ award makes Frank a true Chelsea and PL legend.
Patrick Vieira: What a PL legend Vieira is, with three PL trophies to his name. Vieira was a no nonsense midfielder who wasn’t afraid to put a foot in and fight for his team. His competition with Roy Keane will go down as one of the best rivalries in the Premier League. A captain in every sense of the word.
Strikers
Thierry Henry
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Alan Shearer
Eric Cantona
Didier Drogba
Dennis Bergkamp
Sergio Aguero
Wayne Rooney
Verdict
Thierry Henry: How can the man not make an all time Premier League XI? The frenchman scored 176 goals and made 77 assists. When older defenders are asked who they feared playing against the most, Thierry Henry is often the name that’s mentioned.
Dennis Bergkamp: For me, Bergkamp has to make this team. He is one of the best players ever to play in the PL. The skill, vision and technique of the Dutchman caused all defences problems. These attributes meant he scored and created some of the best goals ever scored in the League. Dennis won three PL titles at his time with the Gunners. A true Arsenal legend and my favourite player, ever.
The team
Van der Sar
Neville Adams Vidic Cole
Ronaldo Vieira Lampard Hazard
Henry Bergkamp
There we go, there is my ‘All Time Premier League XI’. What changes would you make to the team? What would your team be? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog.
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