Top 100 Premier League Heroes of All Time

The English Premier League is the most followed football league in all of world football. On top of that, the quality of players in the league is like that of no other.

Since its opening season in 1992-93, the EPL has striven to always continue the growth of the league and the level of quality it provides.

In total, just under 3,000 different players have appeared in the league, so picking a top 100 was not an easy task.

At first one must define a hero. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means "a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability, an illustrious warrior, a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities or one who shows great courage."

To put that in a football perspective, I looked for the criteria of leaders—those that step up when they are called to lift their team. Additionally to players who have been thought of as "clutch," or ones who pull through when it all depends on them.

Additionally I looked at statistics, tenure and club loyalty for some, or performance across a variety of clubs for others to avoid discrimination against players who have had great careers spread over the course of many different clubs and contracts.

However, some players had to be considered on their performance and effect on the club they were a part of, even if only for a short period of time.

Without further delay, here are my top 100 EPL heroes of all time.

Note: All statistics and calculations come thanks to the official website of the English Premier League.

Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt had great moments at Liverpool during his time on Merseyside. The Dutchman brought a type of work ethic to the English Premier League that is rarely seen, and he made the transition from striker to right midfielder with class.

During his six English Premier League seasons with the Reds, Kuyt made 208 appearances and scored 51 goals for the club while collecting 31 assists.

Peter Crouch

To many Peter Crouch may not seem like a top 100 playing in the history of the English Premier League. However, the Stoke City striker is a different style of player.

His height allows him to have great access to the ball not only on goal, but to set up his fellow teammates.

Crouch has made 259 appearances across a host of EPL clubs scoring 62 goals. That goal total would seem much to low if it were not for crouch having collected 48 assists in his career.

Steed Malbranque

Belgian midfielder, Steed Malbranque had spent nearly the entirety of his career in the English top flight before him move away from Sunderland to French side Saint-Etienne at the start of 2011-12.

Malbranque's career haul stands at 39 goals and 54 assists from 336 games.

Morten Gamst Pedersen

Norwegian international Morten Gamst Pedersen has been one of Blackburn Rovers best players during their just recently ended stint in the English Premier League.

Pedersen has been one of the most constant and consistent players since his arrival in 2004 and has racked up a healthy amount of goals and assists in his time as well.

Marc Overmars

In only three seasons at Arsenal, Holland international winger Marc Overmars scored 25 goals in a century of appearances winning the league and FA Cup double in 1997-98 and being one of the clubs great memories from the turn of the millennium.

Jussi Jääskeläinen

Jussi Jääskeläinen is one of the best goalkeepers to have graced the English Premier League. Although Bolton Wanderers never won a trophy with the Wanderers, he always gave them a chance to succeed.

He continues his career in the EPL this coming season with West Ham United where he hopes to do the same for the Hammers as he always fir for Bolton, give them a fighting chance from the back.

Ashley Young

Manchester United winger, Ashley Young is only 27 years old, but already has climbed in the the top 10 of the all-time English Premier League assists table with 54.

With his best years still believed to be in front of him, Young could eventually have a chance at rivaling current teammate Ryan Giggs at the top the all-time assists pile.

Paul Ince

Paul Ince was part of Manchester United's budding dynasty years under Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1990's.

However, his time in the English top flight would also showcase his skills as a member of Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

Nani

Manchester United's other Portuguese starlet from the English Premier League era. Nani has made 125 appearances for United, scoring 25 goals and providing 38 assists and continues to be a major part of the clubs future.

Duncan Ferguson

Everton legend Duncan Ferguson is one of the greatest Toffees to have graced the English Premier League and is still all-time leading Scottish born scorer in the EPL with 70 goals.

Stan Collymore

Stan Collymore was prolific for Nottingham Forest and Liverpool during the three seasons that he spend spent between the two clubs between 1994-97.

Although his form was never the same with Aston Villa later in his career he was excellent in his prime.

Brian Deane

Brian Deane scored the first ever English Premier League goal during his time with Sheffield United. Deane would go on to score 70 goals in the EPL during his time in the English top flight.

Dimitar Berbatov

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov continues to be wasted on the Manchester United bench while he could be earning first team action elsewhere with his remaining years.

His English career between Tottenham Hotspur and United have seen him make 178 appearances scoring 75 goals.

James Beattie

James Beattie scored 90 goals in the English Premier League and is still in the top 30 scorers in the history of the league.

Kevin Phillips

Kevin Phillips is another player that made a mark on the EPL over time with his 92 goals in 259 matches. the majority of them coming from his time at Sunderland.

Craig Bellamy

Welsh international attacker, Craig Bellamy is one of the most impassioned players ever to have graced the English Premier League.

Bellamy is also a top goal scorer in the history of the league with 79 goals in 269 appearances.

Emile Heskey

Emile Heskey has had a solid career in the English Premier League becoming one of a group of players to have scored over a century of goals on England's biggest stage.

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben was not in the English Premier League for a long time, but his skill shown during his three seasons as Chelsea left an ever lasting impression. 

In only 67 appearances between 2004-07 Robben scored 15 goals and provided 17 assists.

Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha only played 124 games in the English Premier League with Bolton Wanderers but his skills on the ball will remain in the memory of the club's fans.

Dion Dublin

Dion Dublin scored 111 goals in his English Premier League career between a host of clubs. His time with Coventry City and Aston Villa saw the most of his exploits throughout his career.

Darren Bent

Never one to stay in one place to long, Darren Bent has made his away around the English Premier League having suited up for five different top flight clubs.

During that time he has racked up 115 goals in 267 matches.

Phil Neville

Everton midfielder and makeshift defender, Phil Neville is only a few matches short of 500 English Premier League appearances between Manchester United and Everton.

The never-say-die field general has been a legend for both Red Devil fans and Toffee supporters alike and still has staying power at the age of 35.

Nwankwo Kanu

Known affectionately as Kanu, the towering Nigerian forward was always been top class in the English Premier League.

His time at Arsenal was by far his most memorable as the fans loved him. Years also spent at West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth helped to give him such proper status in the EPL history books.

Fredrik Ljungberg

Swedish attacking midfielder, Fredrik Ljungberg was a major part of Arsenal's dynasty years from 1998-07. He also played a season for West Ham United before moving to the United States in 2009.

Had Ljungberg not fought persistent injury issues for his entire time in England he would have amassed much more time on the pitch and potentially even more acclaim for his talent.

Ledley King

Tottenham defender Ledley King had the potential to become one of the greatest defender the English Premier League had ever seen. His early retirement was forced through consistent knee problems that had plagued his career.

Even retiring at just 31 and despite all of his injuries, King still made 262 league appearances for Tottenham between 1999-2012.

Kevin Davis

Kevin Davies is the definition of a footballing power forward. His physical play has not only made him the talented goal scorer that he is over the years, it has also seen him become the most carded player in English Premier League history.

On top of his card total he also has committed the most fouls of any EPL player with nearly 800 to his name.

However, he still has managed to rack up a goal tally of 88 goals in his career.

Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka broke the mold as a nomad in the English Premier League as he spent time in the league with five different clubs, but with moves away from England separating those five into three separate time periods.

All in all between Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea he made 352 appearances scoring 123 career goals tying him at 12th all-time with Dwight Yorke.

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta in many ways has been a forgotten gem in the English Premier League. The talented Spanish international never had a solid place on his nation's national team, but he was one of Everton's greatest loves before moving to Arsenal in 2011-12.

A career haul to date of 342 appearances with 52 goals and 44 assists is nothing to be ashamed of in one of the worlds elite top flights.

Nolberto Solano

Peruvian international midfielder, Nolberto Solano made his name as a midfielder for Newcastle United and Aston Villa as well as having a season at West Ham United.

A versatile right sided player that could operate as a right wing-back or right midfielder, Solano was a master crosser and dead ball specialist.

Brad Friedel

An old man in the English Premier League these days, Brad Freidel was the breakthrough American goal keeper that cleared the paths for players like Everton's Tim Howard and Aston Villa's Brad Guzan of today.

Even at the age of 41, however, Freidel has not slowed down as he now wears the armband for Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham Hotspur as he continues to raise his career appearance total that is currently at 438 in the EPL.

Tugay Kerimoglu

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu was an all-around class act for the club making 233 appearances and scoring 11 goals in the English Premier League.

From playing as a holding midfielder to an all-out playmaker, Tugay was versatile enough to do it all for the Ewood Park faithful for eight strong seasons from 2001-09.

Joe Cole

Joe Cole was expected to become one of the greatest that the game has ever seen from England. However, an injury plagued career has caused much disappointment for the now 30-year-old.

From 2000-08 Cole looked set to be one of the greats during part of his time period at both West Ham United and Chelsea, even with his injuries. But by then old nagging problems finally started to take their tole and he once again fell prey to them.

He hopes now to find his way back to form with Liverpool as he begins his third season as part of the Merseyside club after a successful loan to France in 2011-12.

Petr Cech

Chelsea keeper, Petr Cech is the joint record holder for the most clean sheets in a single season along with former Manchester United stopper, Edwin van der Sar.

Cech continues to prove season after season that he has the credentials to challenge for the title of the best EPL keeper of all time if he stays on his current path to greatness.

Danny Murphy

A tough and determined all-action midfielder, former Liverpool, Charlton, Tottenham and Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy will go down as one of the most consistent and reliable in the game.

He was part of Liverpool's unique treble in 2000-01 winning the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup but failing to reach the ultimate prize of an unheard of quadruple by adding a league title.

Teddy Sheringham

Teddy Sheringham has been a part of five English Premier League clubs, and Tottenham twice racking up 147 goals as the eight highest scoring EPL striker in history.

A hero of the 1998-99 Manchester United treble winning side, Sheringham called it quits in 2008 after making 430 Premier League appearances.

Sami Hyypia

Finish defender Sami Hyypia is perhaps the finest player to represent his country in the history of the English Premier League. The talented all-around centerback played his entire EPL career in the Red of Liverpool making 318 appearances and scoring 22 goals in the process.

He was carried off the Anfield pitch in his last home match in a Liverpool kit and will forever be a fan favorite of the Kop.

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick was part of the so called "Golden Generation" of West Ham footballers that included the likes of Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe.

The skilled, yet usually underrated midfielder has been vital to Manchester United since his 2006 move from Tottenham Hotspur and continues to force himself into the first team at the age of 31.

Carlos Tevez

Since moving to the English Premier League with West Ham United in 2007 Carlos Tevez has been anything but normal. There always seems to be a controversy around the player between his strange want-away move from West Ham to Manchester United, followed by his move to Manchester City and his self imposed lock-out for the better part of 2011-12.

However, the Argentine surely can play. In 168 appearances between his three clubs he has scored 73 goals and provided countless contributions for the creation of others and he continues to look just as sharp as he enters the prime age of his career.

Olof Mellberg

Swedish international central defender Olof Mellberg was a rock at the back for Aston Villa from 2001-08 where he played his entire English Premier League Career.

The powerful and savvy defender made 232 appearances for the Villains scoring eight goals.

Robbie Keane

It is certain that there is only one, Robbie Keane. The Irish attacker painted a fabled picture throughout his career in the English Premier League where he is one of a handful of players to have scored for six different clubs.

He ranks 11th all-time in the EPL scoring charts with 126 goals from 349 appearances.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

A loyal Red Devil if there ever was one, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played his entire 12-year English Premier League career for Manchester United.

He was a hero for the club more times than not and was the perennial super-sub of his time. He finished his EPL career with 235 appearances, having scored 91 goals.

Jermaine Defoe

Tottenham forward, Jermaine Defoe is the only man in the English Premier League history to run riot and score five goals in a single half. A feet he completed in a 9-1 mauling against Wigan Athletic in November of 2009.

Defoe also has been in the English Premier League for all but one season of his career and has collected 110 goals from 353 showings.

Gary Pallister

Gary Pallister was the other half of a brilliant partnership in central defence for Manchester United in the opening years of the English Premier League.

Pallister helped to set the example for the level of play expected of Red Devil defenders as he made four PFA Teams of the Year between 1992-98 during the EPL portion of his United career.

Marcel Desailly

From 1998-2004 French international defender Marcel Desailly was one of the best defenders that Chelsea has ever had the pleasure of calling their own as he also wore the armband for the club during that time.

He made 158 appearances for the Blues scoring six goals and is regarded as one of the most well-rounded players in the history of the game.

Emmanuel Petit

Between his time at Arsenal and Chelsea, defensive midfielder Emmanuel Petit only played 140 English Premier League games scoring 11 goals.

However, his pressence was massively influential to the fortunes of both clubs during his time and he remains one of the best holding midfielders to have played in England's top flight.

Xabi Alonso

Liverpool's offense has never been the same since the departure of Spanish international midfielder, Xabi Alonso in 2009.

Alonso made 143 appearances scoring 15 goals for the Reds over five seasons, and will always be thought of as a player that left the league far to soon.

Ricardo Carvalho

Portuguese international defender Ricardo Carvalho partnered with John Terry at the heart of Chelsea's defense for the majority of his 135 English Premier League career.

He showcased a talent for tenacious tackles and quick pace while making a name for himself as a small centerhalf that dominated a tall defender's world.

Pepe Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has played his entire English Premier League career at Anfield. He has at times been rumored to move here or there but never faltered in his desire to remain loyal to the Kop.

Reina continues to prove himself one of the most consistent goalkeepers that the league has ever seen as he enters his eighth season with the club having already collected 255 appearances and 120 clean sheets as he hopes to challenge for David James record of 173 before his career is over.

David James

David James holds the English Premier League clean sheets record at 173 from 572 appearances in the top flight. James' record is one that is not likely to be broken in the next season, but in the coming years there are several keepers that will have their eyes on it if they remain in England.

Denis Irwin

Denis Irwin has been a favorite son of Manchester United since pulling on a Red Devil's kit. Sir Alex Ferguson and the fans loved the player and he rewarded them with 10 of his 12 years of service in the English Premier League making 296 appearances and scoring 18 goals.

David Ginola

French international, David Ginola was known for his ability to get past defenders in almost any position and find a way to the net. His time at Newcastle United and Tottenham were where he made the most of his English Premier League career.

Ginola was also renowned for his touch as he could find the perfect pass at any time in the match if he was given the opportunity.

Steve McManaman

Affectionately known as "Macca" Liverpool legend, Steve McManaman was an assist machine in the English Premier League. During his time at Anfield the talented midfielder made 242 English Premier League appearances scoring 41 goals and providing 68 assists.

Les Ferdinand

The cousin to current English Premier League brothers, Anton and Rio Ferdinand, former English Premier League great, Les Ferdinand was the complete opposite of his family members. While the brothers Ferdinand are defenders, Les was an out and out striker of superb quality.

He was the first player to score for six different clubs in the EPL with a combined goal haul of 149 between Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers.

Lee Dixon

One of the greatest right backs to play the game, and perhaps the best of Arsenal's history, Lee Dixon is without a doubt a Premier League hero of the highest degree.

During his EPL career with the Gunners he learned nine winner medals during the club's greatest period under Arsene Wenger.

Nemanja Vidic

Manchester United central defender Nemanja Vidic has been nothing but world class in defense for the Red Devils.

Despite an injury riddled 2011-12, Vidic remains one of the best defenders to have played in the English league and currently has 168 appearances for United to this point in his career.

Dwight Yorke

Forward and attacking midfielder, Dwight Yorke has a place in English Premier League lore all to his own. The talented native of Trinidad and Tobago sits joint twelfth all time with 123 goals in the EPL.

Yorke spent the most time with Aston Villa, but his time at Manchester United will be where he is most remembered as a key factor of the Red Devils treble winning 1998-99 campaign.

Matthew Le Tissier

Southampton's greatest Premier League player to date, striker Matthew Le Tissier scored 102 goals during his English Premier League career.

The loyal player that he was he was referred to by the Saints faithful as "Le God" at times, and his willingness to turn down moves to bigger clubs to stay at the club will forever make him the club's greatest EPL hero.

Robert Pires

French international midfielder, Robert Pires played at Arsenal for six seasons, and for all but nine of his English Premier League appearances.

The French maestro orchestrated the Arsenal attack in support of his countryman Thierry Henry. In 189 appearances for the Gunners, Pires scored 62 goals and provided 43 assists.

Ian Wright

Ian Wright is yet another Arsenal man to enter the top 100 heroes of the English Premier League.

The talented striker scored 113 goals in the EPL between Arsenal and a single season with West Ham United.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Dutch international, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the second highest scoring none Englishman in the history of the English Premier League with a total of 127 ranking 10th all-time.

He was prolific for Leeds, Chelsea and Middlesbrough as all three enjoyed having the talented attacker on their side during his prime.

Michael Essien

Michael Essien was the most dominate holding midfielder in the game during his prime at Chelsea, and honestly there are few that have been worthy of comparison.

Injury after injury has caused Essien much trouble over his last several seasons, but his from from 2005-08 will never be forgotten.

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres, the highest priced striker in English Premier League history, Chelsea forward Fernando Torres makes the list, but not for his actions since moving to London.

At Liverpool Torres hit the English Premier League with a force that only a player nicknamed, "El Nino" could.

The Spanish striker raced to 50 English Premier League goals in only 72 games becoming the fourth fastest in the leagues history.

In total he scored 65 goals for Liverpool in 102 EPL games. So far with Chelsea he has 48 appearances with only eight goals.

Gary Speed

The loss of Gary Speed during 2011 was a horrible loss for the world of football. The Welshman was a Premier League legend, and played for Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton making over 400 appearances in the English top flight.

Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill will go down as Everton's greatest Australian to date in the English Premier League. The Socceroo had been the life's blood of the Toffees in many ways since 2004 and his eight year career at Goodison Park was one for the books.

In 226 appearances the attacking midfielder scored 56 goals and provided 29 assists for the David Moyes side.

Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand has been a stalwart from Sir Alex Ferguson's side since he joined from Leeds in 2002.

Ferdinand remains the most expensive defender in the history of English football and has made 451 appearances between West Ham United, Leeds United and the Red Devils so far in his career.

Shay Given

A legend in the history of Newcastle United during the English Premier League, Shay Given has been one of the top keepers of the EPL Era. Having since played also for Manchester City and now Aston Villa, the Irishman continues to soldier on in his career at the age of 36.

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry is Mr. Consistency as far as his career goes. He has made a name for himself by working hard every game and going out and getting his job done on the pitch.

He has made no less than 30 appearances a season since his inaugural campaign with Aston Villa in 1997-98. Since then he has made a total of 466 appearances between his 365 for Villa and 101 at Manchester City. His combined goal haul rests at 46.

Sol Campbell

Loved and loathed for his North London switch from Tottenham to Arsenal, the skilled defender Sol Campbell made 503 appearances during his English Premier League career.

He played also for Portsmouth and Newcastle United before hanging up his boots in 2011 having played in every single EPL season since its beginning until his retirement.

Robbie Fowler

Robbie Fowler will forever be loved on Merseyside as a Liverpool legend and the talented goal scorer also is revered for his class around the English league.

Fowler still holds the record for the fastest hat-trick in EPL history against Arsenal in 1994 when he scored his treble in just four minutes and 33 seconds.

The striker is currently the fourth all-time leading goal scorer with 163 in 378 appearances.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was the third fastest player to hit 50 goals in the English Premier League as it took him just 68 appearances to do so.

The Manchester United player's time in the EPL was short lived but his 95 goals in only 150 league appearances is unheard of.

Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce is perhaps the greatest Manchester United central defender of the last 25 years under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The now manager of Hull City made his name as a stalwart alongside of Gary Pallister at United.

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas truly broke the hearts of Arsenal fans when he left the club to return to Barcelona.

His senior career at Arsenal from 2003-11 saw him push himself to legendary status with an assist total of 82 in 212 games as well as adding 35 career goals as a Gunner.

Gary Neville

Gary Neville is perhaps the only Manchester United fullback that can challenge, Lee Dixon as being the best to pull on a United kit.

Neville ended his United career with an even 400 EPL appearances, but left with a winners medal haul of 20 as well as five PFA Team of the Year selections and having been named on the Team of the Decade for 2000-10

Edwin Van Der Sar

Edwin van der Sar as mentioned before alongside of Petr Cech holds the record for the most clean sheets in a single season with 21.

The Dutch legend made 313 appearances between Fulham and Manchester United and is one of the greatest shot stoppers in EPL history.

Gianfranco Zola

Italian midfield maestro, Gianfranco Zola played his entire seven year English Premier League career with Chelsea.

He made 229 appearances score 59 goals for the Blues as he helped to six trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Robin Van Persie

Many are still trying to come to grips with seeing Robin Van Persie in a Manchester United Uniform. However, if history is on his side as a Dutch striker at United he should be in for one hell of a goal scoring career at Old Trafford.

His 96 goals in 198 Arsenal appearances almost doesn't tell the story as his ability to drop back and create goals for his teammates also was and is a massive part of his game.

Claude Makelele

When you have the position you play referred to as the (Your Name Here) position, it is not always endearing. However, for former Chelsea defensive midfielder, Claude Mackelele is has become something he has no choice but to be grateful for.

The French international made 144 appearances for Chelsea in the English Premier League, and made his presence so strong that it will forever be on the minds of any EPL debate in the future.

Jamie Carragher

Liverpool's all-time defensive leader of the English Premier League is the always respected, Jamie Carragher.

The defender should reach 500 EPL appearances in the coming 2012-13 season and is the most capped Liverpool player of the Premier League era.

Paolo Di Canio

Italian striker Paolo Di Canio scored 67 goals in 190 matches in the English Premier League between Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Charlton Athletic.

His exploits at West Ham United are perhaps his greatest achievement as the helped the club to a fifth place finish in 1998-99.

Michael Owen

Michael Owen was once thought to become the greatest natural goal scorer in English history during his days at Liverpool where he made 216 appearances and scored 118 goals as well as winning the 2001 Ballon d'Or as his greatest personal award.

He left the EPL for a brief time period with Real Madrid before returning t Newcastle United and then moving to Manchester United, but his best years all took place at Liverpool.

John Terry

John Terry has spent his entire career on the Chelsea defensive line, and continues to be the ever present leader for the Blues.

With 373 appearances for the club since 1998 and countless massive defensive plays, Terry will forever be a Stamford Bridge hero.

Ashley Cole

Chelsea defender, Ashley Cole is perhaps the greatest leftback in the history of England, as well as the English Premier League.

His career between Arsenal and Chelsea has been phenomenal and even into his 30's he shows no signs of slowing down.

Andrew Cole

Andrew Cole is the second all-time leading scoring in the English Premier League with 187 goals between six different clubs.

He also holds the joint single season scoring record of 42 goals with fellow former Newcastle United player Alan Shearer.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is the youngest player in the top ten goal scorers charts of the English Premier League with 144 at only the age of 26. At his pace he is likely to finish no less than the second all time greatest scorer in the league and still has time to pass Alan Shearer's monumental total of 260 if he continues to average at least 19 per season as he has over the past four years.

He also has a massive amount of assists from far in his career, and will likely finish very high in that all time chart as well.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo made 196 appearances for Manchester United in the English Premier League, scoring 84 goals before his move to Real Madrid in 2009.

The Portuguese starlet will be a fan favorite for years to come despite leaving the club to the agony of his fans.

David Seaman

David Seaman is the greatest Aresnal keeper in English Premier League history, and the club truly wishes they could have another shot stopper like the pony tailed Englishman.

Tony Adams

Tony Adams is perhaps the greatest defender in the English Premier League era so far. The Arsenal legend was a master of his craft.

Out of his 504 career Arsenal matches, 255 were in the EPL and even though it was the later stages of his career, he continued to be world class until the day he retired.

David Beckham

There is truly no more famous footballer on the planet than former Manchester United star, David Beckham. His ability on the ball and from set pieces still is a marvel to this day.

Beckham was part of 15 medal winning teams, and scored 62 goals in 260 appearances in the EPL for United.

Roy Keane

Manchester United hard man, Roy Keane was part of a dying breed of player during his days in the English Premier League.

He made 366 career appearances int he EPL and scored 39 goals out of the midfield where he bossed United and his opponents for 14 seasons.

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba spent eight years with Chelsea football club, and was nothing if not a master of big moment occasions.

His EPL career for the Blues consisted of 226 appearances with 100 goals and 54 assists to his name.

Patrick Viera

Patrick Viera retired as a member of Manchester City, but it is the time he spent at Arsenal from 1996-2005 that which he will be remembered for in the English Premier League.

A total of 307 appearances and 32 goals from the back line, proved over time that he was more than worthy of being labeled one of the greatest in the EPL's history.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is the most prolific scoring midfielder in English Premier League history. The talented sniper from the midfield is still continuing to prove he is worthy of a first team place at Chelsea despite being 34 years old.

Between West Ham United and Chelsea Lampard is fifth all time on the scoring charts for the league with 152, and only 12 away from passing Robbie Fowler.

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona's five years at Manchester United were the longest amount of time he ever remained at a certain club in his history.

The Red Devil's benefited from the amazing player that he was in that time period as he made 143 appearances, scoring 63 goals for the Red Devils.

Peter Schmeichel

Seven of Peter Schmeichel's eight seasons with Manchester United were in the English Premier League were he made 252 appearances before making 29 appearances for both Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Schmeichel was also the first goalkeeper to score a goal in the EPL during the 2001 season.

Paul Scholes

Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes continues to keep pushing for more out of his Manchester United career. Despite attempting to retire at the beginning of the 2011-12 season, there was no way he staying away for long.

Scholes career has seen him make 484 appearances scoring 106 EPL goals for the Red Devils.

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool's "captain fantastic," is the definition of an all-around midfielder. He can run, pass, shoot, tackle and lead all in one.

He is not going anywhere any time soon and looks set to see out his career in all Red. So far Gerrard has made 406 appearances for the Reds with 89 goals to show for his efforts.

Dennis Bergkamp

Dutch born attacking midfielder and center forward, Dennis Bergkamp is almost the most loved Arsenal hero on the top 100 listing.

Begrkamp made 315 appearances for the Gunners scoring 87 goals.

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry is in a class all to himself—the highest-scoring foreigner in the history of the league, with 176 goals from only eight seasons in the English Premier League.

Henry's appearance total was only 254 for his goal haul, and he also bagged 77 career assists.

Alan Shearer

Although Thierry Henry has a class to his own, so does Newcastle United and all-time leading goal scorer Alan Shearer.

While Henry is second with 174 goals, Shearer sits in first with nearly double that, at 261 in his career between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Ryan Giggs

A Manchester United legend, Ryan Giggs is the greatest English Premier League hero of them all. Even at the age of 38 he continues to keep forcing his name into the starting XI for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Giggs is also the most decorated footballer in the history of Manchester United and the EPL as a whole—he has been part of 32 trophy-winning sides in this complete career.