Premier League: Picking a British and Irish Lions Team from the Top Flight

Karl MatchettJun 1, 2018

For those football fans interested in other sports as well, it might not have escaped their attentions that the world of rugby is currently enjoying the "British and Irish Lions" tour.

This is a collection of the finest international players from the home nations: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

We get to see no such site in football, with the Olympics in London of 2012 the closest we're likely to come to it. Unfortunately, national association disagreements and under-age regulations meant a real "best of the best" compilation was even then not forthcoming.

So who would make a Premier League-based British and Irish Lions of football?

The only prerequisites for inclusion are that the players continue to be available for international representation at present and play in the top flight in England. Two players for each position are to be named for a total of 22 players, with a starting XI selected at the end.

Who would make your squad? Do you agree with the selections made?

Honourable Mentions

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With only 22 players out of the whole Premier League being selected, there are, of course, a few notable names who will miss out.

Here, we take note of one player from each home nation who failed to make the cut:

Northern Ireland did not have too many players of a quality who would be expected to break into a select squad, but West Brom attacking midfielder Chris Brunt has proved himself to be a more than capable Premier League player. Versatile and possessed of excellent passing and crossing skills, Brunt can play right the way across an attacking midfield line.

Wales central midfielder Aaron Ramsey had plenty of competition for his role, and another few years down the line he might be expected to be included in the squad. However, his form over the past couple of seasons has been haphazard and inconsistent, so he narrowly missed out.

Scotland have another representative from West Brom, in attacking midfielder James Morrison. Again, he can play the width of the pitch in attacking midfield roles, but he is best deployed just off the forward where his movement and good first touch can be of greatest effect.

Republic of Ireland are classified separately in football—in the rugby Lions team, Irish players come from both the north and south. Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane are established international players but, playing outside of the Premier League, do not come under consideration, so central defender John O'Shea, as a recognised top-flight player, is the player to narrowly miss out here.

England could have a range of players who could be named; as the country in which most English players play, there are naturally more English players to choose from. The player with the most international caps not included in the 22 is Frank Lampard, so he is England's nominated honourable mention.

Goalkeepers

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Joe Hart did not have the best season, but he remains by far the best goalkeeper of the Premier League with regards to the home nation's individuals.

The Manchester City stopper is first-choice for club and country.

No other first-choice stopper for the other national teams play in the Premier League, leaving us with a selection of backups to choose from.

Form, changing minds on international retirement and loss of place at club level can change matters frequently, but Alex McCarthy is perhaps the best of the rest at present.

Full-Backs

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The first non-Englishman will come at right-back, where an all-Merseyside battle sees Liverpool's Glen Johnson come up against Everton's Seamus Coleman.

Both are regulars at international level for England and Ireland respectively.

Over the coming years, the England man will be severely challenged by a number of younger players, but for now he rules the position.

On the opposite side, Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole are clear favourites.

Central Defenders

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A clean sweep for England here, with Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Joleon Lescott the four primary candidates.

Cahill and Lescott play for title-chasing teams, despite not always being first pick at their clubs. They are both experienced and capable defenders who hold their own at international level.

Phil Jones and Phil Jagielka are excellent technical defenders, strong and reliable, though both have their limitations too.

Central Midfielders

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The past and the future of England's midfield meet in the present team, with Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere the two stand-out talents of the national side.

The Republic of Ireland's James McCarthy is a gifted and tenacious option to make the squad too, along with Wales' first representative, Joe Allen. Both players had campaigns split in two last season, Allen starting strongly and tailing off, with McCarthy performing the opposite way around.

Both are worthy members of the side in midfield.

Wide Midfielders

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Gareth Bale is Wales' second representative, one of the top players in the Premier League. Tottenham's wide man takes one of the spots for the wing roles, with rival club Arsenal providing two more: Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

There's a battle between plenty of players for the final spot, but Tottenham's Aaron Lennon has proved himself to be effective at Premier League level and takes the place.

Forwards

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In years gone by, Wales and Scotland had some of the finest strikers in Europe, but the days of Denis Law, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes or Kenny Dalglish have long gone. The modern-day forwards for both are simply incomparable in terms of real quality.

England's attack is not exactly world-class in terms of depth either, but Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe and Daniel Sturridge are all proven Premier League class and can yet have plenty more impact on the international stage.

They are joined by the final Republic of Ireland entrant, Shane Long, who makes up the 22.