Top 50 Greatest English Premier League Players: 1992 to 2010
The arrival of the Premier League in 1992 changed English football forever.
Here are, in my humble opinion, the 50 greatest players to have graced the world's greatest league through 18 years of unrelenting drama.
These men have earned a place on this list for a wide variety of reasons. Some for their prolific goal scoring, some for their guile and craft, some for their sheer desire to succeed at all costs.
They came, they played, they entertained.
It's a subjective list, so please submit your suggestions below—and if I've forgotten your favorite player, be sure to let me know.
50. Teddy Sheringham
1 of 50
What he lacked in pace, Teddy made up with superb technique and the workings of a wonderful football brain.
49. Emmanuel Petit
2 of 50
Petit formed a formidable midfield partnership with Patrick Vieira at Arsenal. A fine athlete and a great passer.
48. Ricardo Carvalho
3 of 50
Jose Mourinho's go-to central defender was the perfect foil for John Terry at Chelsea.
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47. Pepe Reina
4 of 50
A four-time Golden Glove winner with Liverpool, Reina has consistently proved his worth between the sticks.
46. Robert Pires
5 of 50
Gifted winger with mesmerizing dribbling ability, who became a cult hero at Arsenal.
45. Dwight Yorke
6 of 50
Yorke's languid style belied his razor-sharp finishing, and his partnership with Andy Cole at Manchester United was at times close to unstoppable.
44. Denis Irwin
7 of 50
Irwin won seven Premier League titles at Manchester United and three FA Cups. A superb full-back who could take a free kick too.
43. Cesc Fabregas
8 of 50
Sublimely gifted attacking midfielder with many years ahead of him. Whether they'll be spent in the Premier League remains to be seen.
42. David James
9 of 50
James has the record for Premier League appearances, and has proved himself a supremely talented stopper over the years.
41. Marcel Desailly
10 of 50
Combative and athletic French international who ruled Stamford Bridge.
40. Gary Pallister
11 of 50
Imposing central defender who formed a title-winning partnership with Steve Bruce at Manchester United.
39. David Ginola
12 of 50
Mercurial Frenchman who thrilled crowds wherever he went and mesmerized defenders with his dribbling.
38. Arjen Robben
13 of 50
On his day, Robben was as devastating as any wide player to have graced the Premier League.
37. Les Ferdinand
14 of 50
Ferdinand bagged 149 EPL goals with QPR, Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester City, and Bolton.
36. Nemanja Vidic
15 of 50
Uncompromising Serbian rock in the present-day Manchester United defense.
35. Lee Dixon
16 of 50
A stalwart of Arsenal's supremely organized and effective defense in the 1990s.
34. Edwin Van Der Sar
17 of 50
Composed Dutch goalkeeper on deck for a new wave of success at Manchester United.
33. Matthew Le Tissier
18 of 50
One of the most gifted players the EPL has seen, what Le Tissier lacked in consistency he made up for in truly great goals and moments of inspiration.
32. Ian Wright
19 of 50
Natural goalscorer with a tireless work ethic who made himself an Arsenal legend.
31. Michael Essien
20 of 50
The archetypal holding midfielder, Essien has been hugely influential in Chelsea's resurgence.
30. Gary Neville
21 of 50
One-club defender who helped build a new era of success at Manchester United.
29. Gianfranco Zola
22 of 50
Arguably one the greatest players ever to grace Stamford Bridge, Zola played himself into Chelsea folklore in seven seasons sprinkled with genius.
28. Fernando Torres
23 of 50
Devastating forward who has scored 57 times in just 82 EPL appearances at Liverpool
27. Gary Speed
24 of 50
Via Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, and Bolton, Speed amassed a remarkable 535 EPL appearances.
26. Sol Campbell
25 of 50
Dominant defender who made the move from Spurs to Arsenal and won two EPL titles
25. Robbie Fowler
26 of 50
Prolific striker and Liverpool cult hero, Fowler scored 163 EPL goals.
24. Didier Drogba
27 of 50
Powerful and direct striker, equally content as a lone gun or playing with a partner.
23. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
28 of 50
Dutch predator who bagged 95 EPL goals in 150 appearances for Manchester United.
22. Steve Bruce
29 of 50
Ball-playing defender who scored vital goals and helped bring success back to Manchester United.
21. Michael Owen
30 of 50
Searing pace and instinctive finishing puts Owen at the top table of EPL strikers.
20. John Terry
31 of 50
Chelsea rock whose ferocious passion and drive have propelled the club he loves to EPL success.
19. Jamie Carragher
32 of 50
Liverpool to the core, Carragher has been a defensive rock at Anfield.
18. Ashley Cole
33 of 50
Rampaging full-back who found success at Arsenal and Chelsea.
17. Dennis Bergkamp
34 of 50
Supremely gifted Dutch striker with a penchant for the spectacular.
16. Andy Cole
35 of 50
He might have missed a few along the way, but 187 EPL goals says it all. Cole knew where the net was.
15. Tony Adams
36 of 50
Kitchen sink defender and lionhearted competitor who helped Arsenal to EPL success in the early 90s.
14. David Beckham
37 of 50
Brilliant ball striker and dead ball specialist, who played his part in building a dynasty at Manchester United.
13. Cristiano Ronaldo
38 of 50
Took a while to settle in at United, but it was worth the wait.
12. David Seaman
39 of 50
Legendary Arsenal goalkeeper and ponytail wearer.
11. Roy Keane
40 of 50
Rampaging midfielder who went to war every time he stepped on the field.
10. Frank Lampard
41 of 50
Barnstorming all-around midfielder with an eye for goal.
9. Wayne Rooney
42 of 50
Fabulously gifted striker who can do it all. Two feet, genuine pace, and ruthless in front of goal.
8. Patrick Vieira
43 of 50
Dominant World Cup-winning midfielder who set the tone for Arsenal.
7. Paul Scholes
44 of 50
Arguably one of the most consistent performers in EPL history. Still scoring goals and dictating the midfield for Manchester United.
6. Eric Cantona
45 of 50
Mercurial Frenchman who arrived at Old Trafford for £1 million and inspired his teammates to success.
5. Alan Shearer
46 of 50
All-time EPL top scorer with 260 goals, Shearer could score from almost anywhere.
4. Peter Schmeichel
47 of 50
Great Dane who kept guard as Manchester United went about winning everything.
3. Steven Gerrard
48 of 50
The term '"all-around player" was seemingly invented for Stevie Gee, who's pretty much got it all.
2. Thierry Henry
49 of 50
Pace, guile, genius footballing brain. At his best, Henry destroyed defenses and made it look effortless.
1. Ryan Giggs
50 of 50
Giggs entered the EPL as an electric winger drawing comparison to George Best. Nearly two decades on, the 36-year-old has reinvented himself as a playmaker in central midfield. The 2009 PFA Player of the Year has won 11 EPL titles, four FA Cups, and two Champions League titles. Not a bad haul.
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