All Time Premiership XI …from a Leeds fan!
It’s been almost 20 years since the ‘Premiership’ as it was then called first kicked off in 1992. Some truly wonderful players have graced the world’s elite league, here is my all time XI.
GK - Peter Schmeichel
A close call between Schmeichel and David Seaman, but the Dane gets the nod. The two outstanding goalkeepers over the years, Schmeichel’s five league wins tipped it for me.
RB – Gary Neville
Although it pains me a little bit to write his name, hats off to Gary Neville. Neville played in seventeen of nineteen campaigns until his retirement at the end of last season, notching up over 400 appearances in the process. A brilliant right back who, apart from the tail end of his career, was remarkably consistent.
CB – Tony Adams (c)
The best English centre back of my lifetime, Adams was also talismanic as the captain of the Gunners. A Premier league winner twice, and runner up three times, Adams was a fantastic example of an ‘old fashioned’ centre half.
CB – Sol Campbell
Campbell made his name at Tottenham Hostpur, before making the very bold move to North London rivals Arsenal, where he went on to win two titles. Campbell continued his Premier League career with three seasons at Portsmouth, before making his bow at Newcastle. For the best part of his career, Campbell was world-class.
CB - Patrice Evra
There were only two candidates for this spot, Evra marginally beat Ashley Cole on the basis that he’s been more consistent. Ashley Cole was brilliant at Arsenal, but his performances at Chelsea haven’t always matched that. Evra, on the other hand has been brilliant throughout and shows no signs of slowing down. He’ll be looking to add to his four domestic titles in England.
RM – Cristiano Ronaldo
An easy choice. Arguably the best player in the world, Ronaldo spent six seasons in the English Premier League, scoring 84 goals during his time here. Since his move to Real Madrid, Ronaldo has managed an incredible 87 goals in two and half seasons. Ronaldo tore defences apart time and time again with his strength and flair.
LM – Ryan Giggs
No explanation necessary.
CM – Paul Scholes
A true footballing genius, Scholes has made over 450 Premier League appearances and has been an ever-present during Manchester United’s dominance of English football. Xavi stated last year that Scholes was a ‘reference point’ for any modern footballer. High praise indeed, but no more than he deserves. Ten winner’s medals shows his class, and at 37 years of age, he’s after number eleven.
CM – Frank Lampard
Since Lampard signed from West Ham in 2001, he has gone on to become one of the greatest midfielders in the world. Often criticised unfairly, Lampard has scored 124 goals, provided 90 assists, won three Premier League titles and came runner up to Ronaldinho in 2005′s Ballon d’Or. If you need convincing any more, read this.
ST – Thierry Henry
Blessed with outstanding technical ability and a lethal finish, Thierry Henry is perhaps the finest individual player I’ve seen play in the Premier League. He scored 174 goals over eight seasons and picked up two league titles. Arsenal love him that much, they built a statue of him outside The Emirates Stadium, which brought Henry to tears.
ST – Eric Cantona
Cantona beat the likes of Alan Shearer, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy to claim the final spot in my Premier League XI. Cantona was a brilliant footballer who could win any game. He spent five seasons at Old Trafford, winning four titles and scoring 64 goals. Furthermore, “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea”.
Manager - Jose Mourinho
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Ok but how did you pick mourinho over sir alex? that is just mental.
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A self-obsessed individual who had some of the finest attacking talents at his disposal yet churned out a Chelsea side which played such dour and unimaginative football that he ended up losing his job, despite the trophies he brought in. The same is about to happen to him at Real Madrid – yet this is the guy you’d install over the obvious candidate, Sir Alex Ferguson, who has spent years maintaining United’s reputation for playing open attacking football – and won championship after championship doing so? This is also the manager who has always been willing to take a backward step or two in order to rebuild United time after time – Mourinho has NEVER been willing to take such a hit to his reputation or ego in order to do what’s right by a club for its long term future. With him it’s all about the now, about instant results, and the future be damned no matter what it costs the club or his successors.
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WRONG in two places, mourinho is a better manager but Fergie has the history, also Ashley cole is not only better than Evra he is better than him in 99% of games so you have no reason to put Evra there.
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Dan Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Whilst I agree both are exceptional players is anyone else not thinking Denis Irwin?
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Lol on lampard,ar on crack seriously?lampard cud not lace the shoes of the likes of roy kean and viera.evra better than ashly cole what a joke
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Being a MANU fan won’t help. Evra can’t beat Ashley Cole, Lampard can’t beat the likes of Vieira, Steve Gerald en Keane! Besides, u need a complete team, so Scholes en Lampard can’t be defensive midfielders.
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Disagree.
Ahsley cole is a better LB than Evra by miles, in fact there are a few LBs who are better than Evra in my opinion. I think Gerrard is better than Lampard as well. Maybe they are quite equal now but there was a time when gerrard was the best CM in the world, hes pure class. I’d also put Shearer ahead of Cantona although its a tough pick on the striker front. I do agree with Mourinho over Ferguson though
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reckon there should be space for Robert Pires
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