The 50 Greatest Premier League players EVER

[moomba]

yeah, as opposed to Kun playing centre midfield in the Bernabeu lol

Probably why I didnt jump into a post about Didier Drogba and proclaim Kun the ultimate big game performer.

But I'm happy enough he's a blue to be desperately screaming his name from the rooftops to other supporters.

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

I clearly mentioned the Rash in jest.

 

[moomba]

And I clearly took the piss out of your post in jest.

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

And I clearly took the piss out of your post in jest.

I've got a really short fuse atm for some reason. Is it muggy up North atm? Too many ****ing sleepness nights. Apologies.

 

[moomba]

In North Wales at the moment. In a tepee avoiding the sunshine drinking a cold beer. Looking English with a combo pale white and lobster red skin.

Things have been worse.

 

[Cruyff14]

On Van Nistelrooy and Drogba - I agreed on that order also.

I guess Drogba stuck around longer which sorta gives him an advantage in my book, and as mentioned, his record in big games was phenomenal.

RvN obviously has a better goals to game ratio, but I guess that's because he was a more pure striker than Drogba.

End of the day they are bloody hard to split, but it's Drogba for me - that is no slight on Van Nistelrooy however.

In terms of finishing though, Van Nistelrooy is streets ahead.

 

[Cruyff14]

17 Matt Le Tissier
Southampton (*1986-2002; 443 apps, 161 goals)
*includes First Division

Le Tissier remained fiercely loyal to Southampton in his 16 years spent at the club. Making 443 appearances, and scoring 161 goals over across the old First Division and the Premier League. Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United were all interest at various points, but Le Tissier remained loyal and remained a one club man.

His highest scoring season saw him yield 25 goals in 93-94, where he also won goal of the season, which was an audacious 40 yard chip against Blackburn. Another impressive goal haul came the following season, with 20 goals in 41 games. His goal scoring exploits were one of the main reasons Southampton survived football in the top flight. In the first seven seasons of the Premier League, Southampton came close to relegation five times. In 2000, he became the first midfielder to reach 100 goals, and only the sixth player at the time.

Le Tissier's record from the penalty spot was phenomenal - scoring 47 of 48 attempts.

He was widely regarded as one of the most talented English players of all time. Technically gifted, who wasn't afraid to shoot, and could definitely score. He was a great dribbler, with a great long range shot, and very good vision - which also allowed him to assist those around him. While not the fastest of players, or a workhorse, his excellent technique and intelligence allowed him to coast past players with skill and feints.

 

[jd2010]

Did Le Tissier get an England cap?

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

Did Le Tissier get an England cap?

yep.

 

[Cruyff14]

Not many though.

 

[FAITH]

 

[Cruyff14]

The guy couldn't score a shit goal if you paid him.

 

[Fryer Tuck]

Did Le Tissier get an England cap?

8 of them. But apparantly England's formation didn't allow for his place, and with the reputation of him being a bit on the slack side, combined with being a flair player, and playing for Soton, I guess you can see why. Then again, he was extremely good at penalties... maybe he could've taken England further if he was around?

But you've got to give full props to the guy. Very talented and well rounded player. A very nice pick for this list, which has been a joy to read so far.

 

[WealstoneRaider]

16 Peter Schmeichel
Manchester United (1991-1999; app 292 - includes 1st Div appearances)
Aston Villa (2001/02; app 29)
Manchester City (2002/03; app 29)



At number 16 we find the Great Dane, Peter Schmeichel, unquestionably the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history.

Every great team needs a great goalkeeper. Rarely, if ever, can a team taste sustained success without one. Schmeichel was the foundation that Fergies first great team was built on. And he remained so right up to the clubs greatest triumph in 1999 when they secured the treble.

Schmeichel was more than just a great keeper. He was a leader, a motivator and inspiration. How much confidence would it give you knowing he was between the sticks behind you? The man was not adverse to berating his own defence when errors occurred though. No one was safe, not even his captain.

Perhaps the one thing that pushed him over and above his rivals was his extraordinary ability with his throw-out which would set Uniteds flying wingers on quick counter-attacks. His distribution had to be the best I've ever seen for a keeper. His ability to make miraculous saves was also right up with the best of them.

Schmeichel went out in a high at United, winning the CL in his last match. There was nothing else left for him to prove. Two more brief spells at Villa and City followed, but by then he was past his prime.

 

[FAITH]

bit stiff, would have had him in the top 10 tbh

 

[jd2010]

bit stiff, would have had him in the top 10 tbh

Yeah best Gk should get close or into the top 10 for me too

 

[WealstoneRaider]

Very hard to rank him above any of the next 15 though... trust me!

 

[jd2010]

It's always hard for full backs and GKs to win awards or top lists.

 

[FAITH]

Very hard to rank him above any of the next 15 though... trust me!

easily above Keane

 

[WealstoneRaider]

easily above Keane

You reckon? Think you'd be in the minority on that one...

 

[elhadjihenry]

Trying to figure out who is left:

Henry, Shearer, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes, Vieira, Lampard, Gerrard, Bergkamp, Terry, Vidic, Keane, Cantona, Ian Wright, Zola?

 

[FAITH]

You reckon? Think you'd be in the minority on that one...

Yorke is also a bit stiff not to make 50

 

[WealstoneRaider]

Trying to figure out who is left:

Henry, Shearer, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes, Vieira, Lampard, Gerrard, Bergkamp, Terry, Vidic, Keane, Cantona, Ian Wright, Zola?

One big omission there - but stop trying to ruin it lol!

 

[WealstoneRaider]

Yorke is also a bit stiff not to make 50

How do you know he's not made it. He could be up next...

 

[ADL9798]

Did Le Tissier get an England cap?

Only 8. For 2 reasons:

1. 4-4-2

England played a 4-4-2 formation and Le Tissier was more of a floating #10/winger/forward/midfielder which in those days was something of a rarity. Talent in spades but with no set position and questionable defensive work rate it was difficult to shoehorn him into the team. The 'free roaming' nature of his role is also why I think there's a bit of an asterisk over his 'first midfielder in the PL to score 100 goals' tag - he wasn't really a midfielder, he wasn't really anything, he played the 'Le Tissier' role at Southampton and they built that team around him, minimizing his defensive responsibilities and giving him the perfect platform to display his talents. I suppose that role just didn't exist in what was to be fair a bloody good England side under Robson and Venables (not so much under Taylor!).​

2. Barnes, Beardsley, Hoddle, Waddle, Gascoigne, McManaman

He had pretty stiff competition for those attacking midfield/wing spots through the late 80s-mid 90s. On the occasions he did make the England squad, it's easy to see why he'd struggle to get a game given the quality of those 6. Having said that, I remember the Euro 96 Anderton over Le Tissier selection causing a lot of drama at the time and thinking it was bizarre that he wasn't selected for the 98 World Cup squad.​