So much of football is about debate. Every week, Premier League pundits and fans alike discuss which team deserved to win what and if one player is better than another.
The Steven Gerrard vs Frank Lampard vs Paul Scholes question has sustained many a conversation in English football for decades. Similarly, fans still get emotional when they argue about preferring Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
With that in mind, it’s always interesting when a consensus can be found on subjective topics. Aiming to do so recently, a collection of journalists came together for FourFourTwo in an attempt to rank the 100 best Premier League footballers of all time.
Here is what they came up with.
100-81
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kicks off the list
Man United icon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just about squeezes in here. He was best known for his goalscoring as a supersub, scoring 17 times of the bench for the Red Devils. Peter Crouch only scored one fewer goal as a substitute in the Premier League and he also makes the cut.
Raheem Sterling is the only currently active player on the list, serving as a reminder of his long-standing quality. FourFourTwo wrote:
“We suspect history will be kinder to Sterling than the current view of him. This was a guy who reinvented himself, became key to Pep Guardiola and became the first player to appear for four separate Premier League sides in Europe.
“One of the finest English talents of a generation: he definitely lived up to the hype he showed as a wonderkid.”
Iconic names like Sadio Mane, Luka Modric, Matt Le Tissier, and Robin van Persie are included here. Perhaps the most rogue inclusion of the entire list, however, is Brad Friedal at 65th.
His high placing comes as a shock, especially when he ranks in ahead of legendary Premier League goalkeepers David de Gea, Joe Hart, and Ederson. FourFourTwo explained the call, noting:
“The American stopper holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances. Between August 2004 and October 2012, Friedel played 310 straight matches – comprising eight years, six managers and three clubs.
And Friedel even bagged a 90th-minute equaliser for Blackburn against Charlton Athletic in February 2004… only for the Addicks to net an even later winner to take the spoils 3-2. A fine leader, communicator and goalkeeper.”
80-61
Brad Friedal ranked above David de Gea, Joe Hart, and Ederson
60-41
Trent Alexander-Arnold 43rd
Trent Alexander-Arnold might not be a Premier League player for much longer, but he has already done enough to secure his status as an all-time great with Liverpool. This section seems reserved for brilliant English right-backs, with Kyle Walker, Gary Neville, and James Milner (although predominantly a midfielder) also making the cut. On Neville’s inclusion, they justified:
“Younger generations recognise the straight-talking pundit, but those who watched G-Nev play will recall his days as a boisterous right-back over almost 20 years at United. His intelligence, tough tackling and top-notch crossing made him an Old Trafford mainstay, even as his manager rebuilt several title-winning sides.”
40-21
Erling Haaland ranked 27th
Five currently active Premier League players fit into this section: Son Heung-min, Alisson, Jamie Vardy, Erling Haaland, and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Of the lot, is perhaps most impressive that Vardy makes the cut. Having come through non-league football, his place is well deserved, however, as his goals fired Leicester City to that unrivalled shock title triumph in 2016.
There was high praise for the likes of true entertainers Dennis Bergkamp and Eden Hazard, while they wrote about Liverpool icon Luis Suarez:
“He was a one-man wrecking ball. A lethal hitman who would right royally take the mickey out of you in the process. See diving at David Moyes’ feet. See the audacity of his long-range efforts. See his one-man demolitions.”
20-1
Thierry Henry named the greatest Premier League player of all time
David Beckham’s inclusion in the top 20 is a good reminder of his quality, when he is so often remembered for his fame above any other achievement. Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are the only current Premier League players, alongside Kevin De Bruyne, to make the cut.
The diciosn’s all-time topscorer Alan Shearer squeezes into the top four, joining Man United icons Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the number one ranking went to Arsenal hero Thierry Henry. Mark White explained why he is the greatest Premier League player of all time:
“No one has won the Golden Boot more times. No one assisted more in a season. No one has terrorised defenders with such a combination of bewitching grace and phenomenal power. He was the catalyst in two Premier League titles for Arsenal, carried them on his back during the dark days and lit up English football with his signature swagger.
“And as the years pass by, it’s becoming ever-more relevant. Henry was the yardstick to which we hold all Premier League players – past, present and future – not just in terms of pure numbers but pure entertainment.”
