Okay, so everyone I have mentioned have been of recent years but let’s cast our minds back a little and talk about the pint-sized Italian Gianfranco Zola. The two time player of the year played some mesmerising football in his seven years at Stamford Bridge, but never quite managed to win England’s top prize, but on the bright side he is still one of the greatest footballs to grace the Premiership.
Sticking with years gone by, what about the former Newcastle pair David Ginola and Paul Gascoigne? The Frenchman came close to winning the title with the Magpies in the 95/96 (the year of Kevin Keegan meltdowns.) He did win the League Cup with Spurs where he also won the PFA Players Player of the year and the Football Writers Player of the Year! But even with all that skill and beautiful hair, the Premier League title managed to elude him.
Now! Where do you start with Gascoigne? He did win two league titles with Rangers but they don’t compare or even count on this list, or at all? Gazza himself, though, will always be remembered for sublime talent, character and unfortunately his troubles. The former Sports Personality of the Year rightfully deserves his place on this list and looking back if he had not had that last minute change of heart he probably wouldn’t be on this list as he would have joined Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford!
I seem to have focused largely on outfield players but let’s finish with the men that guard the net; and the one goalkeeper that stands out for me of deserving a winners’ medal is Brad Friedel. A man who has been a terrific servant for all the clubs he has played for, making fantastic saves week in week out! Even at the ripe old age of 41, Friedel is still producing his best form for Tottenham and even holds the record for the most consecutive league appearances (301) not bad at all for a man who is no spring chicken anymore. Unfortunately even the fantastic work being done at Spurs, under Redknapp, still doesn’t seem enough to bring the accolade to this amazing goalkeeper!
Now just briefly we have Tim Cahill, Javier Mascherano, Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane and I am going to put Joe Hart on here for now because there is a long way to go until the season end! I am not claiming I have included the best of the best or that I have not left anyone out (not that it is a list any player would really want to be on!) Having said that I do urge you to add your suggestions!
Let the debate begin..!
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robbie fowler should be in the list, at his best he is best finisher the premier league ever got.. along wt fowler, macca was just terrific during his 9-10 years spent at liverpool, if im not mistaken he still holds the record of the most numb of assists in liverpool history. the list goes on and on for liverpool with all these great players who hav played for the club down the years, the likes of didi hamann, pepe reina, sami, finann..
Djimi Traore
Agree with Fowler that is an excellent one! I didn’t even think but the rest I just didn’t want to sound to biased with a major Liverpool list!
I presume by premier league you mean Englands top division then you can’t miss my favourite player Paul Gascoigne, he might spend his days now delivering lager and chicken to armed nut jobs but in his peak you couldn’t touch him for skill, what a waste