In brief
The best English players of the Premier League era were ranked by Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.
The MOTD commentators disagree on the final order and have differing views on the best English players.
The players on the shortlist included Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and Steven Gerrard.
Over the years, there have been many outstanding English players in the Premier League. Given that it’s the English top league, it makes sense, however it’s important to note that since the division’s founding in 1992, some genuinely outstanding local players have graced it. Among those celebrities are Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
In his own words, Richards emerged as a very promising young player after winning a Premier League championship with Manchester City. The former full-back had a strong time in the division, even though his career didn’t end up with the success that many had hoped for. In contrast, Shearer is among the greatest strikers in English football history. With 260 goals to his credit, he remains the all-time top scorer. He took the league by storm during his time with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, hitting goals for joy.
Together with Gary Lineker, they have a wealth of knowledge regarding outstanding English talent, and on the Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast, they listed their top ten Premier League-era English players. These are their listings.
Shearer’s Top 10 English Players in Premier League History
The striker ranked himself 10th
Shearer quickly placed himself last after being given a shortlist of ten English players to rank. Although it’s an unexpected display of humility, the Newcastle great said, “I’m putting myself 10th for obvious reasons in order to avoid any criticism from Richards or Lineker.” I refuse to put up with the abuse.
“Best left-back we’ve had in our country” is how Shearer described Ashley Cole, who finished just ahead of him in eighth place. Disagreement is difficult. On the left flank, the former Chelsea and Arsenal player was a formidable opponent. Shearer then put two of England’s top scorers, Harry Kane at number seven and Michael Owen at number eight. For a while, it appeared as though the former Tottenham Hotspur player would surpass Shearer in league goals scored, but his transfer to Bayern Munich means that it’s safe—for the time being, anyhow.
The next highest-ranking defender on the list was John Terry. The former Chelsea player had a successful career at Stamford Bridge and was a trustworthy team captain who helped the team win multiple titles. Beckham, whose Premier League legacy might have been even more remarkable had he not left Manchester United for Real Madrid in 2003, was Shearer’s next pick at number five.
Shearer then ranked Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard in that order to provide his opinion on the subject. The former Chelsea player was ranked number four, followed by the legendary United player in second place and the former Liverpool captain in third. One more Red Devils legend stood in front of him. The former striker selected Wayne Rooney as his all-time favorite English Premier League player, praising his tenacity and versatility on the field.
“Throughout the entire game, he was vying for the ball. His attitude was amazing, and his technical skills were excellent. He would be the best player if you played him on the right wing. He also did that duty in midfield. Simply put, a fantastic player with outstanding numbers.
It is difficult to dispute Shearer’s choice to place Rooney at the top of the list given that he is United’s all-time best scorer and among England’s all-time top scorers. He was one of the finest players the nation has ever had, and it’s unsettling to consider how many goals he may have scored if he hadn’t switched back to midfield in his final years.
The Top 10 English Premier League Players by Alan Shearer
Place
The player
Clubs
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Titles
10.
Shearer, Alan
Newcastle University and Blackburn Rovers
441
260
64
One
9.
Ashley Cole
Chelsea and Arsenal
385
15.
31
3.
8.
Michael Owen
Stoke City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Liverpool
326
150
31
One
7.
Kane, Harry
Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur
320
213
46
0
6.
Terry, John
Chelsea
492
41
Twelve
5.
5.
Beckham, David
United Manchester
265
62
80
6.
4.
Lampard, Frank
Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham
609.
177
102
3.
3.
Gerrard, Steven
Liverpool
504
120
92
0
2.
Paul Scholes
United Manchester
499
107
55
11.
1.
Wayne Rooney
Everton, Manchester United
491
208
103
5.
Richards’ Top 10 English Players in Premier League History
The former defender didn’t have Rooney in his top two
Shearer’s list differs greatly from Richards’. He does not have his Match of the Day companion in 10th place, to start. Rather, he chose Kane for that position, claiming that his lack of trophies damages his case compared to the other people on the list, asking, “What’s he won?”
Like his fellow commentator, Richards has Cole in ninth place, followed by Beckham. The former City guy was direct in his rationale, implying that everyone before him was just superior, even though it may come as a surprise.
“The players in front of him were better footballers.”
Terry was chosen in seventh place by Richards, who praised his ability to always stay healthy and available for his sides, particularly Aston Villa in the latter stages of his career. “He was always fit, wasn’t he?” he observed about the Chelsea hero. even when he finally made it to Aston Villa.”
Richards selected Michael Owen in sixth place. He commended the former Liverpool player’s finishing skills and how they carried over into his career, as well as his ability to get behind opposing defenses. Scholes came in fourth, followed by Lampard in fifth place. Even though the former United player was a legend at Old Trafford, the analyst doubted that he could duplicate Gerrard’s success at Liverpool.
“Could Scholes do what Gerrard did at Liverpool?”
Richards put Rooney third, while Shearer had him first. He explained that he had higher expectations for the former Everton player, saying: “I just think he could have been even better with Rooney.” He was unquestionably one of the top players when you practiced with him in England. I believed he would have reached the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The former City player, who finished in second place, praised Shearer for sticking with Newcastle and picking the team over Manchester United. Additionally, he emphasized the former striker’s 260 goals, which is an incredible amount given that he only won the league once. He concluded the list by naming Gerrard the best English Premier League player of all time, emphasizing his impact on a Liverpool team that was elevated because to his presence.
“He single-handedly pulled Liverpool through in a Champions League final.”
The Top 10 English Premier League Players by Micah Richards
Place
The player
Clubs
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Titles
10.
Kane, Harry
Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur
320
213
46
0
9.
Ashley Cole
Chelsea and Arsenal
385
15.
31
3.
8.
Beckham, David
United Manchester
265
62
80
6.
7.
Terry, John
Chelsea
492
41
Twelve
5.
6.
Michael Owen
Stoke City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Liverpool
326
150
31
One
5.
Lampard, Frank
Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham United
609.
177
102
3.
4.
Scholes, Paul
United Manchester
499
107
55
11.
3.
Rooney, Wayne
Manchester United and Everton
491
208
103
5.
2.
Shearer, Alan
Newcastle University and Blackburn Rovers
441
260
64
One
1.
Gerrard, Steven
Liverpool
504
120
92
0
Pictures of the Premier League’s best English players
Since both men couldn’t agree on who should win, it came down to Lineker’s decision. He sided with Shearer and gave the title to Rooney because of his success in the Premier League and the sheer quantity of trophies he had won.
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