In brief
Since its inception, the Premier League has produced a number of gifted wingers, such as Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, two BBC commentators, were asked to identify the ten greatest wingers of all time.
Although there were some disagreements on who is the best, the two agreed that Salah is the second-greatest winger in Premier League history.
One of the most crucial sections of the football pitch is undoubtedly the wide area. A winger’s duties include providing for their strikers and being clinical in the final third in addition to easily defeating a player. It’s a highly specialised skill set that not everyone can have.
There have been several talented wide players in the Premier League over the years. John Barnes, Eden Hazard, and Mohamed Salah come to mind. Determining the top ten, let alone the top five wingers to have ever set foot in England, is never easy.
On Match of the Day Top 10, well-known BBC commentators Alan Shearer and Mich Richards made the decision to attempt to respond to this query. The former England internationals have already done the same thing with regard to the greatest front threes in history, with Tevez, Ronaldo, and Rooney winning the award along with the greatest midfield pairings in Premier League history.
Alan Shearer’s Top 10 Premier League Wingers of All-time
Cristiano Ronaldo ranks fifth
Starting with former Liverpool winger John Barnes, the Newcastle United great worked his way up from the bottom. Much of his achievements would occur prior to the Premier League’s establishment in 1992. Nevertheless, the Englishman had made 201 appearances in the little more than five years since the league’s founding.
Riyad Mahrez, a former winger for Manchester City and Leicester, then followed him. The Algerian, who has won the Premier League five times, played in 284 games while in England, tallying 82 goals and dishing out 61 assists. Robert Pires, a member of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ squad, was selected by Shearer at number eight. The elusive wide player, who scored 62 goals in 198 league games for the Gunners and Aston Villa, was renowned for his ability to produce in the closing third.
Former Tottenham star Gareth Bale was placed at seven, before putting Sadio Mane in at six. Shearer’s 10-6 list was completed by Mane, who is considered to be among the best African players to play in the Premier League. With Richards, his top five would turn out to be contentious.
When Shearer put Cristiano Ronaldo at number five on his audacious list, Richards was astounded and burst out laughing. The former City defender said:
“Are you watching, guys? Ronaldo is ranked fifth by the BBC’s top commentator! best commentator on the BBC!
“Premier League,” Shearer retorted, alluding to the reality that most of Ronaldo’s greatest accomplishments were at Real Madrid. Lineker chimed in with: “Okay Micah you’ve been quite critical here of Mr Shearer. He will explain why shortly.”
David Beckham took the number four spot on Shearer’s list. The superstar scored free-kicks for fun, played outrageous passes with ease to create numerous goals for his teammates, and helped his side win a multitude of silverware, including six league titles at Manchester United. One of the greatest wide players we have seen in the modern era was Hazard – who ranks third on Shearer’s list, behind Salah.
Ryan Giggs is at the top. The Welshman won trophies for fun at Manchester United. Thirteen Premier League titles, a mammoth 632 appearances and 109 goals. A key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning side in 1999, the Welshman was barely dislodged from his spot until he pulled the curtains down on his playing career in 2014.
“I just think over 600 appearances and 13 Premier League titles, that’s why he’s (Ryan Giggs) number one.”
Shearer’s Best Premier League Wingers Ever
Place
The player
Club(s)
Looks
Objectives
Helps
1.
Ryan Giggs
United Manchester
632
109
162
2.
Salah Mohamed
Chelsea, Liverpool
294
184
86
3.
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
245
85
54
4.
David Beckham
Manchester United
265
62
80
5.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United
236
103
37
6.
Sadio Mane
Southampton, Liverpool
263
111
38
7.
Gareth Bale
Tottenham
163
53
22
8.
Robert Pires
Arsenal, Aston Villa
198
62
41
9.
Riyad Mahrez
Leicester City, Manchester City
284
82
61
10.
John Barnes
Liverpool, Newcastle United
201
28
29
Micah Richards’ Top 10 Premier League Wingers of All-time
The former England international ranks Ronaldo first
Richards chose to start from the bottom with Mahrez, followed by Pires and Barnes, while Shearer had Barnes at number 10. Beckham completed the 10-6 slots on the former defender’s list, while Senegal winger Mane is ranked seventh.
Following that, Richards was asked to provide his final five rankings, placing Ronaldo first, Salah second (matching Shearer’s), and Giggs third. Shearer, in a desperate attempt to win back his own respect, declared: “This is the BBC’s number four pundit.”
When Lineker exclaimed, “Number four?!” the three of them burst out laughing. Following a fist pump between Shearer and Richards, the Newcastle veteran said, “I don’t mean that.”
Shearer noted in his selections that Ronaldo only played in the Premier League for six seasons, and the most of his honours and accomplishments occurred when he was at Real Madrid. Richards explained his top pick as follows:
But wasn’t he occasionally unplayable? Ronaldo must be the most important player.
The Greatest Wingers in Premier League History by Richards
Place
The player
Club or clubs
Looks
Objectives
Helps
1.
Ronaldo Cristiano
United Manchester
236
103
37
2.
Salah Mohamed
Liverpool and Chelsea
294
184
86
3.
Giggs, Ryan
United Manchester
632
109
162
4.
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
245
85
54
5.
Bale, Gareth
Tottenham
166
53
22
6.
Beckham, David
United Manchester
265
62
80
7.
Mane Sadio
Liverpool and Southampton
263
111
38
8.
Barnes, John
Newcastle United and Liverpool
201
28
29
9.
Pires, Robert
Aston Villa and Arsenal
198
62
41
10.
Mahrez Riyad
Manchester City and Leicester City
284
82
61
Top 10 Overall
Shearer’s first choice was accepted by Lineker.
Richards argued that Ronaldo should be ranked first, but Lineker had the last word and declared Giggs to be the greatest winger in Premier League history based on Match of the Day’s rankings.
Ronaldo was third in the top ten, while Salah came in second, behind Giggs. According to the combined rankings of Lineker, Shearer, and Richards, Hazard and Beckham finished fourth and fifth, respectively, rounding out the top five.
Former Tottenham star Bale came in sixth, former Liverpool player Mane came in seventh, and Robert Pires, a great of Arsenal, came in eighth. Barnes came in ninth place and Riyad Mahrez came in tenth place, rounding out the top ten rankings.
The Greatest Premier League Wingers of All Time in Today’s Match
Place
The player
Club or clubs
1.
Giggs, Ryan
United Manchester
2.
Salah Mohamed
Liverpool and Chelsea
3.
Ronaldo Cristiano
United Manchester
4.
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
5.
Beckham, David
United Manchester
6.
Bale, Gareth
Tottenham
7.
Mane Sadio
Liverpool and Southampton
8.
Pires, Robert
Aston Villa and Arsenal
9.
Barnes, John
Newcastle United and Liverpool
10.
Mahrez Riyad
Manchester City and Leicester City
