The Premier League Era XI
Rio Ferdinand or Vincent Kompany? Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard? Thierry Henry or Gianfranco Zola? The Premier League was 25 years old in August 2017, and has been the home of some of the greatest players of the modern era.
We've been absolutely blessed some of the world's greatest talents gracing these shores, and so to celebrate a quarter of a century of the Premier League, using a traditional 4-4-2 formation,
Green Beans has formed the ultimate Premiership dream team, stretching back to the summer of 1992.
Who would make your all-time Premier League XI? Let us know in the comments section below.
Goal Keeper - Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United)
Manchester United signed goal keeper Peter Schmeichel from Brondby - for a little over £500,000 - and some would say this was Alex Ferguson's most significant signing of his era. Big, strong, athletic and reliable, the Danish keeper seemed almost impossible to beat during his peak years from 1994-1999. Without him between the sticks, United may not have won all the titles sitting in their massive trophy cabinet.
Right Back - Gary Neville (Manchester United)
Gary Neville wasn't the strongest or quickest right back in the world, but he was incredibly reliable, and formed a particularly decent partnership with David Beckham on the right flank. His crossing and tackling were his strong-points in a long career which saw him lift numerous trophies.
Centre Back - Tony Adams (Arsenal)
One of England's greatest defenders, Tony Adams played a pivotal role in Arsenal's double winning season of 1998. Alan Shearer described Adams as the toughest defender he'd ever played against, which says a lot. The Arsenal legend could read the back line better than anyone, and although he wasn't the most comfortable player on the ball, he made up for it with his clever defending.
Centre Back - John Terry (Chelsea)
John Terry wasn't the most liked player off the field, but nobody can deny how influential he was on the pitch. Terry was the leader of Mourinho's great Chelsea teams of 2005 and 2006, and he also played a huge role in Chelsea's resurgence in 2010. Terry had pace, strength and bundles of passion.
Left Back - Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
In his prime, Ashley Cole was the best left back in world football, and he played a big role in Chelsea's Premier League success. Cole could turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, with his blistering pace up and down the flank. Cole was perhaps one of the very few players who kept Cristiano Ronaldo in check on more than one occasion.
Right Wing - Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
To score over 40 goals in one season is an incredible achievement, but to score over 40 goals in a season from the right wing goes beyond belief! Ronaldo's last three seasons for United were on another level - he dominated the Premier League before securing his then world record transfer to his beloved Real Madrid. We may never see a player of his talent in the Premier League for a long time.
Defensive Midfield - Roy Keane (Manchester United)
You could make a case for a number of players in this holding midfield role, but winning trophies speaks louder than anything else, and Roy Keane has more medals than any other player who played in his position. Keane is regarded as one of United's best ever captains, and his influence on Ferguson's teams was immense.
Attacking Midfield - Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Paul Scholes is perhaps the most naturally talented Englishman since Paul Gasgoine. He is the greatest passer of the ball the Premier League has ever seen, and who knows what England might have achieved if they used Scholes properly. The ginger genius could pick a pass, control a game and score some terrific goals.
Left Wing - Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
We can hear the gasps of disbelief as we leave out the formidable Ryan Giggs, but by judging on Bale's last two seasons for Spurs, he was simply unstoppable - on another level to what Giggs achieved at United. Bale's influence on that team, some could argue, was a great as Ronaldo's for United, and like the Portuguese, he sealed his then world record move to Real Madrid.
Striker - Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Arsenal's record goal scorer was a phenomenon in his peak, and he played a key role in their 'invincible' season in 2004. Pace, strength, skill and a sharp eye for goal, Henry simply had it all.
Alan Shearer (Newcastle United)
Alan Shearer is STILL the greatest striker the Premier League has ever seen. He didn't have pace or sublime skill, but Shearer was your old fashioned centre forward, with incredible strength and a lethal eye for goal. The Premier League's record scorer will take some beating.
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