Football opinion always stirs up debate and obviously there is never a true answer unless your basing on fact. This list in my opinion, is a list of the top 10 players who have dominated the Premier League with regards to the inspiration, centre stage, influence, style, flair and skill.
Number 10 – Dennis Bergkamp
Coming over from the Italian League, the former Inter Milan player looked to have style and class about him. Arsenal had always been a good team, but they did a boring reputation, especially for the 1-0. But Bergkamp brought style, poise, elegance and skill to Arsenal, but not just Arsenal, the Premiership.
Number 9 – Gianfranco Zola
The little genius, bought a flare and entertainment to Chelsea, worth the admission fee alone. The best thing that Zola bought to football though was his passion and enjoyment for the game. Which is why Zola is still held with great respect and admiration by all fans now he is in management.
Number 8 – David Beckham
Some might think Beckham should be higher up the table, and if he’d spent longer in the Premier League, he probably would be. Beckham bought flair, skill and determination to the league. What’s more, he was English. even at the end of his career, there are extremely few better from a dead ball situation.
Number 7 -Alan Shearer
One of the finest goal scorers England has ever produced. Right from his early days at Southampton to his later career as the messiah in Newcastle, having Shearer on your team sheet gave you goals galore. An excellent ambassador but also a player who would give as good as he got.
Number 6 – Steven Gerrard
A life long Liverpool player, Gerrard is quite frankly the heartbeat of a Liverpool team that has failed to live up to its high standards since the early 90’s. The attacking midfielder literally carries a constantly under achieving team, it little wonder he’s been strong enough to carry the same form through to the international team.
Number 5 – Roy Keane
What has been shown in the Premiership years is that to win and to keep winning, your team needs and engine that drives you forward. Roy Keane was this engine for Manchester United, with his commitment, guts, drive and honesty. Roy Keane was one of the main reasons why Manchester United have dominated the premiership trophy.
Number 4 – Frank Lampard
Like the previous 2 entrants, Frank Lampard is Mr Chelsea. Where Lampard is a similar to Keane and Gerrard, Lampard comes out on top with more flair, skill and goals. A manager demands 20+ goals from a striker, when your getting that many from one midfielder, your already a step ahead of the rest.
Number 3 – Eric Cantona
Cantona bought appeal, excitement, skill, passion and drive to a Manchester United team. In many ways Cantona made Manchester United the team they are today. As it was Cantona that bought on and inspired the young players of Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Neville’s. Cantona was the most dominant player in the first half of the Premiership years.
Number 2 – Thierry Henry
Clearly and by far the best striker to grace the Premiership. With his fantastic speed, skill and intelligent football brain, Henry has become one the strikers in Europe. Originally a winger, Henry with the help of Arsene Wenger has become a perfect striker.
Number 1 – Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs has to be the No 1 icon of the Premiership years for his dominance, skill, flair, intelligence, longevity and the fact that he by far is the most decorated player ever in English football. Giggs has not only played in every Premiership season, he has scored goals in every Premiership season. No other player can come close to Ryan Giggs.
Atomic Apple 