3 Greatest Players Ever Of Each Of The 20 Premier League Clubs
6. Chelsea
3. Peter Osgood
Peter Osgood, or ‘The Wizard Of Os’ as he was fondly remembered as, was a magical forward who was a major reason behind Chelsea’s rise to prominence in the early 1970s. Osgood continued his prolific form in big matches next season as well, scoring in both legs of the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup against the mighty Real Madrid, giving Chelsea a taste of European success for the first time ever. These trophies mean Osgood will forever have a place in the hearts of Chelsea fans all over the world, and there is a huge ‘Born Is The King’ banner at Stamford Bridge as a tribute to the great forward.
2. John Terry
A strong, tenacious, commanding and physical defender, Terry excels in the air and is known for his aggressive tackling, positioning, leadership and his ability to read the game. He recently left Chelsea after 19 years with the club. The centre-back has captained Chelsea through their most successful period, winning five league titles, five FA Cups, the Europa League, and the Champions League.
1. Frank Lampard
An £11 million signing from West Ham, where his time was overshadowed by accusations of nepotism and taunts about his weight, Lampard proved his class and professionalism over 13 trophy-laden seasons at Stamford Bridge. Possessed of a high IQ on and off the field, Lampard was everything a modern midfielder should be, but it was his goalscoring ability that stood out.
He comfortably broke double figures for 10 straight seasons, scoring 20-plus in five of those, and passed Bobby Tambling’s all-time club record in May 2013.
Checkout: 10 Greatest Chelsea Players Ever
7. Crystal Palace
3. Ian Wright
Wright signed for Palace in 1985, aged 22. In six years at Palace, Wright scored 117 goals in 277 games for the club, making him the third-highest scorer in Palace history, and the highest since the 1930s. In 2005, Wright was named Palace’s ‘Player of the Century’. He left the club in 1991 for Arsenal, where too he went on to become a club legend.
2. Peter Simpson
Simpson made his Crystal Palace debut in the fifth game of the 1929-30 season against Norwich City and scored a hat-trick, and by March of that season, had scored 27 goals in 27 league and cup games. He finished the season, and improved on his record up until March, finally having netted 36 times in 34 games. He scored overall 165 goals in 195 apps for the club.
1. Jim Cannon
Signed in 1970, the Scottish defender has made more appearances for The Eagles than any other player, with over 660 appearances during his 15 seasons at Selhurst Park. Cannon was with the Eagles between 1973 and 1988 and scored on his debut against Chelsea. In 2005, Cannon was voted into Palace’s Centenary XI and was only just pipped to “The Player of The Century” award by Ian Wright.
Checkout: 10 Greatest Crystal Palace Players Ever
8. Everton
3. Kevin Ratcliffe
One of the best Everton players ever, Kevin Ratcliffe was known for his superb defending skills which included some tough tackling and helped him gain a reputation as a hard man. Whilst captain, Ratcliffe led Everton to one of their most successful spells in the club’s history, winning the 1984 FA Cup Final, the League Championship in 1984–85 and1986–87 and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 1984–85.
2. Neville Southall
Undoubtedly one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, Neville Southall will always be considered as one of Everton’s best-ever players. The Welshman was an integral part of Everton in their glory days which saw them win two First Division titles, two FA Cups, four Community Shields and one League Cup.
1. Dixie Dean
Without a doubt, Dixie Dean is Everton’s best player of all time. With a total of 383 goals, Dixie Dean still holds the record as Everton’s top scorer. During his 12-year career, Dixie Dean became the Merseyside club’s top goalscorer with 383 goals in all competitions and still holds the English national record of most goals in a season with 61 goals in 1927-1928 season.
Checkout:10 Greatest Everton Players Ever
9. Leeds United
3. John Charles
The Gentle Giant, as he was known, began life at Elland Road as a centre-half. He quickly established himself as one of the best defenders the game had due to the way he married his technical ability with his physical presence.
2. Peter Lorimer
Lorimer was an attacking midfielder, generally regarded as having one of the hardest shots in football. From 1984 to 1985 he was club captain of Leeds and holds the record as the club’s youngest ever player and record goalscorer. He was voted into the Greatest Leeds United team of all time.
1. Billy Bremner
Billy Bremner was arguably one of the greatest all-round footballers the game has ever known. His technical ability matched with his fighting spirit made him one of the fiercest competitors. He was the main reason why Leeds United enjoyed so much success while he was wearing the armband.
10. Leicester City
3. Gary Lineker
Lineker began his football career at Leicester City, making his senior debut in 1979. However, he became a regular player in 1981–82, scoring 19 goals in all competitions that season. Lineker never received even a yellow card in his professional career. He made 194 league apps for Leicester scoring 95 goals.
2. Steve Walsh
Walsh spent most of his career at Leicester City after joining from Wigan in 1986. Brian Little made Walsh Leicester’s club captain in 1992 and started playing him as a striker even though he was a defender. He went on to score 15 goals that season including one in the Division 1 play-off final against Swindon Town at the end of the season.
1. Gordon Banks
Banks is best known for being the man between the sticks when England won the World Cup in 1966, Banks’ club career was spent largely with Leicester City and Stoke City. He spent eight years with Leicester and played in four cup finals for the club, as they were beaten in the 1961 and 1963 FA Cup finals, before winning the League Cup in 1964 and finishing as finalists in 1965.
Burnley…You forgot Willie Irvine 78 goals in 126 apps.