Greatest Premier League Players Ever – Top 25 Legends
15. Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira rose to prominence during a hugely successful spell at Arsenal from 1996 to 2005, where he eventually became club captain, and won three Premier League titles. He transferred from Arsenal in 2005 and spent one season at Juventus.
Widely regarded as the heartbeat of a resurgent Arsenal side in the mid-‘90s, Patrick Vieira still holds a soft spot in the hearts of Premier League supporters. The powerful Frenchman brought a steel to the Gunners that they have struggled to replace since his departure from the club in 2005. He is 12th in the list of ‘Greatest Premier League Players Ever’.
14. Gianfranco Zola
During his time at Chelsea , he won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, the UEFA Supercup, two FA Cups, the League Cup, and the Community Shield. In 2003 he was voted Chelsea’s greatest player ever.He was capped 35 times for Italy from his debut in 1991, appearing at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where Italy finished in second place, and Euro 96. He was voted the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in the 1996–97 season
The Italian magician brought with him a touch of class to a Chelsea team that, at the time, enjoyed moderate success as they struggled with financial issues and a lack of identity , remains one of the few Chelsea players revered by fans from all around the country. A true Chelsea Legend and one of the ‘Greatest Premier League Players Ever’.
13. Roy Keane
Manchester United Leader, he is the joint most successful Irish footballer of all time, having won 19 major trophies, 17 of which came at Manchester United, in his club career. Keane was a dominating defensive midfielder, noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play, an attitude that helped him excel as captain of Manchester United from 1997 until his departure in 2005 having joined the club in 1993.
12. David Silva
One of Manchester City’s greatest ever players, Silva was signed from Valencia in 2010 and has now given them nine years of highly-skilled control in midfield. City would never have won their four Premier League titles without Silva pulling the strings and he has proven more consistent than his two best colleagues, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero.
In much the same way Xavi and Andres Iniesta dictated Barcelona’s great teams of the mid 00s, Silva has been orchestrator in chief for City from his first season in Manchester. Roberto Mancini, Brian Kidd, Manuel Pellegrini and now Pep Guardiola have all put their faith in Silva to act as their creative hub. Football legends Jamie Carragher and Pablo Zabaleta has clearly stated that David Silva is greatest City’s player ever in their opinion.
11. Wayne Rooney
Premier League’s second highest goalscorer, Wayne Rooney made his professional debut for Everton in 2002 at the age of 16. He spent two seasons at the Merseyside club, before moving to Manchester United for £25.6 million in the 2004 summer transfer window. He won 16 trophies with Manchester United, including five Premier League titles, and in the process he became the Club’s leading goalscorer ever.
In 2009–10, Rooney was awarded the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year. He has won the Premier League Player of the Month award five times. Rooney’s bicycle kick against rivals Manchester City won the Premier League Goal of the 20 Seasons award. Before the start of the 2017-18 season, Rooney returned to Everton. One of the greatest Premier League players ever, Wayne Rooney is currently playing in the MLS.