Best Premier League Players of all Time: Greatest PL Players Ever

The English Premier League is more than just a football league; it’s one of the biggest footballing stages where legends are made. Since its inception, the league has seen legends shape the game with their souls imprinted into their clubs. The Premier League has seen a host of the best Premier League players of all time, playing in one of the best football leagues in the world. We are examining players who showed their quality, loyalty, consistency, impact, performance, and longevity.

Additionally, the EPL is home to some of the biggest clubs in the world, who turned their stadiums into reinforced fortresses and had their names chanted throughout their careers. In this article, we are going to compile a list of the top 10 best Premier League players of all time. This list is filled with some of the most iconic and dominating players, and we even had to leave out players like Paul Scholes, David Beckham, and Steven Gerrard due to certain ranking criteria.

Greatest Premier League Players of All Time: Top 10 List

Below is the list of the top 10 best Premier League players of all time that we have created on the basis of several ranking criteria, such as goal contributions, EPL titles, impact and more: Find out who is the greatest Premier League player of all time.

Who are the Greatest Premier League Players of all Time?

This list features the likes of Roy Keane, a dominating midfielder who captained and played a pivotal role during the dominance of Man United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Liverpool's record-breaker, Mohamed Salah, Chelsea's icon Frank Lampard and more. But who secures the top spot as the best Premier League player of all time?

10. Harry Kane

The ex-Tottenham star Harry Kane's journey to the top as one of the best strikers in the world is a story in itself. Starting as a rookie graduate from the Spurs Academy, he went on to become one of the best Premier League players of all time. His 2016-17 Premier League season, where he went on to win the Golden Boot, netting 29 goals. Moreover, His loyalty to Tottenham Hotspur made him a club symbol and the club's all-time top scorer.

Kane in the Premier League was known for his physicality, finishing, and playmaking skills, which cemented his legacy as one of the best English footballers currently. His insane curler from 25 yards during the 2017 North London Derby and his fearless goal from the halfway line against the Gunners in 2015 showcase his class. Harry Kane won the 2021 Premier League Player of the Season award and evolved into a complete forward. However, his dream of winning the league title at Tottenham remained unachieved.

9. Frank Lampard

When Roman Abramovich first took over the ownership of Chelsea, the club was struggling, but he transformed it with consistent investments in acquiring big names and elite coaches. Soon, the results were visible as the club produced a powerhouse in Frank Lampard, who carried the Blues to several trophies. His overall impact with the club has been nothing short of a miracle; netting an impressive figure of 211 goals as a midfielder is just unreal.

The English midfielder’s leadership during the 2012 UEFA Champions League season, where they went on to win this trophy for the first time. Lampard is regarded as the best Chelsea player of all time. He has played under the flexible Jose Mourinho era to the free-flowing Carlo Ancelotti's side, winning 3 League titles and 4 FA Cups. The English icon is, without a doubt, one of the best Premier League players of all time. His performance against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-final displayed his grit and determination.

8. Roy Keane

Manchester United icon Roy Keane is one of the most successful captains in football and EPL history. Even so, his impact on the club during Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden era was something else. Especially the 1999 historic treble-winning season with the Red Devils. The Irishman shared an iconic rivalry with Patrick Vieira, where he showed an unyielding spirit. But if we have to sum up his playing style, then his fierce tackles and pressing will be perfect for it.

The former Manchester United midfielder's passion for the club runs deeper than that of others. His performance during the big games, like the 1999 UEFA Champions League semifinal against Juventus, leading a 3-2 comeback, shows his leadership qualities. During his time at Old Trafford, it was more than just winning numerous trophies; Keane instilled a never-give-up mentality, which rightly makes him one of the greatest Premier League players of all time.

7. Eric Cantona

The French icon Eric Cantona’s arrival at Manchester United in 1992 helped the club end its 26-year title drought and started their golden era. He turned the regular talented bunch of players into serial winners and was known for his swagger, artistic flair, and finishing. His iconic chip against Sunderland in 1996, followed by a matching celebration, became a metaphor for the Red Devils. The French striker won four titles in five years, which laid the foundation for Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden era.

One of the most influential players Eric Cantona’s thumping strikes and audacious volleys made him a fan favourite at the club. His unreal kung-fu kick against Crystal Palace in 1995 won’t be forgotten by fans; it was a pure moment of madness that amplified his legend. But ultimately, it was his cheeky Panenka penalty against Sunderland in 1996 that cemented his legacy as one of the best Premier League player of all time, while redefining what it truly means to wear the United shirt.

6. Kevin De Bruyne

The Belgian icon Kevin De Bruyne is regarded as one of the complete modern-day playmakers. Under Pep Guardiola, he was sensational, with more than 100 assists. His role during the 2023 treble-winning season with Manchester City is one of the highlights of his career at Etihad Stadium. His assist to Rodri during the Champions League final solidified his stature as one of the best Manchester City players.

A phenomenal playmaker who could see through spaces in between defenders and thread beautiful passes, making him one of the best English Premier League players. His dream season for Manchester City in the Premier League came during the 2019-20 season. He scored 13 goals and 20 assists, as well as winning the FA Community Shield and EFL Cup. De Bruyne has the ability to thread simple yet beautiful crosses into the box, which makes his playing style look simple.

5. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool, and there were a lot of doubts about whether he could still make it big in the league. He proved everyone wrong with his performance. During his debut season for the Reds, he scored an impressive number of 32 goals, rewriting his Premier League legacy. The winger has been in tremendous form in the league, scoring 191 goals in 323 appearances. In 2019, he helped the Reds end their 30-year title drought, with his legacy cemented at Anfield Stadium

The Egyptian Mohamed Salah is one of the best Premier League players of all time. He is known for his goal-scoring abilities, while his playmaking skills go under the radar most of the time. The former Chelsea winger’s ability to cut inside and shoot curlers highlights his technicality and brilliance. For the past few seasons, Salah has proven that he is more than just a goal scorer. He has already established himself as one of the best wingers in EPL history.

4. Alan Shearer

At number four, we have one of the best number 9s of all time, Alan Shearer. When he decided to reject Manchester United’s offer to join Newcastle United in 1996, it shocked everyone. Though trophies evaded him during his time at St James Park, his loyalty and performances made him a fan favourite. His consistent goal-scoring spree and clutch performances made him one of the greatest Premier League players of all time.

The English striker’s mindset was simple and outlined as ‘see ball, smash ball’. He is the leading goal scorer in the Premier League's history with 260 goals. His rocket of a strike from 30 yards out against Aston Villa in 2002 was just something extraordinary. Shearer carried the weight of an entire city every time he stepped onto the field, and that showed his mindset. The Premier League icon is highly regarded as one of the greatest Premier League players.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

The Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United as a rookie with immense potential. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, he evolved from a showboating teen to a Ballon d’Or winner. His best season for the Red Devils came in 2007, when the world saw a glimpse of what was about to come. He netted 31 goals and provided 7 assists in 34 games in that campaign. With the Red Devils, Ronaldo lifted three Premier League trophies. Even the great Sir Alex Ferguson labelled him “a machine of a man” for his obsessive work ethic.

Though his second stint with the Red Devils ended bitterly, his legacy as United’s stellar prodigy remains untouchable. The ex-Los Blancos forward announced his return to his former club as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Even at the age of 36, he was still scoring as if his prime never left him. His return season saw him score 18 goals in 30 appearances. He has established himself as one of greatest Premier League players of all time. Ronaldo’s free-kick against Portsmouth in 2008 defied physics with his athleticism; the amount of guts it took to hit a knuckleball from 40 yards out defied.

2. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United & Everton)

At number two on our list, we have one of the greatest Manchester United players of all time, Wayne Rooney, who played with the raw passion of a rookie for the Merseyside club Everton. However, it was Manchester United where the striker became the club’s record goal-scorer with 253 goals for Manchester United, cementing his place as one of the greatest Premier League players. Rooney was known for his goal-scoring instincts, creativity, and leadership.

The stellar 2011 bicycle kick against Manchester City, a moment of pure instinct, showed his class as an attacker. The Englishman’s 50-yard goal against West Ham United in 2014 left defenders rooted. His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo was something every defender had nightmares about. Wayne Rooney had the ability to combine plays with smart passes and finish them. He made 491 EPL appearances and made over 300 goal contributions.

1. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

And the player who tops our list is none other than Arsenal icon Thierry Henry. He was a key player in the most memorable Premier League season, the “2003-04 Invincibles season”. The French forward bagged 24 goals and assisted 20 times for the Gunners, redefined what a striker could do and made him one of the best Premier League strikers. He tops the list of the top 10 best Premier League players of all time.

The French striker’s solo goal against Tottenham in 2002, after gliding past five defenders, is a perfect blend of speed, dribbling, and finishing that embodied Arsene Wenger’s spirit. His chip against Manchester United in 2000 was craftsmanship in its purest form, and let’s not forget his backheel assist for Robert Pires against Aston Villa in 2004, a moment of genius that summed up his brilliance. Hailed as one of the greatest French football players.

Best Premier League Players of all Time: Ranking Factors

Now, let's understand the ranking factors that we have ensured in detail, it includes, goal contributions, Premier League titles won, Impact and Memorable performances.

• Goal Contributions: The first and foremost ranking factor is goal contributions, such as goals and assists, which are taken into account to compile the list.
• Premier League titles Won: The number of Premier League titles won is another important ranking criterion to form the list of best players in Premier League history.
• Impact on Team Success: The best players in the English Premier League elevate teammates and deliver trophies. Their presence transforms contenders into champions through leadership and clutch performances.
• Memorable Performances: Legends are defined by moments that transcend sport – last-minute winners, solo marvels, and displays of sheer willpower that become cultural touchstones.