Ranking the Ten Best Premier League Players | All Time

The English Premier League is more than just a football league, it’s one of the biggest footballing stages where legends are made from ordinary players. For decades, this league has seen legends shape the game with their souls imprinted into their clubs. The Premier League has seen many players who turned their stadiums into reinforced fortresses and had their names chanted throughout their careers.

From Roy Keane, a dominating midfielder who captained and played a pivotal role during the dominance of Man United under Sir Alex Ferguson, to record-breaker Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. But what really separates a legend from a megastar? Well, it’s to take a look at their quality, loyalty, consistency, impact, performance, and longevity. But ranking these players or making a list of the ten best English Premier League players is a tough task, given that so many great players have graced this league.

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, Steven Gerrard, and many more. This shows how competitive the Premier League has been for decades now. These ten best Premier League players have transcended this sport with their impact, brilliance, longevity, and legacy. Here is the list of the top ten best English Premier League players of all time:

Ranking Factors

Individual Achievements: Golden Boots, Player of the Year awards, and Ballon d’Or nominations separate good players from legends. These honors reflect dominance against elite competition.

Consistency: True greatness requires maintaining world-class standards across multiple seasons, adapting to tactical shifts and physical demands of England’s relentless schedule.

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.

Influence on the League: Icons change how football is played. Their styles inspire tactical revolutions, youth development philosophies, and global perceptions of the English Premier League’s best players.

Top 10 Best Premier League Players

10. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

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. Right? His tally of goals is better than some of the greats who played this game as strikers.

The English midfielder’s leadership during the 2012 UEFA Champions League season, where they went on to win this trophy for the first time, will be remembered forever by his fans. Lampard has played under the flexible Jose Mourinho era to the free-flowing Don Carlo side, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. His performance against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-final with a torn thigh muscle for 120 minutes showed his grit and determination, making him one of the best Premier League players of all time.

9. Roy Keane (Manchester United)

Roy Keane is one of the most successful captains in Manchester United’s history. Even so, his impact on the club during Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden era was something else. Especially his historic treble winning season in 1999 with the Red Devils. From 1996 to 2005, he had 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’s passion for the club runs deeper than 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, he instilled a never-give-up mentality, which rightly makes him one of the best Premier League players of all time.

8. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

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 loyalty to Tottenham Hotspur made him a club symbol. His 2016-17 Premier League season, where he went on to win the Golden Boot, netting 29 goals, announced him as one of the best Premier League players of all time.

The former Spurs striker was known for his physicality, finishing, and playmaking skills, which cemented his legacy as the best player in the English Premier League. 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. Kane’s 2021 Premier League Player of the Season award-winning season saw his evolution into a complete forward. However, his dream of winning trophies at Tottenham remained unfulfilled.

7. Eric Cantona (Manchester United)

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.

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 players of all time. He redefined what it truly means to wear the United shirt.

6. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Kevin De Bruyne is regarded as one of the complete modern-day playmakers. Under Pep Guardiola, he has been 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 UCL final solidified his stature as the Premier League’s most complete playmaker. Kevin 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, scoring 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 (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool from Chelsea in 2017 as one of the most unexpected signings. In the beginning, there were a lot of doubts about whether he could still make it big in the league, and 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 Egyptian winger has been in tremendous form in the league, scoring 184 goals in 294 appearances. Impressive right?

During the 2019-20 Premier League season, he helped the Reds end their 30-year title drought with his legacy cemented at Anfield Stadium and is hailed as one of the best English Premier League players. 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.

4. Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers & Newcastle United)

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 in 1996, it shocked everyone. Though trophies evaded him during his time at Newcastle United, his loyalty and performances made him a fan favourite. His thunderous volley against Everton in 1996 and consistent performances in the Premier League made him one of the best Premier League players.

The English striker’s mindset was simple and outlined as ‘see ball, smash ball’. 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. Shearer is highly regarded as one of the English Premier League best players.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United as a rookie with immense potential. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson and senior players, 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. The Portuguese striker netted 31 goals and provided 7 assists in 34 games. In 2021, he 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 scoring 18 goals in 30 appearances. Cristiano Ronaldo is regarded as one of the best Premier League players of all time.

Ronaldo’s free-kick against Portsmouth in 2008 defied physics; the amount of guts it took to hit a knuckleball from a 40-yard out defied. His bicycle kick against Juventus in 2018 showcased his athleticism. Even the great Sir Alex Ferguson labeled 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.

2. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United & Everton)

At number two on our list, we have Wayne Mark Rooney. Wayne Rooney played with the raw passion of a rookie for the Merseyside club, Everton. Rooney became the club’s record goal-scorer with 253 goals for Manchester United, cementing his place as one of the best English Premier League players. The former Man United captain was known for his goal-scoring instincts, creativity, and leadership. His 2011 bicycle kick against Manchester City, a moment of pure instinct, remains one of the greatest Premier League goals.

The Englishman’s 50-yard goal against West Ham in 2014 left defenders rooted. His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo was something every defender had nightmares about. He had the ability to combine plays with smart passes and finish them.

1. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

And the player who tops our list is none other than Thierry Henry. His 2003-04 Invincibles season, where he scored 24 goals and assisted 20 times, redefined what a striker could do and made him one of the best ever Premier League strikers.. The French striker’s solo goal against Tottenham in 2002, 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.

List of 10 Best Premier League Players