SPORTS

The best Premier League players of all time – ranked: 30-21

Published

2 weeks ago

November 16, 2023

BEN10

Since its inception in 1992, the Premier League has been the home of some of the greatest footballers of all time.

From early Premier League years heroes like Eric Cantona, to Ballon d’Or winners like Cristiano Ronaldo, and modern day greats like Mohamed Salah, English football fans have been treated to watching true footballing icons week in, week out over the last three decades.

But who is the greatest Premier League player of all time?

Well, that’s what we’re here to decide.

Over the next week, 90min will be ranking the top 50 Premier League players of all time. After ranking 50-41 on Monday, and 40-31 on Tuesday, we’re back rank 30-21 today…

30. Gianfranco Zola

Zola was exceptional / Ben Radford / Staff

Premier League club: Chelsea
Position: Attacking midfielder

Before the Roman Abramovich money brought a huge swathe of international icons to Stamford Bridge, Gianfranco Zola was Chelsea’s one and only superstar player.

The number ten dazzled Blues fans throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, scoring stunning free kicks, long-range rockets and even a bloody back-heel volley (check this video out if you don’t believe me).

29. Tony Adams

Arsenal legend / Getty Images / Staff

Premier League club: Arsenal
Position: Defender

Arsenal’s greatest ever defender and captain, Tony Adams’ career in north London is rightfully the stuff of legend at this point.

After helping the Gunners dominate the domestic game during the First Division era under George Graham, Adams continued to be one of the best centre-backs in England throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s while Arsene Wenger was manager.

His two Premier League titles and three PFA Team of the Year nods were more than deserved.

28. Ruud van Nistelrooy

Fantastic goalscorer / Laurence Griffiths / Staff

Premier League club: Manchester United
Position: Forward

The ultimate penalty box striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored one of his 150 Manchester United goals from outside of the area.

Van Nistelrooy, thanks to his movement and finishing ability, was utterly deadly in the 18-yard box for Manchester United. The striker scored at least 20 goals in each of his four full seasons at Old Trafford – he missed the majority of the 2004/05 campaign due to injury – to guide them to one Premier League title during his time at the club.

His goalscoring antics also earned him a PFA Player of the Year award and a Golden Boot too. Nice one.

27. Didier Drogba

Drogba scored important goals / Julian Finney / Staff

Premier League club: Chelsea
Position: Forward

If you look up ‘clutch’ in the dictionary you’ll probably read something like “a clutch is a mechanical device that allows the output shaft to be disconnected from the rotating input shaft” or “to grasp something tightly”, but you should actually just read the name “Didier Drogba”.

Drogba was the Super Sunday big-game player throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, rising to the big occasion to fire Chelsea to Premier League title, after Premier League title, after Premier League title.

His 104 league goals won Chelsea four titles in total, and etched his name in the club’s history as one of the Blues’ greatest ever players.

26. Vincent Kompany

A top defender in his day / Laurence Griffiths / Staff

Premier League club: Manchester City
Position: Defender

Signed as central midfielder from Hamburger SV for just £6m, Manchester City fans probably weren’t expecting Vincent Kompany to the centre-back they built their golden era around; and yet that’s exactly what he became.

Four Premier League titles and a statue later, Kompany is widely regarded as one of the greatest centre-backs in Premier League history.

25. N’Golo Kante

Two-time PL winner / Matthew Ashton – AMA / Contributor

Premier League clubs: Leicester City, Chelsea
Position: Midfielder

A player with such a cultural impact that RedBubble are still selling “70% of the earth is covered by water, the rest by N’Golo Kante” t-shirts (for just £13.52 if you’re into low quality t-shirts which will turn to dust after one 30-degree wash), it’s fair to say the the holding midfielder left his mark on the Premier League.

Between 2015 and 2017 in particular, Kante was basically a cheat code in midfield. At both Leicester City and Chelsea in those two years, the France international single-handedly won countless midfield battles to inspire both to league title triumphs.

24. Nemanja Vidic

World class / Shaun Botterill / Staff

Premier League club: Manchester United
Position: Defender

The best January signing of all time?

Judging by the fact that Nemanja Vidic was signed for £7m and went on to win five Premier League titles, be named in four PFA Team of the Years and two FIFA FIFPro World XIs, we’d say he definitely is.

Vidic was utterly exceptional at Old Trafford.

23. Ashley Cole

The best full-back in PL history? / PATRIK STOLLARZ / Staff

Premier League clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea
Position: Full-back

Before there were flying full-backs who were essentially wingers and inverted full-backs who are essentially midfielders, there were two-way full-backs who could defend as well as they could attack (weird concept, right?), and there was no better two-way full-back than Ashley Cole.

The ex-England international was utterly exceptional during his time at both Arsenal and Chelsea, making four PFA Team of the Years while helping the London clubs to three Premier League titles.

22. Peter Schmeichel

The best / Getty Images / Staff

Premier League clubs: Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City
Position: Goalkeeper

Peter Schmeichel is the best goalkeeper in Premier League history and, judging by the fact that he is 14 places higher than his closest competitor on this list (Petr Cech) it’s not even really up for debate either.

21. Rio Ferdinand

A Premier League legend / Shaun Botterill / Staff

Premier League clubs: West Ham United, Leeds United, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers
Position: Defender

The centre-back role has changed a lot of the years. Way back in the day the role consisted of heading medicine balls clear of the penalty box, and now it mostly entails having the ball at your feet (a normal one, not a medicine ball) and retaining possession for your team.

Rio Ferdinand is one of the few centre-backs who would’ve thrived in either era. The former England international was as good on the ball as he was off it during his 15-year career in the Premier League – winning six Premier League titles and being named in six PFA Team of the Years as a result.

SPORTS

Harry Maguire Accepts Issac Adongo’s Apology: Anticipating a Reunion at Old Trafford

Published

1 week ago

November 22, 2023

Odogwu

In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has publicly acknowledged and accepted the apology extended by Member of Parliament Issac Adongo. The footballer, known for his composed demeanor on and off the field, responded gracefully to Adongo’s apology, hinting at a potential meeting at the iconic Old Trafford.

The apology stems from a previous incident where Adongo made comments that raised eyebrows among football enthusiasts and drew Maguire’s attention. Maguire, true to his reputation as a leader, chose not to escalate the situation but instead welcomed the MP’s apology with open arms.

https://twitter.com/HarryMaguire93/status/1727364500519518349?t=YFBYYMf5EmR23ZgSbBDwyA&s=19

The conciliatory message was shared by Maguire on his social media platforms, where he stated, “Apology accepted, Issac Adongo. See you at Old Trafford soon.” The use of the word “soon” has sparked excitement and speculation among fans, who are now eagerly awaiting the prospect of Adongo’s presence at a Manchester United match.

Harry Maguire

This unexpected reconciliation serves as a testament to Maguire’s professionalism and ability to handle criticism with maturity. Rather than engaging in a public feud, the England international chose the high road, fostering an atmosphere of understanding and respect.

The incident has also ignited discussions about the intersection of sports and politics. Maguire’s acceptance of the apology sends a positive message about the power of dialogue and reconciliation, even in situations where public figures may hold differing views.

Hon. Isaac Adongo

As the anticipation builds for the promised meeting at Old Trafford, it raises questions about the potential impact of such encounters on the broader relationship between the sports and political spheres. Will this event prompt more conversations between athletes and politicians? Only time will tell.

For now, fans of Manchester United and followers of the saga are left to eagerly await the day when Harry Maguire and Issac Adongo share a moment at Old Trafford. The power of sports to bring people together, even those with differing opinions, continues to be a driving force for unity and understanding in our society.

Harry Maguire

Source: Eghnews.com

SPORTS

‘We conceded a poor goal’ – Ghana coach Chirs Hughton laments defensive lapse in defeat to Comoros

Published

1 week ago

November 22, 2023

BEN10

Ghana coach Chris Hughton, did not mince words in his critique of his team’s performance following a 1-0 defeat to Comoros on Tuesday in the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers.

The Black Stars missed a chance to go top of Group I as they were beaten in Moroni.

The pivotal moment in the match came in the 43rd minute when Myziane Maolida capitalised on a solo opportunity, receiving the ball from the midfield and scoring.

Hughton, speaking in the post-match analysis, expressed his displeasure at the defensive lapse that led to the decisive goal.

“I thought Ghana were the better team,” Hughton stated, emphasising his belief in the team’s overall performance. However, his frustration was palpable as he criticized the conceded goal, considering it a missed opportunity to maintain control of the game.

“We conceded what we regarded as a poor goal to concede, and we were not able to capitalize on the chances that we had,” Hughton remarked, underscoring the team’s inability to convert scoring opportunities.

As a result of the defeat, the Black Stars remain at three points after two rounds of games, while Comoros ascends to the top of the group with four points from two matches.

Looking forward, Ghana’s focus will shift to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for January 2024 in Ivory Coast. The team, under Hughton’s leadership, will aim to regroup and make a strong showing in the continental competition after the setback in the World Cup qualifiers.

SPORTS

Chris Hughton bemoans missed opportunities as Ghana fall to Comoros in World Cup qualifiers

Published

1 week ago

November 22, 2023

BEN10

Ghana coach Chris Hughton attributed the team’s defeat to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers to a lack of sharpness in front of the goal.

The Black Stars suffered a setback on matchday two in Moroni on Tuesday, November 21.

Despite Hughton’s belief that Ghana was the superior team for a significant portion of the match, the inability to convert chances proved costly. In his post-match analysis, the Irish manager acknowledged Comoros for their victory but emphasized his team’s dominance throughout the 90 minutes.

“Congratulations to Comoros for the victory. In my opinion over the 90 minutes, we were the better team. I thought Ghana was the better team,” Hughton stated, highlighting his team’s overall performance. However, he expressed frustration over a conceded goal that he deemed avoidable and the team’s failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

“So this was not a game where Comoros won this game comfortably. Over the 90 minutes, we were the better team, but unfortunately, we were not able to put away the chances that we created,” Hughton lamented, emphasizing the significance of missed opportunities.

The defeat prevented the Black Stars from ascending to the top of Group I, leaving them with three points after two rounds of games played. With their focus now shifting to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for January 2024 in Ivory Coast, Hughton, and his team will aim to regroup and hone their finishing prowess to make a strong impact in the continental competition.