Match of the Day has celebrated it's 60th anniversary this week and for the past week, I've been doing my top 10's on some of the topics that Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have discussed on their podcast Match of the Day top 10.
To end the celebrations, I've decided to do a top 10 on goalkeepers, defenders, full backs, midfielders, wingers and goalscorers.
GOALKEEPERS
CONTENDERS:
Alisson - Liverpool
David James - Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Man City, Portsmouth
Shay Given - Newcastle, man City, Aston Villa, Stoke
Jens Lehmann - Arsenal
David De Gea - Man United
Ederson - Man City
Edwin Van Der Sar - Fulham, Man United
Petr Cech - Chelsea, Arsenal
David Seaman - Arsenal, Man City
Peter Schmeichel - Man United, Aston Villa, Man City
LINEKER, SHEARER, RICHARDS' TOP 10
Peter Schmeichel
Petr Cech
David Seaman
Edwin Van Der Sar
Ederson
David De Gea
Alisson
Shay Given
Jens Lehmann
David James
MY TOP 10
Peter Schmeichel
Petr Cech
David Seaman
Edwin Van Der Sar
Ederson
David Gea
Alisson
David James
Jens Lehmann
Shay Given
THE VERDICT:
If I had to pick the greatest Premier League keeper of all-time, it has to be Schmeichel. He kind of saves he pulled off were extraordinary and he did it times and time again during his time at Man United. He kept his side in games many times and he played a key role in the success they had in the early days of Alex Ferguson.
Petr Cech comes in just behind Schmeichel as he was easily the best keeper in the league on his day, especially when he was at Chelsea. He was a keeper who was a big presence between the sticks and could pull off many top class saves to keep his side in games. His presence between the sticks played a key role in the success he achieved at Chelsea and was one reason why they were so solid defensively.
Seaman was the best keeper in the league after Schmeichel left United because of the big presence he was between the sticks. His presence between the sticks made Arsenal a solid team defensively as they had a keeper who they could rely upon to make crucial saves when needed.
Ederson changed the role of a keeper when he arrived at Man City in being able to play out from the back and be comfortable with the ball at his feet. Alisson might be ahead of him in the pecking order at Brazil and he too has been fantastic for Liverpool since he's been there, but Ederson has been in the Premier League longer and has made more of an impact. That is what puts him above Alisson and into the top 5.
David De Gea was the best keeper in the league for some time due to his incredible shot stopping abilities. He made many top class saves to keep United in games and without him, they would've finished much lower down the table. He was won United's player of the year award 4 times in 5 years because of his constant ability to keep United in games time and time again. He might've been higher up the list had he stayed at the top longer.
OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS: Joe Hart, Pepe Reina, Hugo Lloris
Joe Hart was one of the best shot-stopper in Europe on his day and is very unlucky not to be included in this list. He made all kinds of top class saves when he was at his best and his ability to so kept his side in games. He might not have been fancied by Pep Guardiola due to his inability to play out from the back, but Hart was still one of the best keepers around.
Pepe Reina won the golden glove for three years running from 2006 to 2008 and was on his day a top class keeper. He kept Liverpool in games many times by making many crucial saves and the reds struggled to replace him after he left, until they got Alisson.
Hugo Lloris helped take Spurs onto the next level during his first few years by being a solid presence between the sticks. He made a lot of top class and crucial saves throughout his time at Spurs and his ability to do that made him one of the best keepers in the league and in the world.
DEFENDERS
CONTENDERS:
Tony Adams - Arsenal
Ricardo Carvalho - Chelsea
Marcel Desailly - Chelsea
Rio Ferdinand - West Ham, Leeds, Man United, QPR
Vincent Kompany - Man City
Gary Pallister - Man United
Jaap Stam - Man United
John Terry - Chelsea
Virgil Van Dijk - Southampton, Liverpool
Nemanja Vidic - Man United
LINEKERS, SHEARER AND RICHARDS' TOP 10
John Terry
Tony Adams
Rio Ferdinand
Virgil Van Dijk
Vincent Kompany
Nemanja Vidic
Jaap Stam
Marcel Desailly
Gary Pallister
Ricardo Carvalho
MY TOP 10:
John Terry
Rio Ferdinand
Toney Adams
Vincent Kompany
Nemanja Vidic
Virgil Van Dijk
Jaap Stam
Ricardo Carvalho
Gary Pallister
Marcel Desailly
Captain, leader, legend wins this one. Terry's positioning was first class and he was always in the right place at the right time whenever his team needed him to be. His leadership as well as his abilities as a defender played a key role in the success he achieved at Chelsea an especially in the two title winning season in 2005 and 2006.
Tony Adams was of course an exceptional defender and arguably the best of his generation as he always timed his tackles well, and was one of the reasons why Arsenal looked so solid defensively during the early years under Arsene Wenger. But I'd put Rio Ferdinand above him as he had more success at Man United. Some people might say that he only became good when he was partnered with Vidic, but I think that is not true as he was good before. He was a calm and composed figure in the United backline and he was also a good ball playing centre half.
Vincent Kompany did have injuries towards the end of his career, but he still deserves a place in the top 5. He made such a difference to City defensively when he was available because of his leadership and ability to make crucial interventions. Both of which were a key part of the success that City achieved during the first few years of the Sheikh Mansour era.
Virgil Van Dijk could've been higher up this list because of the difference he's made at Liverpool. But the players above him won more league titles. He has of course made a huge difference to Liverpool defensively by being a calm and composed figure in their backline and his influence played a key role in their 2020 title win. But Vidic sneaks in above him as he won more titles.
I wasn't around when Jaap Stam was at United, but I have heard about how solid a defender he was and seen videos of him in action. He was strong, always in the right place to make a key intervention and was great in the air. He was one of Man United's standout performers during the 1999 treble season and one of the best defenders in Europe.
Gary, Alan and Micah had Marcel Desailly above both Gary Pallister and Ricardo Carvalho which is understandable. But he never won the Premier League unlike Pallister and Carvalho, who both won multiple titles with Man United and Chelsea respectively. That is what but the pair of them above Desailly.
OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS: Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Gary Cahill
Sol Campbell was very unlucky to miss out as he was right up there among the the best defenders in the Premier League on his day. He was a key player for Arsenal throughout his time there and especially during the Invinsibles season, where his solid displays played a key role in them going the season undefeated. The Gunners struggled a lot defensively after he left and it took many years for them to find a good enough replacement.
Carragher did score a lot of own goals during his career, but as a defender he was very solid. Liverpool's initial defensive problems started after he retired as they lacked a leader in their backline. His leadership and reading of the game were a huge asset to Liverpool defensively.
Gary Cahill might not have been see as one of the best defenders in the league, but he still could've been mentioned in this list. He was a solid defender throughout his time at Chelsea and he played a key role in both title winning sides he was part of. He had a solid partnership with John Terry in the first one in 2015 and he stepped up as the leader in the second one in 2017 in the absence of Terry.
FULL BACKS
CONTENDERS:
Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool
Cesar Azpilicueta - Chelsea
Ashley Cole - Arsenal, Chelsea
Patrice Evra - Man United, West Ham
Denis Irwin - Man United, Wolves
Lauren - Arsenal
Graeme Le Saux - Blackburn, Chelsea, Southampton
Gary Neville - Man United
Stuart Pearce - Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham
Kyle Walker - Tottenham, Aston Villa, Man City
LINEKER, SHEARER AND RICHARDS' TOP 10
Ashley Cole
Patrice Evra
Denis Irwin
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Lauren
Cesar Azpilicueta
Kyle Walker
Stuart Pearce
Graeme Le Saux
Gary Neville
MY TOP 10:
Gary Neville
Ashley Cole
Patrice Evra
Kyle Walker
Cesar Azpilicueta
Denis Irwin
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Lauren
Graeme Le Saux
Stuart Pearce
THE VERDICT:
What Gary Neville is doing in 10th on Lineker, Shearer and Richards' list is beyond me. Neville for me is the best full-back in Premier League history because he was a solid defender, a leader and always posed a threat when he went forward. Ashley Cole was of course exceptional and is deservedly right up there among the best full backs in Premier League history as he was effective both defensively and in attack. But Neville shades it for me.
Patrice Evra comes in just behind them as he was like Neville and Cole, right up there among the best full-backs in the Premier League. Defensively he was very solid and he looked dangerous whenever he went forward. He played a key role in every Man United title winning side he was part of.
Kyle Walker has firmly established himself as one of if not the best full back in the Premier League over the last few years and he could be higher up this list in a few years time. His pace is a huge part of his game both defensively and offensively as it had enabled him to be effective in both departments. His game has gone onto another level since he's been at City working under one of the best managers ever in Guardiola.
Cesar Azpilicueta could play anywhere across the backline but he didn't always get the credit he deserved. He was effective in both departments when he played in either full-back position and his ability to play in both shows his versatility. The latter is why I have him in the top 5.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has changed the role of a full-back since he emerged in being able to create, which is very uncommon for a player in his position. He's been Liverpool's chief creator since he broke into the first team and the amount of assists he registers for a full-back was unheard before he came along. He could be higher up this list in a few years time or he could even be moved into midfield.
OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS: Andrew Robertson, Pablo Zabaleta, Branislav Ivanovic, Leighton Baines
If Alexander-Arnold was selected by the podcasts' producers, then why wasn't Andy Robertson. Robertson's energy and athleticism was key to how Liverpool played under Jurgen Klopp and like Alexander-Arnold, he's changed the role of a modern-day full back in being able to overlap and create chances. He only cost £8 million when he joined Liverpool from Hull in 2017 and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe.
Zabaleta was very unlucky not to be included on this list as he was arguably the best right back in the Premier League on his day. He could do a job both defensively and offensively and was one of City's key players in both titles wins in 2012 and 2014. He's better than some of the players on this list for sure.
Ivanovic was also very unlucky not to have been included on this list as he was a good all-round full back in that he was solid defensively and always a threat going forward. He was right up there with Zabaleta as one of the best right-backs in Premier League on his day alongside the good defensive work he did, he even loved to nick the odd goals when he went forward. He did the latter a lot during his time at Chelsea.
Leighton Baines was the best left back in the Premier League on his day because he was effective both defensively and going forward. His deliveries into the box both from open play and from set pieces were difficult for any defender to defend and he rarely let any attacker beat him one on one. He's another name who was unlucky not to make the cut.
MIDFIELDERS
CONTENDERS:
Kevin De Bruyne - Chelsea, Man City
Fernandinho - Man City
Steven Gerrard - Liverpool
Paul Ince - Man United, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolves
N'Golo Kante - Leicester, Chelsea
Roy Keane - Nottingham Forest, Man United
Frank Lampard - West Ham, Chelsea, Man City
Paul Scholes - Man United
Yaya Toure - Man City
Patrick Vieira - Arsenal, Man City
LINEKER, SHEARER AND RICHARDS' TOP 10
Steven Gerrard
Roy Keane
Paul Scholes
Patrick Vieira
Frank Lampard
Yaya Toure
N'Golo Kante
Kevin De Bruyne
Paul Ince
Fernandinho
MY TOP 10
Steven Gerrard
Paul Scholes
Frank Lampard
Kevin De Bruyne
Roy Keane
Yaya Toure
Patrick Vieira
N'Golo Kante
Fernandinho
Paul Ince
THE VERDICT:
One of the longest debates in English football is about to be answered in who is the greatest Premier League midfielder. For me is has to be Steven Gerrard because he had more to his game. He had the energy to run from box to box in helping the attacking players out at one end and tracking back to help his team out defensively. He could also play a wonderful pass from anywhere on the pitch and score goals. He carried Liverpool many times during his career and whenever they needed someone to single-handedly win them a game, Gerrard was often that man.
Paul Scholes was an exceptional football on his day as he was a wonderful passer of a football, could score goals and could dictate play in midfield. These attributes have earned him a lot of praise over the years from some of the best managers and players in the world including Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane. He was a wonderful player to watch.
Frank Lampard on the other hand was a goal scorer. He did have a wonderful passing range like Gerrard and Scholes but his main attribute was scoring goals. He always loved to break into the box and score goals and a lot of them. He's Chelsea's all-time leading goal scorer and his goals played a key role in the success he achieved at Chelsea.
I take it that this list was done only a couple of years ago because if it was done now, I think Gary, Alan and Micah might have Kevin De Bruyne a lot higher up their list. De Bruyne for me has to be in the top 5 because he's firmly established himself as one of if not the best midfielder in the world over the last few years. He can play any kind of pass from almost anywhere on the pitch and he has the ability to run the show from midfield, which he has done many times over the years. He's taken Man City onto a completely different level since he's been working under Pep Guardiola.
Roy Keane wasn't as technically gifted as the players ahead of him, but in terms of the other side of the game, there weren't many as good as him. He was determined to win every challenge he went into and he was determined for side to win. His personality got the best out of United as a team and his tenacity played a key role in the success he achieved at Old Trafford.
Yaya Toure is the next best box to box midfielder after the top three. He was brilliant at both sides of the game in tracking back to help his team out defensively and bursting forward to help his team out at the other end. He scored a lot of crucial goals during his time at City and without them they might not have achieved the success they achieved. He arrived at the start of the Sheikh Mansour era and played a big part in the success his City achieved during the opening years.
Fernandinho was the unsung hero of Man City's centurions side as he didn't get as much credit as most of his teammates. Him sitting in front of that back four allowed the forward players to do what they do and his ability to dictate play in midfield made him one of the best holding midfielders in Europe at the time.
OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS: David Silva, Michael Carrick, Cesc Fabregas
David Silva was very unlucky to be on this list and I'm surprised that he isn't. He took City onto another level when he arrived as he helped take them from being a team trying to break into the top four to a team that could challenge for the Premier League title. He was an absolute genius on the ball due to his creativity and ability to beat players.
Michael Carrick is one of the most underrated players in Premier League history as he didn't always get the credit he deserved. He had a wonderful range of passing and United were a much better team when he was in it in the years after Fergie.
Cesc Fabregas also could've made this list as he was a wonderful passer of a football and very creative. He could play any kind of pass from almost anywhere on the pitch as he had such wonderful vision. Only Ryan Giggs and Kevin De Bruyne have more assists than him.
WINGERS:
CONTENDERS:
Gareth Bale - Tottenham
David Beckham - Man United
Ryan Giggs - Man United
David Ginola - Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton
Eden Hazard - Chelsea
Marc Overmars - Arsenal
Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox - Blackburn
Cristiano Ronaldo - Man United
Raheem Sterling - Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea
Chris Waddle - Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland
LINEKER, SHEARER AND RICHARDS' TOP 10
Ryan Giggs
Cristiano Ronaldo
Gareth Bale
David Beckham
Chris Waddle
Eden Hazard
Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox
David Ginola
Raheem Sterling
Marc Overmars
MY TOP 10
Ryan Giggs
Cristiano Ronaldo
Eden Hazard
Gareth Bale
Raheem Sterling
David Beckham
David Ginola
Chris Waddle
Marc Overmars
Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox
THE VERDICT:
Ryan Giggs had to win this one and not just because he was a great winger, his longevity. He was obviously quick as he was a winger and his pace caused teams all kind of problems. As he got older though, he still that desire to contribute and score important goals for his team. He scored in nearly every season he played in and he played a part in every title winning side he was part of.
Cristiano Ronaldo had to take second spot because of the player he went on to become before he left. He was a player full of flicks and tricks when he first arrived and he was like that throughout his career. But he later added end product to his game and went on to become one of the best in the world. Had he stayed here longer the first time, he might've gone top of the list.
Eden Hazard had the potential to be the best in the world on his day and especially when he was at Chelsea. No one could get the ball off him when he was at his best because of how quick and skilful he was and both attributes enabled him to score some wonderful goals. He was a joy to watch whenever you saw him play.
Gareth Bale might've been higher up this list had he stayed in the Premier League longer. He was a left back when he first started out, but when he got moved forward, everyone began to see the best in him. That night at the San Siro was when he announced himself himself on the world stage and he later went on to establish himself as one of the best attacking players in Europe. All before earning that big money move to Real Madrid.
The same could be said about David Beckham who was the best crosser in the Premier League. His deliveries from both open play and from set pieces were second to none and there were not many players who could strike a ball as well as he could. He scored arguably the greatest Premier League goal ever when he scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1995.
Raheem Sterling just gets in ahead of Beckham as he's been in the Premier League longer than he was. He was a player with potential when he was at Liverpool and it wasn't until he went to City where he maximised that potential. His finishing improved massively under Pep Guardiola who developed him into the one of the best attacking players in Europe.
It's quite rare to have two players put together in Jason Wilcox and Stuart Ripley, who were both part of the Blackburn side that won the title in 1995. From what I have heard, they were responsible for providing width and the service for Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton.
OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Robert Pires
I'm very surprised that both Salah and Mane are not on this list and especially Salah. What he's done at Liverpool has been simply remarkable as he's gone onto to become one of the best players in world football. His goal record since he's been at Liverpool has been incredible and is surely now conisdered a Liverpool legend.
Mane lead the high press for that Liverpool side that won the league in 2020 with his energy levels and work rate off the ball. He stepped up as Liverpool's main man when Salah wasn't scoring and after being a top player when he arrived from Southampton, he went on to become one of the best attacking players in Europe.
Pires was also unlucky not to be on this list as he was a key part of that Arsenal side that went unbeaten in 2004. He could both create and score goals and a lot of them during his time at the Emirates as he became one of Arsene Wenger's main men.
GOALSCORERS
CONTENDERS:
Sergio Aguero - Man City
Andy Cole - Newcastle, Man United, Blackburn, Fulham, Man City, Portsmouth, Sunderland
Didier Drogba - Chelsea
Thierry Henry - Arsenal
Harry Kane - Tottenham
Alan Shearer - Blackburn, Newcastle
Luis Suarez - Liverpool
Crisitano Ronaldo - Man United
Wayne Rooney - Everton, Man United
Ruud Van Nistelrooy - Man United
LINEKER, SHEARER AND RICHARDS' TOP 10
Alan Shearer
Sergio Aguero
Thierry Henry
Wayne Rooney
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Andy Cole
Didier Drogba
Cristiano Ronaldo
Harry Kane
Luis Suarez
MY TOP 10
Alan Shearer
Thierry Henry
Sergio Aguero
Harry Kane
Wayne Rooney
Andy Cole
Ruud Van NIstelrooy
Didier Drogba
Cristiano Ronaldo
Luis Suarez
THE VERDICT:
Alan Shearer just had to come on top here for one simple reason: He's the Premier League's record goal scorer. Shearer scored all kinds of goals right throughout his career and they're what made him the player he was. He'll be happy that I have him at no.1 if I was ever to meet him.
Thierry Henry was an all-round striker on his day in that he could both create and score goals and many of them. He shares the most assists in a season record with Kevin De Bruyne with 20 and currentlly holds the recrd for most golden boots with 4. He was hands down the best striker in the Premier League during the 2000's as he could almost score any kind of goal.
Aguero took City onto the next level when he arrived from Atletico Madrid and he showed it in his debut season as his goals took them to their first Premier League title. He has more hat-tricks than any other player in Premier League history and had he had better luck with injuries, he might've won more golden boots and been above Thierry Henry in this list.
Wayne Rooney had a better career than Harry Kane in terms of trophies, but as a player I thought Kane was better. They were both similar in that they both liked to drop deep as well as score goals. Rooney's goal returns began to dry up as he reached his late-twenties whereas Kane kept on scoring at a more consistent rate when he was in that age zone.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy was relentless as a goal scorer during his time at Man United and the numbers he hit were just sensational. He scored 20+ goals in all but one season during his time at Old Trafford and he even held the record for goals scored in consecutive games, before it was taken by Jamie Vardy.
Drogba was a nightmare for any defender when he was at Chelsea as he was strong, physical, quick and good in the air. A lot of his goals came from headers as well as from volleys or strikes from the ground and when he was at it, not many defenders could handle him.
Ronaldo and Suarez weren't in the Premier League as long as the others when they had their best years in this league which is why they're as low as they are. Had Suarez not been as controversial as he was, he might've stayed in the league longer and been higher up the list.
OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS: Robbie Fowler, Robin Van Persie, Michael Owen
Fowler was very unlucky not to have been included as he was a goal scoring machine when at Liverpool. He scored pretty much every kind of goal during his time at Anfield and it's because of his goal scoring exploits that the Liverpool fans call him god.
Van Persie is also unlucky to miss out as he was arguably the best finisher in Europe during his prime. He won back to back golden boots in 2012 with Arsenal and 2013 with Man United and the kind of goals he could score were of the highest order. Especially that volley he scored against Aston Villa in 2013 to seal United their 13th and final title under Fergie.
Michael Owen did have a lot of injuries later on in his career, but when he was at his best, he was a great goal scorer. At Liverpool he looked like one of the best finishers in Europe because of the rate he was scoring goals at and especially for someone so young. His pace was a problem for any defence and had he stayed at Liverpool longer, the reds might've won a league title.
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