SWLondoner’s Tristan Carlyle has a go at finding a starting XI from the League’s all-star 80-strong shortlist.
The Premier League is approaching the end of its 20th season, and to celebrate fans are invited to vote on an all-star team going back to 1992.
Here’s our attempt at finding a starting XI from the League’s 80-strong shortlist.
Goalkeeper – Peter Schmeichel
The great Dane is the most imposing figure to fill the posts in Premier League history, and coupled with his incredible reaction speed and athleticism there could be no other choice.
A collection of his best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmQubVSIzcU
Right Back – Gary Neville
An absolute rock in United’s defence for over a decade. An eight-time league winner and England’s most capped right back.
Centre Back – Marcel Desailly
A defender who could be trusted to hold on to the ball for longer than a few seconds and fast, too. Can now be seen bizarrely commenting on Ghana matches for ITV.
Centre Back – Tony Adams
The heart of Arsenal’s famous back four of the nineties. One tough bastard who provided the kind of discipline that every defence needs from its leader.
Left Back – Ashley Cole
His Champions League performances against Barcelona show that at 31, Ashley Cole is firmly in his prime. An extremely composed defender whose pace and crossing ability have also powered Chelsea’s 4-3-3 for years.
Right Midfielder – Cristiano Ronaldo
It feels perverse to restrain Ronaldo to this position. He arrived at from Sporting Lisbon a flashy winger and left the most complete attacking player in the world.
Free-kicks don’t come more accurate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WmpgeY7tow
Central Midfielder – Claude Makelele
Claude left Real Madrid for Chelsea after a pay row – he was earning less than Steve McManaman – as the Galactico’s piled up attacking talents. Zinedine Zidane fumed: “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?”.
Claude became Chelsea’s driving force in the most successful period of the club’s history.
Central Midfielder – Paul Scholes
Scholes’ passing ability is without rival in the Premier League. His deadly accuracy extends to finding the net – he surpassed 100 career goals in 2010.
Left Midfielder – Ryan Giggs
The nominees include Arjen Robben and Gareth Bale, who have proven themselves the best two left wingers in the world during the last two seasons. When they’ve managed to repeat this feat for over 600 matches, I’ll reconsider.
Forward – Thierry Henry
Devastating pace, exceptional ball control, decisiveness in front of goal, dead ball specialist… this could be a long list. Over 300 career strikes – he sits atop both Arsenal’s and France’s goal scoring charts. Untouchable.
His top 25 goals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko5jBnTn9hU&feature=related
Forward – Alan Shearer
Shearer scored 260 Premier League goals, demonstrating sheer power with both feet and his thumping headers. The kind of consistency current English strikers can only dream of.
Most Notable Omission – Didier Drogba
It’s outrageous that double-d is absent from the nominees. Something of a combination of Henry and Shearer’s best qualities, though a touch more tempestuous.
Make your selection at: http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/20-seasons/ and let us know below!
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