⚽Best Premier League Players of All Time
The Premier League has produced legends whose goals, trophies and moments defined an era. Ranking them requires weighing longevity, titles, individual brilliance and lasting impact. Vote to reorder the list and crown the true greats.
What counts: Best means sustained excellence measured by goals, assists, titles won and overall legacy; figures are approximate career PL totals only.
Eric Cantona▲ Rising
Cantona transformed United from challengers to champions, scoring 64 goals and winning four titles in five seasons with swagger and leadership. His 1996 kung-fu kick and subsequent ban became legendary. Cultural impact secures his ranking.
Goals: 64Appearances: 143PL Titles: 4Assists: 56Legacy Rating: 8.1/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsEric Cantona
14Kevin De Bruyne▲ Rising
De Bruyne has redefined midfield creativity at City with 68 goals and over 100 assists while winning six titles so far. His long-range passing and set-pieces have powered multiple trebles and doubles. Current dominance places him here.
Goals: 68Appearances: 250PL Titles: 6Assists: 105Legacy Rating: 8/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsKevin De Bruyne
13Roy Keane▲ Rising
Keane captained United to seven titles with ferocious tackling and leadership that set the tone for the Ferguson era. His 1999-2000 season and famous tunnel confrontations defined the club's dominance. Intensity and titles secure this position.
Goals: 33Appearances: 366PL Titles: 7Assists: 42Legacy Rating: 8.4/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsRoy Keane
12Sergio Agüero▲ Rising
Agüero delivered 184 goals and the most iconic Premier League moment with his 2012 title-clinching strike. Four titles and multiple Golden Boots cemented his status as City's greatest striker. Clinical finishing under pressure justifies his ranking.
Goals: 184Appearances: 275PL Titles: 4Assists: 46Legacy Rating: 8.9/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsSergio Agüero
11Wayne Rooney▲ Rising
Rooney burst onto the scene at 16 and became United's all-time top scorer with 208 goals while winning five titles. His 2011-12 season hat-trick against QPR sealed the title in dramatic fashion. Versatility across attack positions secures his high ranking.
Goals: 208Appearances: 491PL Titles: 5Assists: 103Legacy Rating: 9.1/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsWayne Rooney
10Ronaldo's 2003-09 spell turned him from promising winger into the world's best, scoring 84 goals and winning three consecutive titles. The 2008 Ballon d'Or season included 42 goals across all competitions. His athletic peak in England earns a top-five place despite shorter stay.
Goals: 84Appearances: 196PL Titles: 3Assists: 39Legacy Rating: 9/10
added by IJRin 9 rankingsCristiano Ronaldo
10Henry arrived at Arsenal in 1999 and transformed into the league's most elegant finisher, scoring 175 goals and winning two titles. His 2003-04 Invincibles season remains the benchmark for individual dominance. He earns the top spot for combining artistry, consistency and silverware.
Goals: 175Appearances: 258PL Titles: 2Assists: 74Legacy Rating: 9.6/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsThierry Henry
7Lampard scored 177 goals from midfield, a record that still stands, while winning three titles with Chelsea. His late runs and big-game goals made him indispensable. Consistency and goal tally from deep midfield earn this spot.
Goals: 177Appearances: 609PL Titles: 3Assists: 102Legacy Rating: 8.8/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsFrank Lampard
6Shearer holds the all-time scoring record with 260 goals across Blackburn and Newcastle, carrying both clubs to titles and near-misses. His 1994-95 Golden Boot season delivered Blackburn's only Premier League crown. Shearer tops longevity lists and remains the standard for pure goal-scoring.
Goals: 260Appearances: 441PL Titles: 1Assists: 64Legacy Rating: 9.4/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsAlan Shearer
4Terry led Chelsea to five titles as the defensive rock and captain, winning multiple Golden Gloves. His 2005 and 2006 title-winning seasons showcased leadership and aerial dominance. Longevity at the back justifies inclusion.
Goals: 41Appearances: 492PL Titles: 5Assists: 12Legacy Rating: 8.3/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsJohn Terry
4Salah has scored 150+ goals for Liverpool since 2017, winning the title in 2020 and multiple Golden Boots with explosive pace and finishing. His 2017-18 debut season of 44 goals remains historic. Goal-scoring consistency earns this ranking.
Goals: 150Appearances: 280PL Titles: 1Assists: 65Legacy Rating: 7.9/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsMohamed Salah
4Bergkamp brought Dutch flair and vision to Arsenal, scoring 87 goals and assisting countless more across three title wins. The 2002 hat-trick against Newcastle and non-flying status became folklore. Technical brilliance earns this spot.
Goals: 87Appearances: 315PL Titles: 3Assists: 94Legacy Rating: 8.2/10
added by IJRDennis Bergkamp
3Giggs won 13 titles across 22 seasons, providing the left-wing dynamism that powered United's dominance from 1992 onward. His 1999 FA Cup semi-final solo goal and countless crosses defined an era. Longevity and trophy count place him among the all-time elite.
Goals: 109Appearances: 632PL Titles: 13Assists: 162Legacy Rating: 9.3/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsRyan Giggs
1Vieira anchored Arsenal's midfield through two titles and the Invincibles season with unmatched physicality and leadership. His 2004 battle with Roy Keane epitomized the era's intensity. Defensive dominance earns his ranking.
Goals: 31Appearances: 307PL Titles: 3Assists: 35Legacy Rating: 8.5/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPatrick Vieira
1Schmeichel's commanding presence and shot-stopping helped United win five titles in the 1990s, including the 1999 treble. His 1995-96 Golden Glove season set defensive standards. Goalkeeping excellence earns this spot.
Goals: 0Appearances: 292PL Titles: 5Assists: 1Legacy Rating: 7.3/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsPeter Schmeichel
0Fowler scored 120 goals for Liverpool with natural finishing and humor that endeared him to fans, winning the 1995-96 Golden Boot. His partnership with Rush and later Owen defined an era. Goal-scoring instinct earns inclusion.
Goals: 120Appearances: 266PL Titles: 0Assists: 32Legacy Rating: 7.2/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsRobbie Fowler
0Sheringham scored 146 goals across Tottenham and United, winning three titles with clever link-up play and big-game goals. His 1999-2000 title-winning season at 34 showed longevity. Versatility and trophies place him here.
Goals: 146Appearances: 366PL Titles: 3Assists: 58Legacy Rating: 7.1/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsTeddy Sheringham
-1Beckham's crossing and free-kicks powered United to six titles between 1995-2003, becoming a global icon. The 1999 Champions League final stoppage-time cross remains iconic. Cultural impact and titles place him here.
Goals: 62Appearances: 265PL Titles: 6Assists: 80Legacy Rating: 7.6/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsDavid Beckham
-2Kane scored 213 goals for Tottenham and became England's all-time leading scorer while winning the 2024 Golden Boot at the Euros. His link-up play and penalty-box presence made him a modern great. Goal record without major titles still earns inclusion.
Goals: 213Appearances: 320PL Titles: 0Assists: 45Legacy Rating: 7.8/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsHarry Kane
-3Steven Gerrard▼ Falling
Gerrard dragged Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League and multiple near-misses at the title with 120 goals and iconic leadership. The 2006 FA Cup final comeback and 2009 hat-trick against Aston Villa remain legendary. Captaincy and clutch performances secure his place.
Goals: 120Appearances: 504PL Titles: 0Assists: 92Legacy Rating: 8.7/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsSteven Gerrard
-4Drogba scored 104 goals and delivered four titles plus the 2012 Champions League for Chelsea, often peaking in cup finals. His physical presence and penalty-box dominance changed games. Trophy-winning impact places him here.
Goals: 104Appearances: 254PL Titles: 4Assists: 29Legacy Rating: 8.6/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsDidier Drogba
-4Van Dijk transformed Liverpool's defense upon arrival, winning the 2020 title and 2019 Champions League with commanding presence. His 2019 Ballon d'Or near-miss highlighted defensive excellence. Leadership at the back secures this spot.
Goals: 15Appearances: 200PL Titles: 1Assists: 12Legacy Rating: 7.7/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsVirgil van Dijk
-4Cole scored 187 goals across Newcastle and United, winning five titles with clinical finishing alongside Dwight Yorke. His 1999-2000 season partnership delivered the treble. Goal tally and trophies earn this ranking.
Goals: 187Appearances: 318PL Titles: 5Assists: 43Legacy Rating: 7.5/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsAndy Cole
-8Ferdinand anchored United's defense for 12 years, winning six titles with composure and leadership alongside Vidic. His 2008 Champions League win capped a dominant era. Defensive reliability earns this ranking.
Goals: 7Appearances: 312PL Titles: 6Assists: 9Legacy Rating: 7/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsRio Ferdinand
-9Owen won the 2001 Ballon d'Or with 118 goals for Liverpool, including the famous 2001 FA Cup final solo goal. His pace and finishing defined the early 2000s. Early peak and Golden Boot win secure inclusion.
Goals: 118Appearances: 216PL Titles: 1Assists: 30Legacy Rating: 7.4/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsMichael Owen
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