Best Starting XI of Foreign Players to have Played in the Premier League

Since its inception, the Premier League has seen some fantastic talents take the field. They have entertained the crowd by their footballing abilities and have lit up the league. Many among them have been foreigners, players who are not a part of the national teams of England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Today, we attempt to put up a Starting XI which comprises of some of the best Foreigners to have played in the Premier League.

The team is largely dominated by French players, who take up four slots, but are they good enough to win the Premier League? You be the judge.

Skipper: Nemanja Vidic

Formation: 4-3-3

#1 Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Denmark)

Undoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Peter Schmeichel was unconquerable in goal at times. He was the backbone of the team which helped Sir Alex Ferguson built an empire at Old Trafford and the great Dane has a cabinet full of trophies to show for it.

On the field, the United goalkeeper was legendary. He had exceptional shot stopping skills and at times it would seem like he could even fly. He was also very vocal at the back and a true leader in the team. His mere presence in the team made the players feel invincible.

#2 Left Back: Patrice Evra (France)

After he joined Manchester United, Patrice Evra took some time to get used to the rigors of the Premier League. However, once he came to terms with the nature of the game, Evra grew from strength to strength and soon established himself as the best left back in the league. He was defensively strong and ambitious in the attack. The Frenchman was full of running on the field and had a reputation of being a fighter.

Evra has been in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on three occasions during his playing time at Manchester United.

#3 Right Back: Bacary Sagna (France)

The Frenchman was phenomenal for the Gunners, where he spent 7 full seasons, making 284 appearances and scoring 5 goals. After joining Arsenal at the start of the 2007/08 season, Sagna went on to become a regular feature in Arsene Wenger's team. He was so influential at times that the Frenchman was often regarded as one of the best right-backs of the Premier League.

#4 Center Back: Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)

The former Manchester United Skipper would walk into any World Eleven team. Like Evra, the Serbian had a tough time adjusting to life in the Premier League, but pretty soon, he was one of the best in the league in his position. With Vidic guarding the back, Manchester United went from strength to strength and won everything in their way.

The Serbian's no-nonsense defending and bravery is a part of the United folklore and he is the perfect man to lead this team.

#5 Center Back: Vincent Kompany (Belgium)

The Belgian is another world-class foreign defender to have played in the Premier League and he partners his long term rival Nemanja Vidic at the heart of this defense. Kompany was the steel at the back which enabled Manchester City to rise out of the shadow of their city rivals in recent years and just like Vidic, he is a brave warrior who rarely loses battles on the pitch.

#6 Central Midfield: Patrick Vieira (France)

The fiery Frenchman starts in the center of the midfield in this team. Patrick Vieira, during his time as an Arsenal player, was one of the best in the world in his position. He was fiercely competitive in the field and was a winner to the core.

The Frenchman brought all these attributes to this team and ensured that they always have a stomach for a fight.Vieira was a fantastic tackler and liked winning back the ball to initiate attacks.

#7 Central Midfield: David Silva (Spain)

The Spaniard started out as a silky attacker, but has recently added a steel in his game that makes his indispensable in the Manchester City midfield. Silva has tremendous ball control and even though he is more suited to an attacking role, he can be just as comfortable in the midfield.

With a strong ball winner and tackler beside him, Silva likes dictating play from deep, where his outstanding passing abilities can break down any defense. The Spaniard is also a fantastic finisher and besides orchestrating the attack, can also add goals from the midfield.

#8 Attacking Midfielder: Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands)

Few players have been able to add romanticism to the No. 10 role as Dennis Bergkamp. Even though he started out as a right winger, Bergkamp finally found his feet at Arsenal, as the second striker or in the attacking midfield. It is a role that was tailor-made for Bergkamp and the Arsenal No. 10 was outstanding here for his club.

Due to his ability to spot a pass and play defense-splitting through balls, the Dutchman was one of the most feared players in the league. He was the complete package, he had excellent close control, dribbling abilities and quick feet. His balance and turn of pace left many defenders for dead as well.

#9 Left Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

There's nothing much to say about Cristiano Ronaldo that has not been said earlier. The Portuguese introduced himself to the world by running down the left hand side of the United attack. It was at Manchester United that he established himself as one of the best in the world.

The Portuguese is consistently one of the most feared strikers in the world. He has the perfect mix of speed, ball control and finishing abilities. His goal scoring abilities is one of the best in the world and no one else could be selected ahead of him in this team.

#10 Center Forward: Sergio Aguero (Argentina)

The Argentinean has steadily transformed into one of the legends of the Premier League and is already rising steadily in the all-time top scorers list. Aguero is currently 8th among the top scorers but could finish the season as 6th.

Aguero is a fantastic finisher, who is extremely intelligent and strong on the ball. The Argentinean also has fantastic close control and dribbling abilities and is among the best strikers in the world right now.

#11 Right Forward: Thierry Henry (France)

Arguably the greatest foreigner to play in the Premier League ever, Thierry Henry remains the only French player to win the European Golden Shoe. The man joined Arsenal from Juventus and soon became a legend of the game. Henry remains Arsenal's record goalscorer and has also scored the most league goals for the Gunners.

The Frenchman was unplayable at times during his time as an Arsenal player.He had an eye for the spectacular and with him in the team, one can be assured of goals.

Here's the full team:

Edited by Jong Ching Yee