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Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal)
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From his signing in 2003 to his departure in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo left a legacy in the Premier League that will never be forgotten. His skills, technique and shot power developed rapidly during his successful period at United. Ronaldo went from being an over exuberant right winger to becoming the most feared goal scorer in the Premier League. The 2006–07 season proved to be the breakout year for Ronaldo, as he broke the 20 goal barrier for the first time and picked up his first league title with Manchester United.
That season really propelled Ronaldo to the top of the English game as he became the second player (the first being Andy Gray in 1977) to win both the PFA Player’s Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year. While he started as a wide right winger he soon changed his game and was then switched to the left wing where he could use his right foot for devastating effect.
Ronaldo expressed his gratitude towards Ferguson for helping him develop as a player, saying, "He's been my father in sport, one of the most important factors and most influential in my career.” During the 2008 season he won his first Ballon d’Or after helping United complete the double of the Premiership and Champions League. His free kick against Portsmouth will go down as one of the greatest free kicks in history. It was simply out of this world. His technique has now become the norm and many fellow professionals try and copy his style of free kick taking.
His transfer to Real Madrid fetched £80million for Manchester United who at the time had huge debts. This transfer helped ease the burden of debt that Manchester Unites had accumulated after the Glazer’s takeover of the club in 2005. He has been one of the greats of the Premier League and simply a joy to watch.
Appearances: 196, Goals: 84
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United and Wales)
Ryan Giggs is the only player on the list to play every single season of the Premier League and this alone is testament to his greatness. He is the most decorated player in the history of English football. At the start and for the majority of his career he has played as a left winger, he now however has moved into the centre of midfield. Sir Alex Ferguson said why he changed Giggs’ position in an interview, "(Giggs) is a very valuable player, he will be 35 this November but at 35, he can be United's key player.
At 25, Giggs would shatter defenders with his run down the flank, but at 35, he will play deeper.” Giggs is the longest serving player for Manchester United and has to be the greatest ever winger to have graced the Premier League. An age-less genius, he holds the club record for most appearances in competetive games. He broke this record during the Champions League Final in 2008. At the end of the 1993-94 season he became the first player in history to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
Down the years, Ryan Giggs has been known for scoring great goals. His greatest and most important was his solo-goal against Arsenal in the replay of the 1999 FA Cup semi-final which kept United’s treble dream alive. During extra time, Giggs picked up possession after Patrick Vieira gave the ball away, then ran from the half-way line, dribbled past the whole Arsenal back line, including Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown before launching his left-footed strike just under David Seaman's bar and beyond his reach. During his long career he won 13 Premier League titles.
Appearances: 632, Goals: 114
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, France)
While Alan Shearer was maybe a better goal scorer, Didier Drogba could bully defenders more with his physical strength and Ruud van Nistelrooy was maybe a better player in the 6-yard box, Henry however just edges it with his sheer magic. His goal scoring records were incredible and what makes that record even more extraordinary was the variety of goals he scored down the years. From his brilliant solo run to score against Liverpool to his majestic back heel against Charlton, he has scored some truly special goals. The best of the lot has to be his perfect strike against Manchester United. It was sheer brilliance by Henry and the shot left Fabian Barthez completely flat footed and baffled on his goal line.
One of the reasons for Henry's impressive play up front is his ability to calmly score from one-on-ones. This, combined with his exceptional pace, meant that he could get in behind defenders regularly enough to score. Arsenal never had any problems winning silverware with Henry. His skills and technique was sublime. He was the heartbeat of the Arsenal side that remained unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 season.
Thierry Henry was inducted into the English Football Hall of fame in 2008 and he will be remembered as one of the true legends of the Premier League.
Appearances: 258, Goals: 175
Substitutes (Honourable Mentions): David Seaman, Rio Ferdinand, Patrick Vieria, Frank Lampard, Dennis Bergkamp, Alan Shearer, Didier Drogba
(Note: Appearances and goals as of May 28, 2014)
