British newspaper Telegraph has unveiled a list of the top 100 players in the last 28 years, on the proviso that the nominated players must have graced the English Premier League since its inception.
On the 93rd position is retired Nigeria international Jay Jay Okocha, who played for Bolton Wanderers from 2002 – 2006.
The editors said about the former PSG and Fenerbahce maestro : “The Nigerian international was one of many eye-catching signings made by Sam Allardyce at Bolton in 2002 and he instantly became a fans’ favourite.”
“Bolton went from perennial relegation battlers to European football during his four years there, with Okocha giving the lie to the perception that Wanderers relied on brute force to succeed.
“As Bolton fans put it in one of their chants, he was “so good they named him twice.”
Austin Okocha scored 14 goals in 124 appearances for Bolton Wanderers, and the highlight of his stay at the Macron Stadium was inspiring the side to the final of the 2004 League Cup.
Football experts Henry Winter, Alan Smith, Jason Burt, Mark Ogden and Jeremy Wilson were among the panelists that drew up the list
Top 100 Players To Grace English Premier League
(1) Ryan Giggs
(2) Thiery Henry
(3) Roy Keane
(4) Alan Shearer
(5) Paul Scholes
(6) Cristiano Ronaldo
(7) Patrick Vieira
(cool Eric Cantona
(9) Dennis Bergkamp
(10) Frank Lampard
(11) Steven Gerrard
(12) John Terry
(13) Peter Schmeichel
(14) Wayne Rooney
(15) Didier Drogba
(16) Ashley Cole
(17) Rio Ferdinand
(18) Luis Suarez
(19) Yaya Toure
(20) Tony Adams
(21) David Beckham
(22) Gary Neville
(23) Andy Cole
(24) Vincent Kompany
(25) Robert Pires
(26) Robbie Fowler
(27) Robin Van Persie
(28) Nemanja Vidic
(29) Gary Speed
(30) Gianfranco Zola
(31) Jaap Stam
(32) Gareth Bale
(33) David Seaman
(34) Matt Le Tissier
(35) Sergio Aguero
(36) Ian Wright
(37) Cesc Fabregas
(38) Teddy Sheringham
(39) Ruud Van Nistelrooy
(40) Jamie Carragher
(41) Claude Makelele
(42) Michael Owen
(43) Xabi Alonso
(44) Edwin Van Der Sar
(45) Dwight Yorke
(46) Dennis Irwin
(47) David Silva
(48) Sol Campbell
(49) Emmanuel Petit
(50) Les Ferdinand
(51) Mark Hughes
(52) Fernado Torres
(53) Pablo Zabaleta
(54) Sami Hyppia
(55) Patrice Evra
(56) Ledley King
(57) Jurgen Klinsmann
(58) Marcel Desailly
(59) Lee Dixon
(60) Branislav Ivanovic
(61) Gary Pallister
(62) Peter Cech
(63) David Ginola
(64) Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer
(65) Carlos Tevez
(66) Steve Bruce
(67) Marc Overmars
(68) Luca Modric
(69) Nicky Butt
(70) Dimitar Berbatov
(71) Nicolas Anelka
(72) Steve McManaman
(73) Peter Beardsley
(74) Tim Cahill
(75) Ricardo Carvalho
(76) David Batty
(77) Michael Carrick
(78) Lucas Radebe
(79) Jimmy Floyd
Hassel-baink
(80) Paul Ince
(81) Joe Hart
(82) Martin Keown
(83) Gus Poyet
(84) Graeme Le Saux
(85) Nigel Winterburn
(86) David James
(87) Roberto Di Matteo
(88) Pepe Reina
(89) Paolo Di Canio
(90) Shay Given
(91) Chris Sutton
(92) Robin Keane
(93) Jay-Jay Okocha
(94) Kevin Phillips
(95) Michael Ballack
(96) Freddie Ljungberg
(97) Tim Howard
(98) Phil Neville
(99) Scott Parker
(100) John Barnes
The guy is a legend.
ReplyDeleteA true legend no doubt....nice to see my pepe reina
ReplyDeleteGreat legend no doubt at all
ReplyDeleteHe is a legend and deserve to be on the list definitely.
ReplyDelete