Premier League Players Who Redefined An Era

The Premier League was established in 1992, and since then, numerous players have come and gone from the league. The Premier League has hosted legends who not only played to the highest standards of football but also transformed the way the game was played. Not only have these exceptional players shaped the way the sport is played, but they have also impacted betting on sports, too. Footballers in the history of the Premier League have had a massive impact on clubs. We have seen some homegrown talents emerge from their respective academies, break through, and leave a lasting impact on their clubs and the Premier League era. In this article, we will cover some of the impactful players that have shaped the Premier League as it is today.

1990s

Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer was a classic, old-school number 9 who had a keen eye for a goal. He is mostly remembered for his time at Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, and, of course, as the leading Premier League goalscorer of all time to this day. Alan Shearer was part of the inaugural Premier League season in 1992 with Blackburn Rovers, and 3 years later, he led Rovers to their first-ever Premier League title. He joined his hometown club, Newcastle United, and continued to score goals, becoming a symbol of powerful, clinical strikers.

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona left an impact on the pitch that extended beyond his goals and assists; he also brought about a cultural change. Cantona brought charisma into the Premier League whilst also being one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s main men. Cantona was yet another physical, clinical striker who contributed to Manchester United’s dominance. Alongside the physical side, Cantona brought a superb level of technical skill, which was quite rare for centre-forwards at the time. The personality of Cantona was very influential in the globalisation of the Premier League.

2000s

Thierry Henry

When Thierry Henry arrived in the Premier League, he brought more than just goals. He redefined forward play in the league, whilst transforming Arsenal in the process. Henry possessed frightening speeds to break the lines of defence, alongside elegance and a calmness in front of goal which set him apart from the rest of the attackers in the league at the time. He was part of “The Invincibles”, which has impacted the Premier League and global football in its own right by setting a tempo for clubs to aim to win the league unbeaten. The levels that Henry set were the foundations for other Premier League forwards to follow.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo entered the Premier League as a young boy and left as a Ballon d’Or winner, ready to conquer the world. Along the way, he shaped an era, bringing athleticism, skill, and mentality to the top flight of English football. His success for Manchester United in the 2000s helped cement the Premier League as the best league in the world.

2010s

Sergio Agüero

Sergio Agüero joined Manchester City in the early 2010s as the club underwent a revolutionary transformation. Agüero played a pivotal role in the transformation of Manchester City and was instrumental in securing their first Premier League title in 2012. To win the title, Agüero cemented himself as a City legend, scoring a 93rd-minute winner to steal the Premier League from rivals Manchester United. Agüero scored 184 goals in the Premier League, making him the fourth-highest goal scorer and one of the greatest to play in the league.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard was the face of the Premier League for much of the 2010s and was a joy to watch for everyone. Hazard was a creative left winger who played for Chelsea throughout the 2010s. Hazard is best known for his exceptional dribbling skills and ability to create goals and chances out of nothing. Hazard was instrumental in changing the way modern wingers play, excelling at cutting in from the left and creating chances with an efficiency never seen before. Like other players on this list, Hazard led his team to the Premier League title in the 2016/17 season.

2020s

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has changed the way football is played by dictating games with his impressive passing and vision. De Bruyne redefined creativity in the Premier League. De Bruyne played an integral role in Manchester City’s success, dictating games and unlocking defences with his passing range. During his time at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne won the domestic treble.

Mohammed Salah

Mohammed Salah is one of the greatest wingers in Premier League history, who has redefined the standards set for wingers. Since joining Liverpool, Salah has consistently thrived, with scoring and assisting coming as second nature to the Egyptian. Mo Salah has been pivotal to Liverpool’s successes and remains an influential forward to this day.