When the Premier League celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2002, the Team of the Decade pretty much picked itself.
Patrick Vieira, Gary Neville, Eric Cantona... the players to include were obvious. Now, however, it's a little bit more complicated. It's exactly 30 years since English football's brave new era got underway and some truly remarkable footballers have graced the competition since.
It's impossible to pick a revamped XI, so Mirror Football have decided to create an ultimate 30-man squad of Premier League icons. To ensure it's balanced, we've selected three goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielders and seven forwards.
Even this was tricky, with several legends missing out on a spot. We know you'll probably disagree with our selection, so feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Goalkeepers
This was undoubtedly the easiest department to select. Peter Schmeichel was regarded as the Premier League's greatest goalkeeper in 2002 and 2012. The Dane was certainly great, winning five titles and three Golden Gloves during his time at Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
If Schmeichel is still revered as the greatest stopper in Premier League history, then Petr Cech is a very close second. The former Czech international made more than 440 league appearances for Chelsea and Arsenal, winning four titles and a joint-record four Golden Gloves - an achievement he shares with former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Although Hart shares that prestigious record with Cech, he doesn't make our 30-man squad. That honour goes to Edwin van der Sar for his 10 glorious seasons at Fulham and Manchester United. The one-time Golden Glove winner lifted four Premier League titles and holds the competition's record for the most games without conceding - 14 matches!
Which 'keeper do you feel shouldn't have been left out? HAVE YOUR SAY
Full-backs
Many people still view Gary Neville as the ultimate Premier League right-back after he inspired Manchester United to eight titles. He was voted in the greatest XI in 2002 and 2012 and would've achieved even more success if it wasn't for a series of injuries at the end of his career.
In terms of the modern-day right-back, it's hard to look past Kyle Walker . The four-time Premier League champion has achieved more domestic success than his contemporaries - Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James - and has proven himself to be reliable in defence and attack. The 32-year-old is also well travelled, representing the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and an all-conquering Manchester City in the big time.
A defender who excelled on the other flank, Ashley Cole is one of the most dependable figures in Premier League history. The left-back won three Premier League titles during his time at Arsenal and Chelsea was named in the PFA Team of the Year four times. Has there been a better left-back since?
Patrice Evra is known for being a character off the pitch, yet he was brilliant on it during his time at Manchester United. The Frenchman won five Premier League titles at Old Trafford and was named in the PFA Team of the Year three times. Evra also played for West Ham.
Last but not least is Denis Irwin , who is perhaps the most complete full-back English football has ever seen. The Irishman was brilliant with both feet and could slot in at left-back or right-back. He also offered goals and assists, helping Manchester United win seven titles. He finished his Premier League career at Wolves.
Centre-backs
When it comes to the heart of the defence, it's hard to look past John Terry . The Chelsea legend was an ever-present figure in the Premier League for nearly two decades, winning five titles. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year four times.
Tony Adams missed few games during the first decade of the Premier League and has the medals to prove it, winning two titles. He won the First Division twice before the Premier League era started in 1992 (yes, football existed before then) and famously scored Arsenal's fourth goal in their 4-0 win against Everton in 1998, which clinched domestic glory.
Rio Ferdinand should be recognised as the most complete centre-back in Premier League history. Blessed with pace, strength and intelligence, he was viewed as a 'Rolls Royce' of a defender by most and has the medals to go with that - winning six titles at Manchester United. The Englishman also played for West Ham, Leeds and QPR in the big time.
In the modern game, Virgil van Dijk is viewed as the benchmark for all Premier League centre-backs. Like Ferdinand, he also has all the attributes and rarely misses a game for Liverpool - bar his serious knee injury during the 2020/21 campaign. He was named the Premier League's Player of the Season in 2018/19, lifting the title 12 months later. Van Dijk has also played for Southampton.
Our final defender is the man who was at the heart of Manchester City's rise. When fit, Vincent Kompany was an immense figure at the back and few will forget his memorable strike against Leicester in May 2019. A brilliant leader too, there's a reason he's a four-time Premier League winner.
Have we missed any centre-backs who should be included? Ricardo Carvalho? Sol Campbell? Jaap Stam? TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS
Midfielders
Although he never won the title, it's impossible to ignore Steven Gerrard . The Liverpool skipper was the complete midfielder, flying into any challenge and producing moments of magic us mere mortals could only dream of. He'll never be able to escape that slip against Chelsea in May 2014 - as Liverpool went on to miss out on Premier League glory - but that doesn't diminish his genius.
Gerrard's great contemporary was Frank Lampard , who does have the medals in the bag. He won the title three times at Chelsea and scored a ridiculous amount of goals in the process - 177, to be precise. Only five players have scored more and they're all strikers. Lampard also played for West Ham and Manchester City.
Paul Scholes is another obvious name in our Premier League squad. The Manchester United legend played 499 games in the competition, winning a remarkable 11 titles. The robust midfielder was an unbelievable passer of the ball and the fact Manchester United haven't won the title since his retirement in May 2013 speaks volumes about his contribution.
A decade ago, there were few better midfielders in the Premier League than Yaya Toure . The Ivorian won three titles at Manchester City and his contribution during the 2013/14 campaign shouldn't be forgotten, scoring 20 league goals from central midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne has since filled Toure's shoes at the Etihad and is arguably the Premier League's best player right now. The Belgian creates and scores goals at will and was deservedly named the competition's Player of the Season last time out. He's won four titles at Manchester City, although his ill-fated spell at Chelsea does tarnish his glittering CV.
Much of Arsenal's success during the first decade of the Premier League - winning three titles under Arsene Wenger - can be pinned on Patrick Vieira . The Frenchman was a tough leader in the middle of the park and the Gunners failed to replace him after his move to Juventus in the summer of 2005. He returned to England to finish his career at Manchester City.
Vieira's big rival was Roy Keane , a leader who was equally as tough. Few men ever got the better of the Manchester United icon in midfield and he's got the medals to prove that, winning seven titles under Sir Alex Ferguson. It's important not to forget about his emergence at Nottingham Forest under the late, great Brian Clough.
Wide midfielders
Ryan Giggs is the most-decorated player in Premier League history, winning a record 13 titles at Manchester United. He is also the only player to have played in 22 successive Premier League seasons - scoring in 21 of those - and holds the record for the most assists (162).
David Beckham is renowned for being one of the most glamorous footballers of all time, but we shouldn't forget about how brilliant he was on the pitch. The Englishman won six titles at Old Trafford before jetting off to play in Spain, the US, Italy and France.
Our last midfielder is David Silva , who remains an absolute genius in attacking midfield or the left flank. Manchester City were fortunate to have him for the best part of his career, inspiring them to four Premier League titles. The Spaniard was superb until the very end, earning his third PFA Team of the Year nod in his final season at the Etihad.
These guys will allow us to dissect eras, bringing balance to our lineups and allowing us to go back to the wholly favoured 4-4-2 of the league's early days if required, rather than the more en vogue current one striker systems.
Does Beckham deserve his spot? What about David Ginola? Who else did we miss? HAVE YOUR SAY
Forwards
When you think of goals, you think of Alan Shearer . The former Blackburn and Newcastle striker was prolific during his playing days, scoring a record 260 Premier League goals. And to think, his career started before the Premier League era. In total, he scored a whopping 283 goals in England's first tier. He won the title with Blackburn in 1994/95.
Shearer's record could be gone in the near future thanks to the brilliance of Harry Kane . The Englishman, still only 29, has scored 184 goals in the Premier League and has a great chance of surpassing Shearer's tally if he stays fit and in England. The Tottenham ace has never won a major trophy, but that shouldn't be held against him. He made three Premier League appearances for Norwich during a loan spell in 2012/13.
In terms of entertainment, look no further than Thierry Henry . The Frenchman was outstanding during his time at Arsenal, scoring 175 Premier League goals in just 258 games. Yet it was the manner of his goals that really impressed, often gliding past defenders with ease. He won two Premier League titles with the Gunners.
Sergio Aguero boasts a similar record to Henry, scoring 184 goals in 275 Premier League games for Manchester City. The little Argentine was deadly in front of goal, wasting few chances with his right foot. He left the Etihad in May 2021 with five titles to his name.
Unlike his contemporaries, Wayne Rooney had more to his game than just goals. The five-time Premier League champion, who was named Player of the Season in 2009/10, scored 208 goals and provided 103 assists for Manchester United and Everton. That puts him second on the all-time scorer list, while only Giggs and Cesc Fabregas produced more assists.
When it comes to a modern-day forward, Mohamed Salah certainly fits the bill. The 30-year-old has scored 119 goals in just 181 games for Liverpool, helping them win the title in 2019/20. He boasts the record for the most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season (32). Let's just try to forget about his tricky spell at Chelsea!
The final player in our squad is the greatest player to grace the Premier League, despite playing in La Liga at his peak. Even to this day, Cristiano Ronaldo can't be ignored. The three-time title winner has 102 goals in the competition and needs just two more to score the 700th of his glittering club career. Manchester United are at their lowest ebb since the Premier League started and will be hoping those two goals come sooner rather than later.
Mirror Football's ultimate Premier League squad in full
Goalkeepers: Peter Schmeichel, Petr Cech, Edwin van der Sar
Defenders: Denis Irwin, Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Kyle Walker, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Virgil van Dijk, John Terry, Tony Adams, Vincent Kompany
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero.
