The Premier League announces a 23-player shortlist for their Hall of Fame after the revealing of two players on Monday morning.
Two centre-forwards, both gifted with natural skill and talent who have written their names in Premier League history. Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry were the first two inductees of the #PLHallOfFame.
Fans have now been given the chance to vote for the six who will join them in the class of 2021, and they have 23 players to choose from.
Legendary midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are among those who can be selected, having defined the Premier League era for Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.
In order to be eligible, players have to have retired by August 2020, so that ruled out Wayne Rooney who only officially hung up his boots in January.
As the Premier League announces a 23-player shortlist for their Hall of Fame, see who are the options below…
Tony Adams (Arsenal)
The Premier League said: Tony Adams was Mr Arsenal, spending his entire career at the club and leading his team to Premier League titles in 1997/98 and 2001/02.
As captain, Adams was a formidable leader and defender, keeping 115 clean sheets across the opening decade of the competition.
Of his 12 Premier League goals, the most memorable came in the 4-0 win over Everton that confirmed the 1997/98 title.
His foray into attack and sublime finish seemed to encapsulate his adaptation to the modernisation of the game, on and off the pitch, that was led by manager Arsene Wenger after his arrival in 1996.
David Beckham (Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Aside from the glamour, David Beckham brought to the Premier League a range of passing it had never experienced.
His right foot set the Premier League alight on the opening weekend of 1996/97, when he scored for Manchester United from the halfway line at Wimbledon.
He tormented opponents with whipped, curling crosses that were impossible to defend and easy for team-mates to score as United claimed six titles with Beckham.
And from free-kicks the winger scored 18 Premier League goals, a total no player has threatened.
Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal)
The Premier League said: Dennis Bergkamp’s arrival in 1995 introduced the Premier League to a new level of skill that inspired Arsenal to three PL titles and opened the competition’s borders to more international stars.
The Dutchman’s technical ability and eye for a pass gave the competition some of its most entertaining play.
As well as providing gilt-edged chances for team-mates, Bergkamp scored some spectacular goals, including the strike against Newcastle United which was voted by fans as the best goal in the Premier League’s first 25 years.
Sol Campbell (Arsenal, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Tottenham)
The Premier League said: After nine seasons as the mainstay of the Tottenham Hotspur defence, Sol Campbell made the controversial move across north London to Arsenal in 2001, where, in his first season, he helped the Gunners to their second Premier League title.
Campbell was then part of the 2003/04 “Invincibles”, where his displays at the back were key in Arsene Wenger’s team going unbeaten in the league that season.
He is one of only three central defenders to make more than 500 Premier League appearances.
Eric Cantona (Leeds, Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Eric Cantona was a catalyst for Manchester United’s dominance of the Premier League in the 1990s after his shock move from defending champions Leeds United early in the competition’s inaugural 1992/93 campaign.
Cantona helped United to end their 26-year title drought that year, and they were Premier League champions four times in five seasons at Old Trafford before his retirement in May 1997.
The Frenchman inspired his team with his approach and his skill that brought plenty of magic moments, such as his sublime lob versus Sunderland in December 1996.
We continue our look as the Premier League announces their 23-player shortlist for their new Hall of Fame…
Andy Cole (Blackburn, Man Utd, Newcastle – 6 others)
The Premier League said: Andrew Cole came alive in an opponent’s penalty area. Deadly with both feet and head, his eye for goal helped Manchester United to five Premier League titles.
He was the first player to score five times in a Premier League match when he starred in a 9-0 victory over Ipswich Town in March 1995.
And his goal against Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of 1998/99 regained the title for the treble-winning side.
Prior to his spell at Old Trafford he won the Golden Boot with a total of 34 goals for Newcastle United in 1993/94, a total yet to be beaten.
Ashley Cole (Arsenal, Chelsea)
The Premier League said: One of the finest left-backs to grace the Premier League, Ashley Cole defined the evolution of full-backs from focussing primarily on defending…
…to becoming an integral part of the attack, with his tireless running up and down the length of the pitch.
After being part of Arsenal’s 2001/02 and 2003/04 title-winning teams, Cole moved to Chelsea in 2006, where he completed a personal hat-trick by lifting the Premier League Trophy in 2009/10.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
The Premier League said: Blessed with pace, power and skill, Didier Drogba was instrumental in helping Chelsea to two successive Premier League titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06.
The Ivorian’s 104 Premier League goals are the most by an African, many struck spectacularly from distance or powered in with his head.
As well as winning the PL Trophy four times in two spells with Chelsea, Drogba claimed two Golden Boots.
Les Ferdinand (Leicester, Newcastle, Tottenham – 2 others)
The Premier League said: Les Ferdinand terrorised defenders across 13 Premier League seasons, starting with prolific spells at Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United.
At St James’ Park, his career-best 25 goals in 1995/96 helped Newcastle go close to the title that season.
He led the line at Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers and, by the time Ferdinand played his final Premier League match, only three players had scored more than his 149 goals.
Rio Ferdinand (Leeds, Man Utd, West Ham)
The Premier League said: Rio Ferdinand broke the mould of the no-nonsense English central defender in the Premier League.
Composed and stylish, he made his first-team debut for West Ham United at 17.
After Leeds United made him the world’s most expensive defender, Manchester United broke the British transfer record two seasons later and immediately reaped rewards as they regained the Premier League title in 2002/03.
That was the first of six Ferdinand claimed in his 12 seasons at Old Trafford. His 504 Premier League appearances are second among central defenders.
We continue our look as the Premier League announces their 23-player shortlist for their new Hall of Fame…
Robbie Fowler (Leeds, Liverpool, Man City – 2 others)
The Premier League said: Robbie Fowler was among the most instinctive goal-poachers in Premier League history.
Rarely needing time or space to strike, he scored 128 of his 163 Premier League goals for his hometown club Liverpool.
This included the fastest Premier League hat-trick at the time, scoring three times in just four minutes and 33 seconds against Arsenal in August 1994, a record that stood for more than two decades.
He was fourth in the overall goal rankings by the time he played his final Premier League match in 2008/09.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
The Premier League said: After coming through Liverpool’s Academy, Steven Gerrard spent 17 years as the driving force of the Merseysiders’ midfield in the Premier League.
Famed for his driving runs, his ability to inspire team-mates and his spectacular strikes from distance, only Frank Lampard has scored more from midfield than Gerrard’s 120 goals.
The Reds’ long-serving captain also provided 92 top-flight assists and won six monthly awards in his stellar career.
Roy Keane (Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Roy Keane was the fierce heartbeat of Manchester United’s midfield and their domination of the Premier League in the 1990s.
The tough-tackling Irishman joined from Nottingham Forest for a British-record fee in 1993 and was a leader in the United side, before becoming club captain in 1997.
His energy and fighting spirit inspired his team-mates to seven titles during his time at the club.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea, West Ham)
The Premier League said: Over the course of 21 seasons in the Premier League, Frank Lampard was one of the competition’s most complete midfielders.
A champion on three occasions at Chelsea, no midfielder has ever got near to his 177 goals for the Blues, West Ham United and Manchester City.
No player has matched his getting double figures for goals in 10 consecutive seasons as he became Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer.
Named Player of the Season for 2004/05, he also surpassed a century of assists in the Premier League.
We continue our look as the Premier League announces their 23-player shortlist for their new Hall of Fame…
Matt Le Tissier (Southampton)
The Premier League said: Has any player blessed the Premier League with as many memorable goals as Matthew Le Tissier did with Southampton?
There were his chips over numerous chastened goalkeepers, the individual skills that set up long-range piledrivers, and an unrivalled record of success from the penalty spot.
It all helped one of England’s most gifted players in the 1990s become the first midfielder to score 100 goals in the competition.
Saints’ talisman spent his entire professional career with the club.
Michael Owen (Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle, Stoke)
The Premier League said: Michael Owen stood out from the off.
His goal on debut for Liverpool at 17 became a trademark finish, beating the Wimbledon defence for speed before a clinical strike.
This pace and deadly eye for goal helped Owen finish top scorer for Liverpool in every season between 1997/98 and 2003/04, claiming the Golden Boot twice.
A spell at Manchester United earned him his first title and he remains one of only 10 players with 150 or more Premier League goals.
Peter Schmeichel (Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Few goalkeepers have dominated the Premier League as Peter Schmeichel did with Manchester United in the 1990s.
He was one of the first to deal comfortably with the new backpass law.
Schmeichel’s long throws that launched United’s attacks were also an innovation in the competition.
But his spectacular saves, including his “star fish” jump, denied many strikers time and again and helped him to five titles as well, as Player of the Season award in 1995/96.
Paul Scholes (Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Ranked by his peers as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, Paul Scholes helped Manchester United to 11 Premier League titles across three decades.
Scholes was a creative influence and attacking threat in United’s midfield.
His vision and range of passing helped to provide 55 assists for his team-mates, while his fearsome shooting ability produced some memorable strikes among the 107 goals he scored from 499 league appearances.
John Terry (Chelsea)
The Premier League said: Captain, leader, legend.
Chelsea fans’ slogan for their hero rang true as the defender captained the Blues to five titles, the most by any player as captain in the Premier League era.
One of the best centre-backs in the competition’s history, Terry was blessed with exceptional positioning and an ability to put his body on the line.
He never stood off a challenge as he inspired his team to greater heights.
He also contributed at the other end; scoring more Premier League goals than any defender at the time he left Chelsea in 2017.
We continue our look as the Premier League announces their 23-player shortlist for their new Hall of Fame…
Robin van Persie (Arsenal, Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Robin van Persie became one of the Premier League’s most lethal strikers in his spells at Arsenal and Manchester United, twice winning the Golden Boot as well as the 2012/13 title with the Red Devils.
The Dutchman moved to Arsenal in 2004 as a second forward and, after the departure of Thierry Henry, his predatory skills came into their own with 18 goals in 2010/11.
The following season he claimed the Golden Boot with 30 goals, before a move to Manchester United, and another Golden Boot, won him the PL Trophy.
Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
The Premier League said: Twice named the Player of the Season in 2008/09 and 2010/11, Nemanja Vidic proved one of Manchester United’s most important signings.
The Serbian centre-back’s exceptional tackling and reading of the game, as well as a willingness to put his body on the line, laid the foundation for a hat-trick of Premier League titles from his first full season, followed by two more as United captain after the turn of the decade.
Vidic kept an incredible 95 clean sheets from 211 appearances.
Patrick Vieira (Arsenal, Man City)
The Premier League said: Patrick Vieira came to the Premier League a relative unknown but left having redefined the role of a central midfielder.
The Frenchman provided a rare combination of power, aggression and skill at the heart of an Arsenal midfield that won three Premier League titles.
His long-range strikes and late runs into the penalty area brought 31 goals, including the one that sealed Arsenal’s Invincible season in 2003/04, the captain lifting the Premier League Trophy after an unbeaten campaign.
Ian Wright (Arsenal, West Ham)
The Premier League said: A latecomer to the professional game, Ian Wright made up for the lost time in his career.
After his move from Crystal Palace, the livewire striker was Arsenal’s leading scorer in the club’s first five seasons in the Premier League.
A scorer of spectacular goals, Wright also had the knack of being in the right place at the right time and in helping Arsenal to the 1997/98 title, he beat Cliff Bastin’s club record of 178 goals.
As the Premier League announces their 23-player shortlist for their new Hall of Fame, which would you pick?
Fans can vote at www.premierleague.com/hall-of-fame and via the official Premier League app. Voting is open until 18.00 on Sunday 9 May, with the next six inductees announced between 18 and 20 May.
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