Sports / Soccer
Top 10: Influential Premier League Footballers
29 Apr 2011 at 15:40hrs | Views
No.10 Lucas Radebe
Team influenced: Leeds
Height of his power: 1996-2005
Lucas Radebe was known as the Chief during his time at Leeds, patrolling their defence with a calm self-assurance. The South African international certainly threw himself into the culture of the Elland Road club and was rewarded with his status amongst the fans. He joined the club in 1994, and began captaining the side from 1996 until the arrival of Rio Ferdinand in 2002.
Throughout regular managerial upheaval -- Howard Wilkinson, George Graham and David O'Leary to name but three -- Radebe was a constant reference point for the fans, providing vital experience to complement the young guns of Alan Smith, Harry Kewell et al.
No.9 John Terry
Team influenced: Chelsea
Height of his power: 2004-early 2010.
It wasn't until former captain Marcel Desailly retired in 2004 and Jose Mourinho came to London that John Terry gained the armband and began to exert such an influence over the team. With Mourinho relying on Terry leading an English core, Chelsea won back-to-back titles, but perhaps his power-base was too strong?
Claude Makelele indicated in his autobiography that it was Terry's influence that caused Jose's departure. However, the Englishman's profile has suffered since revelations over his private life in February, while Carlo Ancelotti's quick-fire success has ensured the correct manager-player hierarchy has been restored.
No.8 Stuart Pearce
Team influenced: Nottingham Forest
Height of his power: 1994-1997
Although Stuart Pearce was captain of Forest in the inaugural Premier League season, his influence actually grew with their relegation. The club captain did not choose to jump ship, instead playing a vital part in Forest's promotion campaign ahead of the 1994-95 season. Psycho was most certainly a fans favourite.
In December 1996 he became even more influential when he took on the post of player-manager as Forest faced a relegation battle. It was a step too far however, and with Dave Bassett brought in to take over the managerial reigns in March '97, Pearce ended his 12 year association with the club that summer.
No.7 Jamie Carragher
Team influenced: Liverpool
Height of his power: 2004-2009
Despite being an Everton fan, Carragher's identity is bound up with the Anfield club. The defender's influence on Liverpool stepped up a level in 2004 with the arrival of Rafael Benitez. A move to a permanent central defensive role saw his performances improve and his influence grow.
Although main captaincy duties were handled by Sami Hyypia and later Steven Gerrard, Carragher's increased confidence and popularity amongst supporters has seen him effectively become a club spokesman, particularly amidst the financial and footballing strife of recent times. However, with his form being questioned by pundits over the last 12 months, is his influence on the wane?
No.6 Robbie Earle
Team influenced: Wimbledon
Height of his power: 1992-2000
The public face of the Crazy Gang may have belonged to John Fashanu and Vinnie Jones, but it was Robbie Earle who was the constant presence during the Dons' Premier League stay. The esteem in which manager Joe Kinnear held him was reflected in Earle's captaincy which began in 1995, and while Fash the Bash left in 1994, and Jones departed in 1998, the midfielder remained until a pancreas injury curtailed his career in 2000.
With Earle on the sidelines, Wimbledon by then managed by the eccentric Egil Olsen (wellies for training!), were relegated and the midfielder forced into retirement. The end of the Crazy Gang.
No.5 Matt Le Tissier
Team influenced: Southampton
Height of his power: 1992-1999
Whereas some on this list influenced youngsters with their application to training (Le Tiss hated it), their openness to new diets (Le Tiss was a McDonalds man), Matt influenced a million kids (Spain's Xavi among them) with ability alone.
Le Tissier was responsible for single-handedly keeping Soton in the Premier League at times, particularly between 1992 and 1994. But it was the 94-95 season that saw his best form as he bagged 20 goals from midfield. You hear a lot about one-man teams, but this was truly such a case. When Alan Ball was manager he basically had one tactic; pass the ball to Matt.
No.4 Alan Shearer
Team influenced: Newcastle
Height of his power: 1997-2006
So brutally brilliant at Blackburn, it wasn't until the lethal cocktail of the then world's priciest player, hometown boy, and the Newcastle no.9 shirt was mixed that Shearer's influence took off behind the scenes. The striker's power began to grow after Kevin Keegan left, and despite injuries and a dwindling goal tally it didn't diminish.
Ruud Gullit felt it sharpest when in 1999 he dropped Shearer for a derby game with Sunderland. With the Black Cats running out 2-1 winners as the forward watched from the bench, the Dutch master may well have grabbed his coat there and then.
No.3 Tony Adams
Team influenced: Arsenal
Height of his power: 1996-2002
Adams' influence was established way before the PL's inception, when manager George Graham made him captain at just 21. The centre-back was the key figure in the 'famous four' backline that won the old first division title twice, but it was perhaps following his admission of alcoholism in late 1996 and the arrival of Arsene Wenger that he enjoyed most prominence.
Instead of resisting the changes to diets and training that Wenger wanted to implement, Adams embraced them, undoubtedly helping the Frenchman's ideas take root and have the ongoing impact they do. With Adams as on-field general, Wenger's side took two league and cup doubles.
No.2 Eric Cantona
Team influenced: Manchester United
Height of his power: 1992-1997
Cantona's influence on the English game as a whole has been well-documented, but it is folly to underestimate the continuing power of his legacy. Whereas most on this list are snarling, man's men, of the screaming brave-heart variety, Cantona led purely by example: on the training pitch.
Sure, he was displayed his array of tricks come matchday, and for a season was captain, but it was his behind the scenes influence that really altered the club's ethic. His training regime, and his application to practice that so rubbed off on the youth of Scholes, Giggs, Beckham, etc, ensured his influence is still felt today.
No.1 Roy Keane
Team influenced: Manchester United
Height of his power: 1998-2005
When Keane joined United in 1993 he was way down a club hierarchy that featured Robson, Bruce, Ince and Cantona. Handed the captain's armband in 1997, it was only after his comeback from a cruciate injury in the 1998-99 season that he truly became the on-pitch embodiment of his manager's authority and desire.
Ex-United player Gerard Pique, recently indicated that Keane's dressing room presence was the most domineering he'd ever seen, with the Irishman even giving team-talks. The midfielder's no-nonsense approach won many trophies and left his team-mates in no doubt over what was expected, but all went a step too far on MUTV in 2005 and precipitated his departure.
Team influenced: Leeds
Height of his power: 1996-2005
Lucas Radebe was known as the Chief during his time at Leeds, patrolling their defence with a calm self-assurance. The South African international certainly threw himself into the culture of the Elland Road club and was rewarded with his status amongst the fans. He joined the club in 1994, and began captaining the side from 1996 until the arrival of Rio Ferdinand in 2002.
Throughout regular managerial upheaval -- Howard Wilkinson, George Graham and David O'Leary to name but three -- Radebe was a constant reference point for the fans, providing vital experience to complement the young guns of Alan Smith, Harry Kewell et al.
No.9 John Terry
Team influenced: Chelsea
Height of his power: 2004-early 2010.
It wasn't until former captain Marcel Desailly retired in 2004 and Jose Mourinho came to London that John Terry gained the armband and began to exert such an influence over the team. With Mourinho relying on Terry leading an English core, Chelsea won back-to-back titles, but perhaps his power-base was too strong?
Claude Makelele indicated in his autobiography that it was Terry's influence that caused Jose's departure. However, the Englishman's profile has suffered since revelations over his private life in February, while Carlo Ancelotti's quick-fire success has ensured the correct manager-player hierarchy has been restored.
No.8 Stuart Pearce
Team influenced: Nottingham Forest
Height of his power: 1994-1997
Although Stuart Pearce was captain of Forest in the inaugural Premier League season, his influence actually grew with their relegation. The club captain did not choose to jump ship, instead playing a vital part in Forest's promotion campaign ahead of the 1994-95 season. Psycho was most certainly a fans favourite.
In December 1996 he became even more influential when he took on the post of player-manager as Forest faced a relegation battle. It was a step too far however, and with Dave Bassett brought in to take over the managerial reigns in March '97, Pearce ended his 12 year association with the club that summer.
No.7 Jamie Carragher
Team influenced: Liverpool
Height of his power: 2004-2009
Despite being an Everton fan, Carragher's identity is bound up with the Anfield club. The defender's influence on Liverpool stepped up a level in 2004 with the arrival of Rafael Benitez. A move to a permanent central defensive role saw his performances improve and his influence grow.
Although main captaincy duties were handled by Sami Hyypia and later Steven Gerrard, Carragher's increased confidence and popularity amongst supporters has seen him effectively become a club spokesman, particularly amidst the financial and footballing strife of recent times. However, with his form being questioned by pundits over the last 12 months, is his influence on the wane?
No.6 Robbie Earle
Team influenced: Wimbledon
Height of his power: 1992-2000
The public face of the Crazy Gang may have belonged to John Fashanu and Vinnie Jones, but it was Robbie Earle who was the constant presence during the Dons' Premier League stay. The esteem in which manager Joe Kinnear held him was reflected in Earle's captaincy which began in 1995, and while Fash the Bash left in 1994, and Jones departed in 1998, the midfielder remained until a pancreas injury curtailed his career in 2000.
With Earle on the sidelines, Wimbledon by then managed by the eccentric Egil Olsen (wellies for training!), were relegated and the midfielder forced into retirement. The end of the Crazy Gang.
No.5 Matt Le Tissier
Team influenced: Southampton
Height of his power: 1992-1999
Whereas some on this list influenced youngsters with their application to training (Le Tiss hated it), their openness to new diets (Le Tiss was a McDonalds man), Matt influenced a million kids (Spain's Xavi among them) with ability alone.
Le Tissier was responsible for single-handedly keeping Soton in the Premier League at times, particularly between 1992 and 1994. But it was the 94-95 season that saw his best form as he bagged 20 goals from midfield. You hear a lot about one-man teams, but this was truly such a case. When Alan Ball was manager he basically had one tactic; pass the ball to Matt.
No.4 Alan Shearer
Team influenced: Newcastle
Height of his power: 1997-2006
So brutally brilliant at Blackburn, it wasn't until the lethal cocktail of the then world's priciest player, hometown boy, and the Newcastle no.9 shirt was mixed that Shearer's influence took off behind the scenes. The striker's power began to grow after Kevin Keegan left, and despite injuries and a dwindling goal tally it didn't diminish.
Ruud Gullit felt it sharpest when in 1999 he dropped Shearer for a derby game with Sunderland. With the Black Cats running out 2-1 winners as the forward watched from the bench, the Dutch master may well have grabbed his coat there and then.
No.3 Tony Adams
Team influenced: Arsenal
Height of his power: 1996-2002
Adams' influence was established way before the PL's inception, when manager George Graham made him captain at just 21. The centre-back was the key figure in the 'famous four' backline that won the old first division title twice, but it was perhaps following his admission of alcoholism in late 1996 and the arrival of Arsene Wenger that he enjoyed most prominence.
Instead of resisting the changes to diets and training that Wenger wanted to implement, Adams embraced them, undoubtedly helping the Frenchman's ideas take root and have the ongoing impact they do. With Adams as on-field general, Wenger's side took two league and cup doubles.
No.2 Eric Cantona
Team influenced: Manchester United
Height of his power: 1992-1997
Cantona's influence on the English game as a whole has been well-documented, but it is folly to underestimate the continuing power of his legacy. Whereas most on this list are snarling, man's men, of the screaming brave-heart variety, Cantona led purely by example: on the training pitch.
Sure, he was displayed his array of tricks come matchday, and for a season was captain, but it was his behind the scenes influence that really altered the club's ethic. His training regime, and his application to practice that so rubbed off on the youth of Scholes, Giggs, Beckham, etc, ensured his influence is still felt today.
No.1 Roy Keane
Team influenced: Manchester United
Height of his power: 1998-2005
When Keane joined United in 1993 he was way down a club hierarchy that featured Robson, Bruce, Ince and Cantona. Handed the captain's armband in 1997, it was only after his comeback from a cruciate injury in the 1998-99 season that he truly became the on-pitch embodiment of his manager's authority and desire.
Ex-United player Gerard Pique, recently indicated that Keane's dressing room presence was the most domineering he'd ever seen, with the Irishman even giving team-talks. The midfielder's no-nonsense approach won many trophies and left his team-mates in no doubt over what was expected, but all went a step too far on MUTV in 2005 and precipitated his departure.
Source - ASKMEN
