The Debate: Who is the Premier League's greatest player?

The Premier League has been spoilt with an abundance of world-class talent and the finest players in the sport.

From free-scoring attackers to creative midfield geniuses, there are so many exceptional individuals to choose from when it comes to discussing the very best to have graced the division.

Members of the bet365 News team have tackled the impossible question and answered who they think is the Premier League's greatest player.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players ever... Debate closed.

Mark Mothershaw

Is there even a debate to be had here?

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely recognised as a true generational talent and the finest footballer - perhaps Lionel Messi aside - to have graced the hallowed turf in modern times, if not ever.

So, how can he seriously be overlooked here when we are discussing who the greatest player to have ever played in the Premier League is?

Yes, of course, I understand those who would argue Thierry Henry’s case; it’s difficult not to take into account his outstanding contribution to what is, for many, the greatest domestic league on earth.

44 goals and assists in a solitary season, four golden boots and being such a key component of Arsenal’s remarkable ‘Invincibles’ team all undoubtedly justify his inclusion.

Wayne Rooney and Kevin De Bruyne are both worthy of mentions within this discussion too, I get that, but realistically neither should be put on the same pedestal as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo may not have hit his peak in English football, but if anything, that just goes to prove how supremely talented the Portuguese sensational was and still is.

He scored 91 goals during his final three campaigns with Manchester United; all of which the Red Devils went on to be crowned Premier League champions in.

Some may argue that he doesn’t carry the Premier League longevity of the likes of Henry, Alan Shearer or even Wayne Rooney, but that shouldn’t even come into the question.

Does it really matter that we only got three devastating campaigns from the Portuguese superstar, because he wanted to test his hand at the biggest club in world football, Real Madrid - for whom he joined in a then world-record £80m deal?

Ronaldo crafted his now synonymous ruthless streak during those early years in Manchester, in the Premier League, and then remarkably went to scale even greater heights with Los Blancos.

Just answer me this, when you and your friends sit and discuss all-time greats across varying generations and leagues, how many times does Henry, Rooney or even De Bruyne’s name crop up?

Probably not too often.

Now put that in contrast to Ronaldo’s, who I am certain features across every single debate.

That alone should answer this question.

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Thierry Henry was the Premier League’s first complete forward and remains the greatest to have graced the division.

Darren Durber

If you ask most football fans who they believe is the greatest ever Premier League player, I’m confident that Thierry Henry will be the most popular response.

Henry was, and still is, an iconic figure in English football.

He arrived in the Premier League in the late 90’s during an era of pragmatism, 4-4-2 and direct physical football.

The Frenchman injected flair and style. He played the beautiful game with self-described Va-Va-Voom, with grace and a delicate touch that was rarely seen in strikers on these shores before his arrival.

Henry was one of the first modern strikers in an era of target men, a player who contributed to all facets of the game and provided assists in addition to goals.

The Arsenal legend was one of the most lethal marksmen in the history of the Premier League. He captured a record four Golden Boots and scored 175 goals in 258 appearances for the Gunners, where he remains their record goalscorer.

Henry also topped the Premier League scoring charts three season in a row between 2003/04 and 2005/06, one of only two players in the history of the Premier League to achieve the feat, another prestigious record held by the Frenchman.

He played a major role in Arsenal’s famous invincible season, scoring 39 goals in all competitions to secure his second Premier League title and the first of his two PFA Player of the Year accolades.

Named runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 2003, Henry confirmed his reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in European football when he won the European Golden Boot for two seasons running in 2005.

He also scored what remains one of the greatest ever goals in the history of the Premier League with his audacious volley against Manchester United.

Henry received the ball 25 yards from goal, held off defender Dennis Irwin, flicked up the ball with the outside of his right foot and lashed a volley at goal that left goalkeeper Fabien Barthez completely helpless in the United net.

It was over in the blink of an eye, a goal of such class and skill that it is still played on adverts for the Premier League to this day.

The goal summed up Henry as a player, a generational goal for a generational talent.

Henry’s popularity with fans of all ages doubtless helped grow the Premier League into the entertainment behemoth it is today.

The fact that he was the first inductee into the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside fellow striker Alan Shearer, is a sign of the prestige his name carries in England.

Arsenal are still yet to win the Premier League since Henry’s departure from English football, and we are still yet to see another striker of his calibre light up England’s top division.

Pace, power, skills, goals and unrivalled flair; Henry was the Premier League’s first complete forward and remains the greatest to have graced the division.

Remember the name... Wayne Rooney had it all.

George Wood

Wayne Rooney is the Premier League’s greatest ever player.

The former Manchester United captain had the best league in the world running scared when he was just 16 years old. At the same age, Cristiano Ronaldo was in and out of the Sporting Lisbon first team, while Thierry Henry was turning out for AS Monaco’s B-team.

Rooney had it all. He could score, he could assist, and he could drop deep and dictate from the midfield. He was an all-rounder that put up incredible numbers across the board.

The ex-Everton man is the Premier League’s third-highest goalscorer and has the fourth most assists in the competition's history, as well as being Manchester United’s all-time top scorer.

To hold that award at arguably the biggest club in the world, with the players they have had through the years, outlines his outrageous ability.

Rooney is synonymous with the Premier League, he was active in the league from his debut in 2002 all the way through to his departure from a second stint with the Toffees in 2018.

When you think of Ronaldo, you picture his time at Real Madrid, while Henry gave up Arsenal for the bright lights of Barcelona as soon as they came calling.

Yes, Ronaldo was flash, he could Cruyff turn, he had his signature step-overs, but let’s look at what matters.

In their stints at Manchester United, Wayne Rooney had a better minutes per goal record, higher goals per game and more assists per game, impressive over a Manchester United career five years longer than Ronaldo’s.

Let’s also not forget that this is a man who has won five Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, an FA Cup, three League Cups, a Europa League and a Club World Cup. All as a Premier League player, more than can be said of the other two.

Kevin De Bruyne has been the driving force in an unprecedented period of Premier League dominance.

Jaquob Crooke

Kevin De Bruyne’s career may well conclude without a Ballon d’Or to his name and that would be a total travesty.

He is the complete midfielder and a rare freak of nature. If he was born 400 years earlier he'd be tried for witchcraft.

In a period of sustained Manchester City dominance that’s soared to unparalleled heights, no player has been more influential.

The return is a haul of 14 trophies, which includes six Premier League titles and the Champions League crown he so desperately craved.

There’s an argument that his illustrious trophy haul would have been even greater were it not for a string of unfortunate injury setbacks.

His exceptional vision, impeccable passing range and the delightful manner in which he can dictate matches make him an absolutely joy to spectate. With a surgical pass or ferocious shot, he’s unlocked the stingiest of defences time and time again.

He makes the impossible seem achievable in the most nonchalant fashion. You could argue that applies to all of the players on the list, but De Bruyne’s magic is inhuman.

Not only is he spectacular on the eye, but his brilliance is backed up statistically.

Only Ryan Giggs has registered more Premier League assists and if De Bruyne were to enjoy the same longevity, there’s no doubt that the Belgian maestro would surpass that record.

182 goal contributions in 260 appearances is quite frankly an outrageous return in the world’s toughest division. Those numbers only scratch the surface as to how De Bruyne’s presence ensures Manchester City function.

It’s testament to De Bruyne’s influence that Pep Guardiola’s outfit did not lose a single league match upon his return from injury last season.

De Bruyne’s impact on the Premier League has been extraordinary and if, come May, he is to inspire the Citizens to a fifth consecutive title, you can place this debate in the archived folder as it will officially be settled.

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