sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
A fan selected Premier League all-time XI is the talk of the internet right now
Home>Football
Updated 11:31 21 Jul 2026 GMT+1Published 09:50 13 Aug 2022 GMT+1

A fan selected Premier League all-time XI is the talk of the internet right now

More than 200,000 fans voted in the poll.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

A fan selected Premier League all-time XI featuring the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer has become a huge talking point on social media in the past 24 hours.

To celebrate 30 years of Premier League action, the guys over at BT Sport decided to mark the special anniversary by running a poll asking people to pick their greatest ever team.

A total of 200,302 people voted and well, some choices have gone down better than others.

To the surprise of many, only three former Manchester United players made the all-time XI, including Peter Schmeichel in net. He took his place ahead of David Seaman, Petr Cech and Edwin van der Sar.

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Advert

A number of Manchester United legends missed out, including Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and the club's all-time top goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, who played 491 games in England's top flight.

Rooney, who scored 208 goals in the league, also lifted five Premier League titles during that time, but fans opted for the front three of Mohamed Salah, Alan Shearer and, of course, the great Thierry Henry.

And let's be real, there was no debate on that final pick.

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Another big talking point was the back four. Gary Neville, who won eight Premier League titles – more than any other defender nominated – slotted in at right-back.

Rio Ferdinand was then joined by one of the best defenders in world football right now, Virgil van Dijk, at centre-back.

The Dutch international earned 41.5% of the vote to beat John Terry (29.4%), Nemanja Vidic (19.3%) and Vincent Kompany (9.8%) to earn his place in the all-time XI.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole also earned his place at left-back and that was an overwhelming choice from the public.

Former Manchester United duo Patrice Evra and Denis Irwin were a distant second and third, according to BT Sport.

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

And perhaps the most controversial part of the team involved the midfield three of Kevin De Bruyne, Steven Gerrard and Patrick Vieira – with the likes of Frank Lampard, N'Golo Kante and Paul Scholes missing out.

Here are some of the reactions from social media.

One fan said: "Ferdinand not in top 5 CB's. Prime Cech was better then Schmeichel. Terry is the best CB in Premier League history. Lampard over Gerrard."

Another commented: "You can make an argument for all of these, But Van Dijk? REALLY??? Over Adams, Campbell, Terry, Vidic, Kompany, Desielly (spelling) Stam and Keown? Hell you could even put Woodgate, Southgate and King on the list."

A third said: "What sort of disrespect is this? The Premier League didn't start 5yrs to 7yrs ago. How can Lampard, Ronaldo, Vidic, John Terry, Scholes etc not be a part of this. Clearly, you lot have been watching a different sport."

Thoughts on the fan selected all-time Premier League XI? Would you change anything?

Let us know your team in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: Footy Renders

Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Luke Riley makes bold prediction ahead of blockbuster fight on Conor McGregor v Max Holloway cardGetty ImagesForget Conor McGregor - Lone'er Kavanagh is the UFC star you should be watching this weekendGetty ImagesF1 and F3 trainer reveals gruelling physical and mental work drivers must do for each race ahead of British GPGettyDavid Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Alejandro Garnacho makes incredibly honest admission in first interview as an Aston Villa player

    The Argentine has joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Man Utd player who made Premier League debut with Marcus Rashford has made his first million in new business

    The former midfielder retired from professional football at the age of 28.

    Football
  • Getty Images/Premier League
    3 hours ago

    Five FPL hidden gems emerge as 2026/27 season officially launches

    With FPL officially back, here are five hidden players that you should consider, and one of them could be the best value pick in the game.

    Football
  • AFC Bournemouth
    4 hours ago

    Bournemouth's home kit for 2026-27 season enters top five worst-rated Premier League kits of all time

    The kit has received a 1.92/5 rating after its release this month.

    Football
  • Top 10 Greatest Premier League Teams of All Time Ranked After Wayne Rooney Dig
  • INEOS block Alex Scott and Carlos Baleba Man Utd deals with surprise Premier League star now a 'serious target'
  • Bournemouth's home kit for 2026-27 season enters top five worst-rated Premier League kits of all time
  • What Happened To 20 Premier League Wonderkids The Guardian Tipped for Greatness in 2020