Premier League Hall of Fame: Every player who has been honoured with the prestigious title from Liverpool club legend to Arsenal midfield maestro and latest inductee Ashley Cole
The Premier League is arguably the most competitive and high tempo league in Europe, potentially even the world.
England’s top tier football division has attracted many of the world greats from Cristiano Ronaldo to Thierry Henry to Dennis Bergkamp just to name a few.
To honour the legends who have come and gone, the Premier League created a Hall of Fame in 2020 with the first year of inductees coming a year later in 2021 due to delays because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Hall of Fame was set up to recognise and celebrate individuals who have an exceptional record of success, and have shown significant contribution in the Premier League since 1992.
It is the highest honour to have bestowed on a player by the league. Here are the 20 players who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame so far.
Although your Hall of Fame induction isn’t solidified by one moment, Sergio Aguero certainly booked his place in the Premier League history books after his late winning to win the League in the 2011-12 season
Petr Cech is one of only two goalkeepers who have earned a spot in the Premier League Hall of Fame so far
Players aren’t the only Hall of Fame inductees, managers can also be given the honour
2024 Inductees
Ashley Cole (Arsenal/Chelsea)
Cole is the latest Premier League Hall of Fame inductee and when you take a close look at his stats, it’s no surprise his name eventually found its way onto the list.
Having made 385 appearances in the Premier League, the English international is regarded as one of the finest left-backs to grace the Premier League.
He revolutionised what it meant to be a full-back which has paved the way for new young talents like Reece James and Trent Alexander Arnold.
Cole exposed the English League to the idea that a full backs role isn’t only to defend, with his tireless running up and down the length of the pitch, going on the attack before tracking back to do his primary role defending, Cole changed the game.
Honours: Premier League winner 2001-02 (Arsenal), 2003-04 (Arsenal) and 2009-10 (Chelsea)
Cole is regarded as one of the greatest left-backs the Premier League has seen
2023 Inductees
Rio Ferdinand (Man United/ Leeds United/ West Ham/ QPR)
Rio Ferdinand’s senior footballing career was spent entirely in the Premier League.
Ferdinand made his Premier League debut for West Ham back in 1995 when he was only 17-years-old, from there he went onto to become one of the best central defenders the league has ever seen.
Ferdinand’s no-nonsense defender made him a delight to watch, he was always appeared composed and stylish in his defender despite coming up against some of the Premier League’s best strikers.
In 2000 Leeds United made the England international the world’s most expensive defender, only for Manchester United to break the then British transfer record two seasons later.
Honours: Premier League winner 2002-03 (Manchester United), 2006-07 (Man United), 2007-08 (Man United), 2008-09 (Man United), 2010-11 (Man United), 2012-12 (Man United)
The English international won six Premier League titles with Manchester United
Petr Cech (Chelsea/ Arsenal)
Only the second goalkeeper to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, Petr Cech impressed from his very first debut season with Chelsea.
The Czech international kept 24 clean sheets, a Premier League record for a single season in Chelsea’s title winning 2004-05 campaign.
His impressive goal shutout record didn’t end there and over the course of 443 Premier League appearances, Cech managed to have totalled a double century of clean sheets, recording 202 clean sheets in 443 appearances.
No keeper has yet to come close to this feat.
Honours: Premier League winner 2004-05 (Chelsea), 2005-06 (Chelsea), 2009-10, four Premier League Golden Gloves
Petr Cech was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2023, he is only the second goalkeeper to receive the award
Tony Adams (Arsenal)
Another Arsenal legend listed amongst the Premier League greats, Tony Adams embodied Arsenal football club.
The English defender spent his entire career at Arsenal registering 115 clean sheets and scoring 12 goals in 255 appearances.
Tony even was honoured with captaining Arsenal. He became Arsenal’s captain on January 1 in 1988, aged just 21, he remained as Arsenal’s captain for the remaining 14 years all the way up to his retirement in 2002.
Honours: Premier League winner 1997-98 (Arsenal), 2001-02 (Arsenal)
Tony Adams made 255 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League spanning across 10 seasons
Sir Alex Ferguson (Man United)
In 2023, the Premier League also recognised managers for their contribution to the success of teams within the Premier League for the first time.
To nobody’s surprise the first manager to achieve their spot in the Premier League Hall of Fame was the most successful manager in British football history , Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson took charge of 810 games in the Premier League with Man United. In the inaugural Premier League season of 1992-933 he ended United’s 26-year-long wait for a top flight title in England.
The Scottish native would go on to enjoy unimaginable success with United over the next two decades winning 13 titles.
His Premier League record stands at 528 wins from 810 games, giving him a win percentage of 65.
Honours: Premier League winner 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13
Ferguson enjoyed unprecedented success as United manager winning a record 13 Premier League titles managing one side
The only other Premier League manager to make the list is Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger.
The French manager came on board at Arsenal in 1996 and within two years he managed to carve his name into the history of Arsenal and the Premier League.
Over the course of the next two decades Wenger and Ferguson would battle it out at the top to claim English football glory.
The French man led Arsenal to three titles under his reign, managing to accomplish the one thing Ferguson’s men never did.
During the 2003-04 season, Wenger’s side dubbed ‘The Invincibles’ would go down in English football history as going an entire season unbeaten.
Honours: Premier League winner 1997-98, 2001-01, 2003-04
Wenger led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, his 2003-04 team ‘The Invincibles’ will go down in English football history
2022 Inductees
Patrick Vieira (Arsenal/Man City)
A part of the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ squad, the frenchman revolutionised the role of a central midfielder combining the previous three styles of midfielders into one, aggression, power and skill.
The French men made 307 appearances in the Premier League, the majority of which were under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, he scored 31 goals, many of which were either from his long range shots or delayed runs in to the box.
Honours: Premier League winner 1997-98, 2001-01, 2003-04
Patrick Vieira was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022
Wayne Rooney (Man United/Everton)
Wayne Rooney burst onto the English football club with his boyhood club Everton in the 2002-03 season.
Many expected great things from the young English forward after he impressed with Everton from the off.
And disappoint did he not, over the course of his Premier League career Rooney scored 208 goals in 491 appearances, a mind blowing tally only out done by Alan Shearer.
Rooney won five titles, all of which came at Manchester United, where he also won player of the year in 2009-10.
Honours: Premier League winner 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13.
Rooney is the second highest goal scored in the Premier League, only Alan Shearer has scored more goals
Ian Wright (Arsenal/West Ham)
Despite coming late to the Premier League, Ian Wright made up for lost time.
The explosive strike became Arsenal’s top goal scorer in the club’s first five seasons in the Premier League.
During his 213 appearances in the Premier League, Wright garnered an impressive goal contributions tally of 113 goals and 22 assists.
He was a scorer of spectacular goals as well as tap-ins making him the complete forward every club yearned for.
Honours: Premier League winner 1997-98
Ian Wright flourished at Arsenal, becoming their top leading scoring each year for five seasons in a row
Peter Schmeichel (Man United/ Aston Villa/ Man City)
The first-ever goalkeeper to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame was Peter Schmeichel.
Schmeichel dominated his goal and the Premier League during the 1990’s with Manchester United and very few keepers after him have managed to defend their goal like him.
The Danish international kept 128 clean sheets in 310 Premier League appearances.
Honours: Premier League winner 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1999-99
No other keeper in Premier League history has dominated for such a long period like Schmeichel in the 1990’s
Paul Scholes (Man United)
Another one-club man Paul Scholes is highly regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, even being voted so by his fellow peers.
The loyal United man assisted with taking United to claim 11 Premier League titles across three decades.
Scholes was an attack-minded midfielder full of creativity. He scored 107 goals and provided 55 assists in 499 Premier League games.
Honours: Premier League winner 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13
A loyal United man, Scholes helped the Red Devils lift 11 Premier League titles
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Africa’s deadliest striker Didier Drogba played a vital role in helping the Blues lift four Premier League titles during his two spells at the club.
Drogba managed 104 goals and 54 assists during his time with Chelsea, earning him the Premier League Golden Boot on two occasions.
The Ivorian striker was known for his blistering pace, skill and ability to put the ball in the back of the net from any angle.
Honours: Premier League winner 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15. Premier League Golden Boot 2006-07, 2009-10
Drogba played a vital role in Chelsea’s back to back League titles in 2004-05 and 2005-06
Vincent Kompany (Man City)
A rock in Manchester City’s defence during their early years of their Premier League dominance.
Kompany embodied what it meant to be a true Premier League captain, pulling his sky blue side out from mid-table finishes and up to the top during his 11-year spell at the club.
Kompany made 265 appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League, keeping 94 clean sheets and lifting the title four times.
Honours: Premier League winner 2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19
Kompany captained Manchester City from being a mid-table side to dominating the Premier League during his 11-year spell
Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Another Man City hero who kick started City’s dominance in the Premier League.
Whilst Vincent Kompany was leading from the back, Sergio Aguero led the team up front.
No player with 20+ goals can match the Argentinians minutes-per-goal ratio. The South American man slotted home 184 goals during his 275 appearances in the Premier League.
Making him the League leading goal scorer for a player from overseas.
Honours: Premier League winner 2011-12, 2013-14, 22017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21. Premier League Golden Boot winner 2014-15
Sergio Aguero had a decorated career in the Premier League winning five Premier League titles and scoring 184 goals
2021 Inductees
Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers/Newcastle)
The most infamous and clinical stiker the Premier League has ever seen.
Going up against Alan Shearer was a defenders worst nightmare.
Despite only lifting the Premier League trophy once with Blackburn Rovers during the 1994-95 season, Shearer created a legacy in the Premier League thanks to his lethal finishing.
The Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, Shearer scored an outstanding 260 goals in 441 appearances.
Honours: Premier League winner 1994-95 (Blackburn Rovers) Premier League Player of the year 1994-95 (Blackburn Rovers) Premier League Golden Boot winner 1994-95 (Blackburn Rovers) 1995-96 (Blackburn Rovers), 1996-97 (Newcastle)
Shearer was a weapon in front of goal firing in goals from left, right and centre
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
A winger transformed into a world-class striker by Arsene Wenger, Henry was the player everyone wanted on their team.
A nightmare for defenders Henry was ruthless in goal, scoring 20+ goals in five consecutive seasons, winning the Golden boot four times.
What made Henry so special was not only his skill and composure in front of goal but also his ability to produce outrageous wonder strikes as well.
Henry scored 175 goals in 258 Premier League appearances.
Honours: Premier League winner 2001-02, 2003-04, Premier League Player of The Season 2003-04, 22005-06 Premier League Golden Boot winner 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004,05, 2005-06
Thierry Henry was prolific for Arsenal, winning four Premier League Golden Boots during his time at the club
Eric Cantona (Leeds United/Man United)
Cantona first tore up England’s top tier league as a striker for Leeds United, where he enjoyed much success.
The French man then shocked everyone when he made a shock move from defending champions Leeds United in 1992-93.
Cantona’s bold move away from success to join Man United paid of dividends when he help spur the Red Devils to win their first league title in 26 years.
Cantona scored 70 goals in 156 appearances, winning four titles.
Honours: Premier League winner 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97
Eric Cantona was the catalyst for Man United’s three decade long dominance in the Premier League
Roy Keane (Man United/Nottingham Forest)
The fearless Irishman was the heart and soul of the Man United midfield throughout the 1990s.
The man from Cork was ruthless in the game and captained his side to show no fear and that they did.
Keane’s never die attitude inspired United to lift seven Premier League titles during his time at the club. He made 366 appearances for the Red Devils.
Honours: 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03
Keane was one of the fiercest players the Premier League has ever seen, his ruthless mindset helped United lift seven League titles during his time at the club
David Beckham (Man United)
Another player who rose to football stardom under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United was David Beckham.
Despite the spotlight he had off the pitch, Beckham shun the brightest on the pitch.
A set piece maestro and wizard of a passer, Beckham provided 80 assists and scored 62 times during his 265 Premier League appearances with United.
Honours: Premier League winner 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03
David Beckham rose to football stardom under Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United
Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal)
Bergkamp coming to the Premier League in 1995 was a game changer for Arsenal.
The Dutchman’s technical ability and passing visionary produced some of the Premier League’s most outstanding moments of play.
In 315 appearances Bergkamp scored 87 times, registered 94 assists and lifted three Premier League titles.
Honours: Premier League winner 1997-98, 2001-01, 2003-04
Bergkamp is one of the most impressive midfielders to grace the pitches of England with Arsenal
Frank Lampard (Chelsea/ West Ham/ Man City)
Frank Lampard appeared in the Premier League for 21 seasons.
The Chelsea legend made 609 Premier League appearances, scoring 177 goals and registering 102 assists.
One of the League’s greatest midfielders of all time, Lampard was as complete as they come.
His ability to pass, score, assist, create and manage the game was unmatched and no other midfielder has come close to his 177 goals for the Blues, the Hammers and Man City.
Honours: Premier League winner 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, Premier League Player of the year 2004-05
Lampard holds the record for the most goals scored by a midfielder in the Premier League with 177 goals
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
The only Red from Merseyside to make it on the list, Steven Gerrard was the heartbeat and driving force for Liverpool’s midfield for 17 years.
After working his way up through Liverpool’s academy, Gerrard was spectacular to watch in the League.
Known for his spectacular long distance strikes, determined runs and inspiring leadership the scouser made 504 appearances for his beloved Liverpool, scoring 120 goals and providing 92 assists.
Only Frank Lampard has scored more goals from midfield than the Liverpool man.
Steven Gerrard was the heartbeat of Liverpool’s midfield for 17 years, scoring 120 goals and providing 92 assists for the Reds
How do players get chosen for the Hall of Fame?
To be considered as a possible Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, the player must have made a minimum of 250 Premier League appearances unless they have achieved any of the following milestones…
- Made a minimum of 200 Premier League appearances for one club
- Been selected in any of the Premier League Team of the Decade or 20-Year Anniversary teams
- Won a Premier League Golden Boot or Golden Glove
- Been voted as Premier League Player of the Season
- Won three Premier League titles
- Scored 100 Premier League goals or recorded 100 Premier League clean sheets (goalkeepers only)
