The English Premier League is the most popular club soccer competition in the world, attracting fans from across the globe. The EPL is best-loved in the United Kingdom but enjoys a strong following in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Fans arrive via land, air, and sea to watch the most famous teams and talented players strut their stuff. From Manchester City to Liverpool and Chelsea to Brighton, the top-flight of English soccer has something for everyone.
Who is your favorite team from Great Britain? Perhaps you’re from the Manchester United era of dominance when the Red Devils lifted every trophy worth winning under Sir Alex Ferguson. You may be a Manchester City fan, cheering on the cash-rich Cityzens as they blazed a trail of glory to three Premier League titles on the bounce and a first Champions League winners medal.
The team from Old Trafford hasn’t won the league in over a decade, and the odds of them getting back on top this year suggest it’s unlikely. The top online betting sites offering odds on the 2023/24 Premier League winner make Man City the most likely champions, ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal.
The main men
Every Premier League fan has a favorite team, but also a kit they love more than any other released by their team. Do you enjoy the traditional red and white of Arsenal, or perhaps you prefer one of the unique kits West Ham United released that has become a retro classic, loved by fans today?
Premier League supporters who have followed the competition throughout its 32-season history will remember some greats of the game. Eric Cantona will live long in the memory of soccer fanatics, not just for that infamous karate kick. Rio Ferdinand is one of the Premier League’s best defenders, while Steven Gerrard is one of the most commanding midfielders ever to ply their trade in the EPL. Remember Peter Schmeichel, the Man Utd goalkeeper who paved the way for his son to follow in his footsteps and play Premier League soccer?
Reliable goalkeepers, solid defenders, and imaginative midfielders are great, but the main attraction is forwards. The men who score the goals that win games, trophies, and Premier League titles live forever in the hearts of fans. They are the stars of the sport, and everyone has at least one favorite Premier League attacker from the past. Who is your golden boy?
You may love the youthful ambition of Michael Owen, who burst onto the scene at Liverpool, or Wayne Rooney, who emerged from the famed Everton youth academy to become a Man Utd legend. Keep reading as we recall some of the EPL’s best scorers.
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Alan Shearer – 260 Goals
Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer with an astonishing 260 goals. Most of his illustrious career was at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, where he showcased his predatory instincts and remarkable consistency in the box. Shearer’s powerful strikes, impeccable positioning, and clinical finishing made him a true icon of English soccer, never to be forgotten.
Shearer’s most prolific season came in the 1994-95 campaign when he scored 34 goals for Blackburn Rovers, earning him the Golden Boot. His career is an enduring testament to the value of a classic number nine, and his record as the Premier League’s top scorer remains unchallenged.
Wayne Rooney – 208 Goals
Wayne Rooney, a household name in English football, ranks high on the list of all-time Premier League goalscorers with 208 goals. Rooney burst onto the scene as a teenager with Everton before making a high-profile move to Manchester United. His versatility, incredible work rate, and penchant for scoring spectacular goals endeared him to fans worldwide.
Rooney’s career saw him lift numerous Premier League titles with Manchester United, and he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. Whether as a striker or an attacking midfielder, Rooney’s ability to influence games and score crucial goals made him one of the league’s most iconic figures.
Andy Cole – 187 Goals
Andy Cole, another prolific striker from the Premier League’s early years, notched 187 goals. Cole played for several top clubs, including Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Blackburn Rovers. His partnership with Peter Beardsley at Newcastle United in the 1993-94 season was particularly memorable, as they played an instrumental role in the club’s title challenge.
Cole’s pace, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. His goal tally and memorable moments are etched into the league’s history books, solidifying his status as one of the Premier League’s greatest goalscorers.
Frank Lampard – 177 Goals
Frank Lampard, known for his exceptional midfield prowess, is an anomaly on this list as an attacking midfielder. Despite this, he is the fifth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history with 177 goals. Lampard spent most of his Premier League career with Chelsea, where he became iconic.
Lampard’s ability to arrive late in the box and score crucial goals set him apart. He was also renowned for his long-range strikes and precision from set-pieces. His remarkable consistency in front of goal earned him three Premier League titles with Chelsea and multiple individual accolades.
What’s next?
Who will be the next scoring sensation in the Premier League? Harry Kane was expected to challenge Alan Shearer and was ahead of the curve during the early seasons of his career, but he opted for a move to Bayern Munich in the summer. Will former Spurs striker Kane return to England and pick up where he left off? That remains unclear, but if the Londoner is serious about beating Shearer’s record, he must get back to the Premier League ASAP, as time is against him in such a competitive race.
Could Erling Haaland continue last season’s scoring streak? The towering striker set the EPL alight on his debut season for Man City and has hit the ground running this term. He is well behind the greats who played more games in England, but if Haaland were to spend the rest of his career in England, he might get close.
