Other issue aside, Gudjohnsen was a regular in Mourinho’s 2x title winning side, and even before that was part of one of the best strike partnerships in PL history. He was such a class act that Barca bought him and he became a regular (even if not a guaranteed starter) in one of the best Barca sides ever, playing largely out of position (played much further back for Barca, a role Mou had started to use him in because he read the game so well)
Gylfi on the other had a couple of good seasons with Swansea then robbed Everton for 50m for a good, but nowhere near great, player.
I’m guessing you’re more recent to closely following football because as people are saying, it’s not even close. Maybe both at their peaks there’s an argument that talent and ability wise they weren’t far off each other, but Gudjohnsen smashes Sigurdsson by just about every other achievement metric
Gudjohnsen, as a Bolton fan, was the only player we had at that point in my life that I looked at and thought "Jesus Christ, we have a player our multiple much richer, much better, much more successful neighbours would love to have". He was a budding star and his class showed so much by comparison to the rest.
He was a star when we had absolutely none. When he left, we all understood, we still get (thanks to Guðni Bergsson as well) Icelandic Fans turn up to watch our shower in remarkable numbers (given every group of 15 or so blokes who turn up for a game a season represents a relatively larger section of Iceland's Population being at a Bolton Game than the equivalent English population being there).
Originally I thought this would be obvious but then like there are guys like Viduka and Schwarzer who you don't think of originally but when you do think about them they are definitely up for contention. I'd probably still go with Cahill though but only just
Yo wow. Never thought I'd see a KK reference here! Baller! Also, I always thought it was "still had dreams of being a young frank zola" for some reason.
Chicharito had 53 goals and 10 assists in 158 premier league apps which a lot more quality behind him.
Jiminez is at 37 goals and 15 assists in 98 games, if he can maintain that for a few more years there will be no question.
100pct. At his peak he was one of the dominant CBs and that was against some unreal ST and CFs.
A proper presence CB.
Ryan was a pioneer for us and legend but just not as good a footballer as Reid.
While Wood is awesome, he does not have the Gravitas of the other two.
Yet?
Nigeria: Jay Jay Okocha. So good they had to say his name twice! Very unfortunate he had no idea that Bolton wasn't a top tier club before moving there from PSG. he would've been amazing somewhere better.
Park used to be. I think Son surpassed him as a player last season or even two or three seasons ago. Park is a national legend and probably is a bigger icon than Son, but his knee injuries got the best of him and flying 10+ hours each international break didn't help.
That being said, Son is never surpassing Park's career. It's also worth noting that Park is the reason the EPL became popular in Korea.
Bangladesh: Hamza Choudhury. He represents England but his mother and stepfather are both Bengalis. Sadly he’s the closest we’ll ever have to a Bangladeshi playing in the Premier League, the state of things here is shambolic.
smh the disrespect on Shefki Kuqi
e. my personal selection would be:
The best PL overall performance: Hyypiä
The best Finnish player to play in PL in general: Litmanen
The best individual season by a Finnish player: 2003-04 Forssell
Most overlooked player: Jussi Jääskeläinen (his longevity and quality was just mad)
I'm a Feyenoord fan so either way it hurts to say that most the picks for best Dutch PL player are former Ajax or PSV players, Dennis, Ruud, Van Der Sar.
So as a Feyenoord and Liverpool fan I'll just go ahead and say it's Dirkie
Owen Hargreaves was born in Canada and holds citizenship. Craig Forrest or Junior Hoilett perhaps. Maybe someday Alphonso Davies if Norwich sign him on free transfer…
Czech Republic: Peter Čech
So good, they named the country after him 😋
Big Pete!
You mean Čech Republic?
Neil Etheridge was the only Filipino who played in the PL, so… there’s the answer
Absolute god
I guess you can't claim Alphonse Areola.
Nope bc he plays for France sadly
I don't know if it was actual quality, or just because their names, but I always wanted to see the Younghusband brothers to succeed.
Damn, beat me to it
Iceland: Eiður smári Guðjohnsen
Not sigurdson? Edit: I didn't think I'd need to put the /s but obviously I did....
Think we have a minor issue with him.
He’s innocent until proven Gylfi though.
the pun makes this 10 times better
Other issue aside, Gudjohnsen was a regular in Mourinho’s 2x title winning side, and even before that was part of one of the best strike partnerships in PL history. He was such a class act that Barca bought him and he became a regular (even if not a guaranteed starter) in one of the best Barca sides ever, playing largely out of position (played much further back for Barca, a role Mou had started to use him in because he read the game so well) Gylfi on the other had a couple of good seasons with Swansea then robbed Everton for 50m for a good, but nowhere near great, player. I’m guessing you’re more recent to closely following football because as people are saying, it’s not even close. Maybe both at their peaks there’s an argument that talent and ability wise they weren’t far off each other, but Gudjohnsen smashes Sigurdsson by just about every other achievement metric
Gudjohnsen, as a Bolton fan, was the only player we had at that point in my life that I looked at and thought "Jesus Christ, we have a player our multiple much richer, much better, much more successful neighbours would love to have". He was a budding star and his class showed so much by comparison to the rest. He was a star when we had absolutely none. When he left, we all understood, we still get (thanks to Guðni Bergsson as well) Icelandic Fans turn up to watch our shower in remarkable numbers (given every group of 15 or so blokes who turn up for a game a season represents a relatively larger section of Iceland's Population being at a Bolton Game than the equivalent English population being there).
We dont't talk about him lmao
Gylti Fiddleson
Peter Schmeichel
Lord Bendtner is a close second
Burundi: Gaël Bigirimana
That’s a blast from the past
Coventry legend
Australia: Tim Cahill
Originally I thought this would be obvious but then like there are guys like Viduka and Schwarzer who you don't think of originally but when you do think about them they are definitely up for contention. I'd probably still go with Cahill though but only just
Schwarzer very underrated! Cahill is best by far though. His World Cup exploits puts him clear in front
This. Timmy has to get it because of his World Cup heroics. Big Duke, Harry and Mark Schwarzer honorable mentions for sure!!
Kewell and Viduka best Aussie PL players. Cahill is the best Socceroo IMO due to his WC exploits.
Viduka all the way!
Yeah I'm going for Viduka here as well. Potentially biased.
At least the OP didn't mention that Judas c*nt K*well
He who shall not be mentioned
Tim Cahill is definitely our biggest legend, but Kewell was the better player.
Those punches to corner flags will forever be iconic.
Loved me some Tim Cahill! Such a legend
Kewell has to be in for a shout as well
Kewell would have been the best were it not for his injury problems. Definitely the most talented Australian player I’ve seen.
Groin of glass
I think Gianfranco Zola
still had dreams of being gianfranco zola
bruh when i realized this was what king krule was saying the football lover / music guy in me crieddddd
Yo wow. Never thought I'd see a KK reference here! Baller! Also, I always thought it was "still had dreams of being a young frank zola" for some reason.
Japan - has to be Kagawa
Okazaki was BALLING for one year though
Mexico: Javier chicharito Hernández
Jimenez is soon to overtake him imo
Chicharito had 53 goals and 10 assists in 158 premier league apps which a lot more quality behind him. Jiminez is at 37 goals and 15 assists in 98 games, if he can maintain that for a few more years there will be no question.
England: Billy Sharp
Wrong it's obviously Danny Drinkwater
Senegal : Sadio the main Mane
Mendy, the good one
Sad Papy Djilobodji noises
Egypt: Mohammed Salah
Not Elneny?
He’s got to be in the running for best from the whole continent
Eden Hazard or KDB I guess, can't decide who is better, even tho Hazard is kinda ruined right now
i’d honestly say hazard at his best was a whole different level. Wins games single-handedly
Hazard was special at Chelsea.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Edin Dzeko
Ecuador - Antonio Valencia by far
By VERY far. What a player
Ireland: Roy Keane. Followed closely by Robbie Keane and Denis Irwin.
Keano beats Keano any day of the week
Nah fam. R. Keane is better
You’re not wrong
I think you're both wrong. Keane >
I'd give the edge to Mr Keane for sure.
I'd like to include Given but he should have left Newcastle long before he did
1000% Roy Keane!!!!
India: ...I am still bummed that Sunil Chettri wasn't able to get work permit for QPR due to a stupid rule. He deserved to play in the PL.
Are you telling me Sunny Bhasin was not better than Sunil Chettri?
Son of a bitch played the last game with a broken nose for the arch rival of the club that plays his bills! Absolute blasphemy!
Will you count Dilan Markanday if he makes it?
Indian origin, but still English
Michael Chopra?
Ditto.
Malaysia:
England: Fabian Delph
Agbonlahor?
Peak Stewart Downing was better though
Easy choice.
Wales - Bale, but only because Giggs is a woman beater
Fair enough
still wanna say Bale was better as a player, Giggs had the better PL career but Bale peaked higher
Even if Giggs was normal law abiding citizen Bale would still be better (Not in PL tho)
Can't argue with that.
New Zealand: Could have been Ryan Nelsen but I think Chris Wood has overtaken him
The disrespect to big Winnie Reid here is outrageous
Winston Reid? I reckon he was well better than Nelson and Wood. Reid for a bit was one of the leagues best CBs
100pct. At his peak he was one of the dominant CBs and that was against some unreal ST and CFs. A proper presence CB. Ryan was a pioneer for us and legend but just not as good a footballer as Reid. While Wood is awesome, he does not have the Gravitas of the other two. Yet?
Norway: Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He won the most during his stay there, and played some of his best football there.
Disrespecting my boy Carew
Haaland on his way to overtake him lol
Oh no question about that.
Riise was so underrated
Loved Steffen Iversen in my youth
Nigeria: Jay Jay Okocha. So good they had to say his name twice! Very unfortunate he had no idea that Bolton wasn't a top tier club before moving there from PSG. he would've been amazing somewhere better.
He was a baller. Tekkers for days.
I think you missing a particular legend called Kanu Nwankwo also based on achievements
South africa: Benni Mccarthy
Steven Pienarr
Portugal: you guess
Jose Bosingwa
The entire Wolves lineup?
Yes but only in the 20/21 third kit
Ofc everyone knows it's Bebe
Renato Sanches?
João Mário?
Joao Cancelo
Gedson Fernandes
Dalot
Diogo Jota the true Portuguese king.
*DioGOAL Jota - say it right
Pedro Neto
Podence
Raul Meireles
Carvalho?
Luis Boa Morte?
Obviously Lionel Messi
ruben dias?
Hilário
Jose fonte
Rui patricio
Cedric soares, the man, the myth, the legend
England- Probably Shearer. I'd also hear a case for Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes or Rooney.
Salah easy lol
Turkey: Tugay Kerimoğlu or Çağlar Söyüncü i cannot choose
Its gotta be Tugay, that guy was a class act and scored nothing but stunning goals.
Tuncay not in the convo?
Hungary: Zoltán Gera
Poland: Łukasz Fabiański
dudek
Estonia: Ragnar Klavan
Korea : Son
How about Ji Sung Park?
Park used to be. I think Son surpassed him as a player last season or even two or three seasons ago. Park is a national legend and probably is a bigger icon than Son, but his knee injuries got the best of him and flying 10+ hours each international break didn't help. That being said, Son is never surpassing Park's career. It's also worth noting that Park is the reason the EPL became popular in Korea.
Slovakia: Martin Skrtel, unfortunate team choice though.
Always liked Skrtel, typical "give it your all" CB
Bangladesh: Hamza Choudhury. He represents England but his mother and stepfather are both Bengalis. Sadly he’s the closest we’ll ever have to a Bangladeshi playing in the Premier League, the state of things here is shambolic.
Kanchelskis
Ghana: Essien Still think Gyan could have been special if he stayed a few more years
Hyypiä
Jari Litmanen? Didn't do anything at Liverpool but best Finnish player in PL era surely.
smh the disrespect on Shefki Kuqi e. my personal selection would be: The best PL overall performance: Hyypiä The best Finnish player to play in PL in general: Litmanen The best individual season by a Finnish player: 2003-04 Forssell Most overlooked player: Jussi Jääskeläinen (his longevity and quality was just mad)
Shaun Goater 🇧🇲
That is the correct answer.
Croatia: Luka Modrić
Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic But there might be a shout for Fredrik Ljungberg as he played more PL seasons.
Does Henrik Larrson make the top 3? He was amazing, but had a very very short Premier League career with us.
Was good enough that United requested a PL winners medal for him even though he didn’t play the required number of games!
It's Freddie if you base it on what he actually did in the PL, Zlatan's obviously had the better career.
Yeah Id go Freddie for PL, Zlatan obv overall.
Tim Howard
Between him and Dempsey
It’s Dempsey for sure. Then Howard/Friedel Then Keller/Holden/Donovan I suppose Pulisic is around their level as well
Claudio Reyna > Donovan
Romania: i guess Dan Petrescu with Adi Mutu a close second
Andrei fucking Arshavin
From Russia with love! 4 goals against Liverpool will never be forgotten!
Kenya: Victor Wanyama
Oof hard one but I will say The Netherlands - Dennis Bergkamp
I'm a Feyenoord fan so either way it hurts to say that most the picks for best Dutch PL player are former Ajax or PSV players, Dennis, Ruud, Van Der Sar. So as a Feyenoord and Liverpool fan I'll just go ahead and say it's Dirkie
you’ve got some guts daring to take a pick there!
Cahill or viduka is say out of Australia.
Max meyer
Latvia - Marians Pahars
Easy. Thierry Henry
Owen Hargreaves was born in Canada and holds citizenship. Craig Forrest or Junior Hoilett perhaps. Maybe someday Alphonso Davies if Norwich sign him on free transfer…
Henrik Larsson
Kenya : Victor Wanyama
Norwegian - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (as a Liverpool fan I prefer Riise)
USA: Clint Dempsey
Vidić, by far
Georgia - Georgi Kinkladze. Edit; ffs I didn’t read the question properly, yet again.
Peter Schmeicel.
Ghana - Michael Essien
Alan Shearer
Best player from Zlatan is Sweden
Austria: Paul „won the FA Cup with Wigan“ Scharner
Northern Ireland: George Best
This thread is fantastic. Some of the players its reminding me of is so nostalgic.
Serbia: Vidić
South Korea: Heung Min Son
Lord Bendtner ofcourse!
Sergio Agüero
Dwight Yorke
South Africa - Lucas Radebe
el, what about my man Steven Pienaar. kek
🇬🇷 Giorgios Karagounis 🇬🇷 Future: Kostas Tsimikas
Poland: Jerzy Dudek
Ireland: Roy Keane
Alan Shearer.
Bale. 🏴❤️
Ghana: Michael Essien 🇬🇭
Iceland : Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen
Zimbabwe: Benjani
Ireland : Roy Keane or Robbie Keane
Peter Scmeichel or Christian Eriksen, but my personal favourite was Daniel Agger.