The best foreign player to have played in the English Premier league is...
72The greatest player to have played in the English Premier League is...
Over the years there have been a number of foreign players that have lit up the English Premier League. Zola, Bergkamp, Cantona and Van Nistelrooy are all now household names following successful playing careers in England. However, in my opinion, one person stands out from the crowd. Thierry Henry arrived at Arsenal in 1999 as somewhat of an unknown. He left for Barcelona in 2007 as an Arsenal legend.
What made Henry special?
There are a number of reasons why Thierry Henry was as successful as he was. Blessed with pace, power and an eye for goal, he had all the neccessary traits needed to establish himself as a top Premier League striker. At a time when pace was becoming more and more of a factor in top flight football, Henry was perhaps the quickest of them all. His ability to glide past defenders was quite staggering. When presented with a goal scoring opportunity, Henry would take his chance more often than not. He was renowned for the variety of goals he scored. His abiltiy to score from a variety of distances with both feet is what made him so difficult to stop during his time in the English Premier League.
Awards
During his stay in England, Henry won a number of trophies and picked up plenty of individual awards. As well as winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup three times and the FA Community Shield twice, his individual form led to several personal accolades. He was named PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, European Golden Boot twice, Premier League Top Scorer four times, Player of the Month four times and the FWA Footballer of the Year three times. Added to this Henry was named in several 'Team of the Year' selctions and also won International awards during his time at Arsenal.
3 Memorable Theirry Henry Goals
1. Arsenal v Manchester United, October 1st 2000
At the height of the two clubs' great rivalry, one moment of genius from Henry won the game for the home side. With his back to goal and seemingly little on, the striker received a simple pass by flicking the ball up, turning and volleying it home from 20 yards with his right foot.
2. Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur, 16th November 2002
Henry picked up a loose ball and ran from deep inside his own half past three, before coolly curling the ball inside the far post from eight yards.
3. Arsenal v Liverpool, April 9th 2004
With the scores level at half time, Henry picked the ball up on the half way line and went past three or four Liverpool defenders before slotting home. What a goal!
Henry's Move To Barcelona
Henry left Arsenal in 2007 having captained the side for the prvious two seasons. Having arrived as an unknown he left as the club's leading goal scorer of all time and one of the tru Arsenal greats. As a Manchester United fan, it pains me to say this but...Thierry Henry is the greatest foreign player to play in the Premier League!
Henry's Best Goal?
Which of the 3 goals listed do you feel is the best?
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George Best springs to mind and kenny dalgliesh.....jimmy
I have to be honest, I didn't even consider Schmeichel when thinking about the best foreign player to have played in the Premiership. I agree with you that he was a key factor in Manchester United's success. I think the fact that it took nearly 10 years to sufficiently replace him says it all.
jimmythejock the question was
The best foreign player to have played in the English Premier league is...
1) George Best was from Northern Ireland and Kenny Dagleish was from Scotland both countries being part of the British Isles therefore they weren't foreign
and
2) Neither played in the Premier League!!
Paolo Di Canio and Roy Keane deserve a mention surely?
What about Eric Cantona, surly he deserves a mention
Scousebaz - Whilst I think Di Canio was an unbelieveable talent, I don't think he had the same impact over a period of time as Thierry Henry. I don't really consider Roy Keane to be foreign...perhaps I shold. If I did consider him as 'foreign' then he would certainly make my shortlist.
mickg - As a massive Manchester United supporter I was a huge fan of Eric Cantona. In terms of natural ability he would certainly be up there. I still would go with Henry though as he played for 8 years in the Premier League. Cantona only played in the Premier League for 5 years.
Thanks for your comments
In Arsenal.com/, they rate Henry as the #1 Arsenal man. He came into the club as someone who wasn't famous, but he left Arsenal as a legend. His prime was at Arsenal. At Barca, he has to play as a winger, which really holds him down.
Yes he did arrive in the Premiership as some what of an unknown. Wenger certainly seems to have a talent for spotting players with potential and turning them into world class players. Fabregas is another to fall into that category but for now I definitely think that Henry was his best signing. Thanks for your comment.
I agree with your choice here, but only just. I do believe that he was the best foreign player to play in the league... and probably the worlds second best player for a few years (after Zidane), but was he the most important foreign player to play in the league? I would say that Bergkamp and Cantona were the most important, for the way that they revolutionised the league. By the time that Henry came, the league almost expected to see top foreign players... but only thanks to the moments of genius of Bergkamp and Cantona. Good Topic.
I don't think you can leave Bill Nicholson out of this discussion.
Sorry, I can't agree. For me the best foreign player was Kenny Dalglish . . (well Scotland is a foreign country isn't it)? :)
What about Roy Keane? As an Irishman he is as forigen as a player from any other EU country. And he would have to be up there or thereabouts
What about Roy Keane? As an Irishman he is as forigen as a player from any other EU country. And he would have to be up there or thereabouts
henrik larsson is defo up there without question,unbelievable player
sure henry was the best foreign player ever played in premier league
BristolBoy Level 1 Commenter 3 years ago
I cannot fault your argument here. However, one player who come to mind straight away when I saw the original question was Peter Schmeichel. Didn't score as many goals as the other players you have identified but was extremely good in goal for Manchester United and argubly a key reason for why they won so many trophies whilst he was at the club.