Souness' Choice: The Best Premier League Player According To The Legend

Pedro Alvarez

4 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

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Souness's Likely Criteria for the "Best" Player

Graeme Souness, renowned for his fiery temperament and uncompromising style, wouldn't base his "best Premier League player" selection solely on statistics. His criteria would likely prioritize intangible qualities as much as raw talent.

Mentality and Leadership

Souness, a captain who led by example, would highly value mental fortitude and leadership. The best player, in his eyes, wouldn't just possess skill, but also the will to win and the ability to inspire teammates.

• Winning mentality: A relentless drive to succeed, even in the face of adversity.
• Ability to perform under pressure: Delivering consistently in high-stakes matches and crucial moments.
• Influence on team dynamics: A positive impact on the morale and performance of fellow players.
• Examples: Players like Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard embody this, leading their teams with passion and unwavering determination, characteristics Souness himself displayed.

Technical Prowess and Skill

While mental strength is paramount, Souness would undoubtedly appreciate exceptional technical ability. He'd look for players with a mastery of the ball, demonstrating precision and flair.

• Dribbling skills: The ability to beat opponents with ease and create scoring opportunities.
• Passing range and accuracy: The capacity to distribute the ball effectively across the pitch.
• Clinical finishing: The ability to convert chances into goals with precision and composure.
• Examples: Players like David Beckham, with his pinpoint crosses, and Thierry Henry, with his lethal finishing ability, showcase the technical brilliance Souness would admire.

Consistency and Longevity

Sustained excellence over a long period is crucial. Souness wouldn't be impressed by fleeting brilliance; he’d value consistent top-level performances across many seasons.

• Years at the top level: Maintaining a high level of play for an extended period.
• Consistent performance across seasons: Avoiding significant dips in form throughout their career.
• Adaptation to changing roles and teams: The versatility to adapt to different systems and team dynamics.
• Examples: Frank Lampard's prolific goal-scoring across many seasons and Ryan Giggs' longevity at Manchester United highlight this sustained excellence.

Potential Candidates for Souness's "Best" Premier League Player

Based on Souness's likely criteria, several players emerge as strong contenders. Let's analyze their strengths and weaknesses in the context of Souness’s preferences.

Analyzing Top Contenders

Several players stand out as potential candidates for Souness's "best Premier League player" accolade. Each possesses unique qualities, but we'll evaluate them based on Souness’s likely criteria.

• Alan Shearer: A prolific goalscorer with exceptional strength and a winning mentality, but perhaps lacking the all-around game of some other contenders.
• Eric Cantona: A charismatic leader with immense skill and influence, but his career was relatively shorter than others.
• Patrick Vieira: A dominant midfield presence with exceptional leadership qualities and technical ability, a true leader.
• Paul Scholes: A technically gifted midfielder with exceptional passing range, vision, and consistent performances.
• Roy Keane: The epitome of leadership and passion. A fierce competitor but perhaps lacking the consistent goal scoring of some other candidates.

The Case for Patrick Vieira

Considering Souness's own playing style – combative, commanding, and influential – Patrick Vieira emerges as the most likely choice. Vieira possessed the complete package: unwavering leadership, exceptional technical ability, and a sustained period of excellence.

• Examples: Vieira's commanding presence in midfield, his ability to dictate play, and his consistent performances for Arsenal throughout a significant part of the Premier League’s history align perfectly with Souness's preferences.
• Comparisons: While players like Alan Shearer were prolific goalscorers, Vieira’s all-around contribution to the team—his leadership and influence—makes him a stronger candidate in Souness's eyes.

Conclusion

This article explored the likely criteria Graeme Souness would use to select the best Premier League player, analyzing potential candidates against his standards of leadership, technical skill, and consistent excellence. The evidence strongly suggests Patrick Vieira is the most probable choice. His combination of fierce competitiveness, tactical awareness, and sustained excellence at the highest level strongly aligns with what we know of Souness's values and preferences.

Call to Action: Who do you think is the best Premier League player according to Souness’s likely criteria? Share your thoughts and your "Souness' Choice" in the comments below! Let's discuss the ultimate "Souness' Choice" for the best Premier League player and debate the merits of other strong candidates.