EPL has been the breeding ground for legendary wingers!
When discussing Premier League wingers, iconic names like Ryan Giggs or Mohamed Salah immediately come to mind, showcasing their prowess running down the flanks. The highly competitive European football league has been home to numerous talented players across various clubs. Among them, Premier League wingers have played a distinctive and crucial role on the field. Recently, these EPL wing players have evolved beyond mere playmakers, actively contributing to goal-scoring—a shift that has elevated their importance on the pitch, almost comparable to strikers. Among many exceptional EPL wing players, determining the absolute best in Premier League history proves challenging. So, without further delay, let's look into the profiles of some of the Premier League's finest wingers throughout history!
A key figure in one of Arsenal's finest squads, Robert Pires is widely acknowledged as one of the standout Premier League wingers. Operating primarily on the left flank during his prime under Arsene Wenger, Pires showcased exceptional dribbling and goal-scoring prowess. His versatility allowed him to contribute both as a winger and as an attacking midfielder. Playing a crucial role alongside Arsenal legends like Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg, and Thierry Henry, Pires played a pivotal part in the club's historic invincible run during the 2003–04 season. His peak years from 2002 to 2005 saw him net 14 goals in each of those three seasons.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah exemplifies the evolving role of Premier League wingers, transcending from playmakers to prolific goal-scorers. Since joining Liverpool, Salah has consistently delivered remarkable performances, earning a reputation as one of the world's best players. His goal-scoring consistency, with 20+ league goals each season since joining, showcases his transformation from a traditional right-winger. Salah's impact extends beyond goals, contributing over 50 assists in his 152 appearances. His standout season saw him score a record-breaking 32 goals. Salah continues to shine, breaking records and solidifying his status as one of the Premier League's top wingers.
No discussion about the best Premier League wingers is complete without mentioning the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo established himself as an exceptional winger in his initial stint at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, showcasing quick dribbling skills and long-range accuracy. Amassing 292 appearances and scoring 118 goals with 69 assists, Ronaldo left a solid imprint before moving to Real Madrid. His return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 saw Ronaldo continue his goal-scoring prowess.
David Beckham is undeniably one of the greatest footballers in history, rightfully earning his place among the top Premier League wingers. With an impressive eleven-year stint at Old Trafford, Beckham made significant contributions individually and as part of a successful team. Famous for his magical right foot, he possessed the ability to execute the extraordinary, often delivering his trademark inswinging crosses into the box. The former Manchester United player also excelled as a set-piece taker, showcasing the same bending finesse that became synonymous with his name. To underscore his inclusion in the list of top EPL wing players, Beckham notched 85 goals and provided 101 assists in his 338 appearances for Manchester United.
As mentioned earlier, selecting the best Premier League winger was challenging, and inevitably, some prominent names needed help to cut. A few noteworthy mentions among Premier League wingers include Freddie Ljungberg, Ryan Giggs, Sadio Mane, Riyadh Mahrez, and Gareth Bale.
