Best foreign Prem XI ever?

[Pablo]

it's better than Babayaro, no?

Just about. Anyway that's not the worst pick, Reece picked Gravesen

[Shaggy]

http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2011/03/15/henry-the-king-of-all-time-premier-league-foreign-star-xi-1500302/

Henry the king of all-time Premier League foreign star XI
By Sportingintelligence
15 March 2011

On the back of our feature about how Patrick Vieria was selected in 2003 as the best foreign player in English football up to then, we’ve conducted a poll via Twitter @sportingintel to see who our readers and other fans would select in an #AllTimeForeignXI.

Without further ado, below is the resulting composite team as things stands this lunchtime. Peter Schmeichel was the massively overwhelming choice in goal, selected in 70 per cent of the teams.

Theirry Henry appeared in 85 per cent of line-ups, more than any other player, with Vieira the next most popular player (in 81 per cent of teams) then Cristiano Ronaldo (77 per cent).

A four-man defence seemed the way to go, as it was the most popular choice. And we therefore picked the most popular natural right-back (Dan Petrescu) and left-back (Patrice Evra), rather than put centre-halves in those positions.

For the record, Evra was the most selected defender anyway (in 62 per cent of teams). Petrescu (in 23 per cent of teams) did not have as many votes as Marcel Desailly (45 per cent) or Sami Hyypia (34 per cent), but he had more than any other right-back.

Desailly and Hyypia lost out in the centre of defence to Japp Stam (51 per cent) and Nemanja Vidic (47 per cent).

Ronaldo and Vieira were the clear first choices in midfield, with Xabi Alonso pipping Robert Pires for the third berth.

Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Eric Cantona got the nod for all getting more votes than Pires – that’s why we’ve gone with three up front, not 4-4-2, with Bergkamp in the hole.

This dream team hails from Denmark, Romania, The Netherlands, Serbia, Portugal, Spain and (most heavily represented) France. Between them, the players won Footballer of Year in England in 1996 (Cantona), 1998 (Bergkamp), three times between 2003 and 2006 (Henry) and twice 2006-08 (Ronaldo). Our XI also have a sackload of medals.
We think they’d give any challengers a run for their money. The depth of talent is illustrated by the players who missed out on the XI but made the 25-man squad. See bottom of graphic.

For all those who voted, thanks.

[Pablo]

Bizarre really that there were so few good RBs.

[Exiled_red]

For me:

Schmeichel

Babbel Hyypia Desailly Evra

Ronaldo Vieira Alonso Overmars

Bergkamp Henry

I'll tell you one thing judging by some of the fullbacks making it in the lineups there has been a lack of quality in those positions

[RedReet]

Bizarre really that there were so few good RBs.

For me:

Schmeichel

Babbel Hyypia Desailly Evra

Ronaldo Vieira Alonso Overmars

Bergkamp Henry

I'll tell you one thing judging by some of the fullbacks making it in the lineups there has been a lack of quality in those positions

I mentioned the same in another thread pointing out that if you picked an all time 11, the pool of FB's would be quite small. People need to remember this when they keep slating Johnson, because a good replacement won't be easy to find. Kelly is doing a decent job now, but it's far too early to make him our No.1 RB. Just look at the money Chelsea have spent over the years trying to fill that RB spot, and they still end up relying on a converted CB. Even look at our own situation, how long have we been looking for a decent LB?

[RichC]

yup, I was sat here scratching my head for real top quality full backs - why I ended up with going with 3 CB's as I'd have been putting someone in for the sake of it.

I mean Dan Pet rescue !! Decent footballing pro but best foreign RB in the league, must be some serious slim pickings!

[Assassin]

I'm really surprised Jan Molby isnt in any of the squads. He would be my first pick in midfield. He was far better than Alonso

[Pablo]

I'm really surprised Jan Molby isnt in any of the squads. He would be my first pick in midfield. He was far better than Alonso

Too fat, and Alonso had better hair

[Assassin]

Too fat, and Alonso had better hair

Slightly stout, maybe But nobody comes close to his passing ability

[Pablo]

Slightly stout, maybe But nobody comes close to his passing ability

But Alonso had a better beard

[little dave hedgehog]

bearded alonso was nails.

incidentally, the shaven alonso was the fake alonso.

[Assassin]

But Alonso had a better beard

Real men dont do beards

[Pablo]

Real men dont do beards

Molby wasn't enough of a man to grow one.

Even if he had, he probably would have ate it

[Assassin]

Molby wasn't enough of a man to grow one.

Even if he had, he probably would have ate it

Being the size of 2 Alonso's it is difficult to grow that amount of hair

[little dave hedgehog]

i once saw alonso burst out through the eye of a giant sea monster, and yell "xabi alonsooooooooooooooooooooo!!!" as he fell back into the sea. it was epic.