What would the ultimate Premier League footballer look like? According to a major new survey, this perfect player would be a spectacular hybrid of the division's greatest ever talents.
A poll of 2,000 British football fans, commissioned by OLBG, has constructed the ideal baller, piece by piece. The research, which also involved designers, combined the most admired attributes from legends of the English game into one super-powered concept player.
The Blueprint for Footballing Perfection
The results paint a clear picture. For the perfect left foot, supporters looked to Liverpool's goal machine Mo Salah. When it comes to relentless energy and work rate, the unanimous choice was the indefatigable N'Golo Kanté, formerly of Chelsea. And for the footballing brain, the strategic intelligence to dictate a game, fans selected Manchester City's maestro, Kevin De Bruyne.
However, one name dominated the poll more than any other. Cristiano Ronaldo, during his legendary spell with Manchester United, was the fans' top pick for multiple attributes. The Portuguese superstar's right foot, blistering pace, and clinical finishing ability were all deemed essential for the ultimate player.
Ronaldo's influence did not stop there. Supporters also voted for his dribbling skill, trickery, ball control, and heading ability to be included in the final build. This overwhelming selection cemented his status as a key component of the perfect Premier League footballer.
Leadership, Strength, and a Deadly Free-Kick
The research went beyond pure technical skill to incorporate other vital characteristics. For leadership, fans looked to the fierce competitiveness of former Manchester United captain and now broadcaster, Roy Keane. A sense of humour was also important, with nearly 16% of respondents awarding that honour to the popular pundit and ex-striker Peter Crouch.
Other legends muscled their way into the mix. More than one in ten fans wanted to inject the raw power and strength of Chelsea icon Didier Drogba. When it came to set-pieces, the nod went to the recently knighted Sir David Beckham, with almost a third (30%) of those polled selecting his unparalleled free-kick taking ability.
Kevin De Bruyne made a second appearance for his passing, while N'Golo Kanté was also chosen again, this time for his superior tackling.
What Makes the Ultimate Player and What's Missing Today?
The survey also revealed what fans value most in a footballer. The top five most important attributes were identified as:
- Finishing ability (56%)
- Passing ability (49%)
- Ball control (47%)
- Pace (43%)
- Football IQ (43%)
When asked about the qualities missing in today's top players compared to legends of the past, the results were telling. Loyalty to one club was the top answer, cited by 44% of fans. This was followed by humility and a grounded attitude (35%), and a consistent work ethic (35%). A third of supporters also felt that visible passion for the club badge is not as prevalent in the modern game.
Jake Ashton from OLBG commented on the findings, saying: "This would be some player. Putting together these legends of the Premier League into one skin is such an interesting debate. Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo at the forefront of fans' minds shows just how good he has been, especially as he played in the same era as other greats like Gerrard, Lampard, and Henry."
He added, "It would be really interesting to see how much of the Portuguese legend people would still put into the perfect player in 10 years' time, once today's emerging talents have made their own mark."
