Manchester United v Arsenal
Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo battling it out in their Premier League days (Picture: Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has picked his top 10 forwards in the history of the Premier League, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry coming out on top.
The Liverpool legend was naming his top 10 and left out some big names, including the likes of Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez.
It was the Frenchman who came out as number one, though, with Carragher saying his personal battles with him left him feeling incapable of dealing with the former Gunners hitman.
‘I think it’s universally thought that you are the best player to play in the Premier League,’ Carragher said to Henry on Sky Sports.
‘I think most people would look at your time…I played against a few of these players, and in the main it was a battle, Thierry is the one player on that list that made me feel completely inferior, that I couldn’t cope.
‘Pace, physicality, skill, there wasn’t any area I thought there was a weakness or a chink in the armour where I thought I could get the better of him.’
Carragher added: ‘He scored over 20 Premier League goals in a season and over 20 Premier League assists as well. That’s an all-round footballer and I think that all-round ability makes you number one.’
Jamie Carragher's top 10 Premier League forwards
Thierry Henry
Mohamed Salah
Cristiano Ronaldo
Eric Cantona
Didier Drogba
Wayne Rooney
Alan Shearer
Eden Hazard
Dennis Bergkamp
Gareth Bale
The Premier League’s all-time record goal-scorer Alan Shearer was somewhat surprisingly down in seventh on Carragher’s list, but he said that a lack of silverware cost the ex-Newcastle man.
‘I hold quite a high stock with the trophy situation,’ said Carragher. ‘I know he won the Premier League but I just think of him making that move to Newcastle.
‘He does his job at Newcastle, but I’m not saying they had to win the league, but even an FA Cup or a UEFA Cup. That’s the thing when I’ve picked other players ahead of him.’
Alan Shearer Celebrates Leeds United v Newcastle United 1996
Alan Shearer won the Premier League with Blackburn but not Newcastle (Picture: Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
Henry said of getting the nod: ‘When you’re part of that list you’re already a winner really. It’s just up to what you like. Some people might not like me or prefer Ronaldo, and I understand that, but you give me this one I will take it.’
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