Paul Merson Breaks Down The Five Greatest Foreign Players In Premier League History 🌍 | Ep 5
If you had to pick your Top 5 Premier League foreign imports, who would make your list? That’s the question Jeff puts to former Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Portsmouth favourite Paul Merson in this week’s episode.
Which one of his top 5 did Merse originally think was a waste of money? Who was so good that they looked like an adult playing against children? And which player on his list is he grateful to for getting him off the front pages of the newspapers?
Bergkamp, Ronaldo, Salah and De Bruyne are just some of the names that crop up, but do they make the final five?
If you haven’t already, check out our previous episode with Paul Merson where he discussed his greatest mavericks: • Paul Merson Remembers ...
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0:00 Intro
0:50 Podcast starts
2:50 Number 5
5:35 Number 4
10:03 Number 3
14:00 Number 2
18:55 Number 1
#premierleague #jeffstelling #paulmerson
Who would make up your Top 5? ⚽👑
1. Henry 2. Bergkamp 3. Salah 4. Drogba 5. Cantona
1. Bergkamp 2. Henry 3. KDB 4. Salah 5. Drogba
Bergkamp Schmeichel David Silva Salah De Bruyne
@@YewrMan no cr7 is fucking crazy
@johnnylee4820 I hear you Johnny. He played his best football after he left United though. Sure each to their own. There's no more foreign a player to the English League than Roy Keane. Would be on a lot of lists but probably they're not counting British or Irish players. I have Carvahlo, Vieira, Alonso, Fabregas, Aguero and others too further down. Defenders count too!
As an Arsenal fan I would put Bergakmp ahead of Henry.. not cos he was a better player.. but the impact Bergamp had on Arsenal..changed everything he impacted the culture (in terms of professionalism) and the playing style... Arsenal won titles with Wright, Anelka and with Henry...what is the common thread??... Bergkamp (also have to mention Viera)
I think it was Wenger who changed the culture at arsenal not a striker that refused to travel 😂 fgs! You arsenal never fail to surprise, probably the second most influential manager in prem history behind Ferguson and you give the credit to Bergkamp
@@dondamon4669Fans tend to support their teams, that's what fans do.
Only won Arsenal's player of the season award ONCE... 😰
@dondamon4669 I hate myself for even getting involved in this debate, it feels disrespectful to the two absolute LEGENDS. But I'd go as far as saying King Henry will forever Arsenal's best player, and no one will ever take away that title from him❤️🤍
Liverpool fan and I just have to say that's a great football comment I read in a long time
Bergkamp assist against juv in champs league for freddie still my fave every
Paul Merson talking is as entertaining as his playing career! Of Thierry Henry playing against Dietmar Hamann and Jamie Carragher "he twisted their blood up!" He's right to select Dennis Bergkamp as his number one player because Bergkamp not only scored exquisite goals but made the players around him much better. For example, Wright, Anelka, Henry, Ljungberg etc. Bergkamp was the conductor of Arsene Wenger's orchestra!!
I was a mascot for england against italy in 97 i used to spend alot of time watching chelsea train at harlington and gianfranco zola recognised me and came over and gave me a hug and a we had a little chat everyone was amazed such a nice guy hopefully i will bump into him again at some point
😊🤗🥲
Zola said that goal scored against Walker was the highlight of his career.
Merse is a wiki of football. Could listen to him talk about football for ages. Hope he keeps coming on.
What's a 'wiki'? If it's some kind of racist hate, football is not the place for it, you've picked the wrong crowd
@@dondamon4669 wiki is short for Wikipedia 😂😂
Love that phrase 😅 We love Merse ❤️
@@dondamon4669use google before you comment next time dude
@@HandsomeFlackoJodye Lmao 😂😂
Love this show gents! Please do more with Paul.Merson he is such a quality guest 🎉 and top bloke ⚽️
We love Merse
@@footballsgreatestpod 🫡💙
I agree with Merse's choices and the order. All incredible players, Bergkamp will always be my number 1.
Special talent 🇳🇱
You seriously think that zola was a better player than cantona? Seriously? What did zola actually do at chelsea? Fuck all compared to cantona. Cantona carried utd.
@@bigwengz914Seriously
@@bigwengz914Zola was a better player than Cantona, but as said he transformed Utd.
@patricksterling927 if zola was better than cantona then chelsea would have atleast won one PL and would have made at least one CL final. Cantona was far superior to zola.
I can listen to these 2 all-day ❤
Love listening to merse ,keep these coming Jeff .
Thierry is on record saying the same thing about Bergkamp, and he played with Messi so that should tell you everything about how good Bergkamp was
Phenomenal player 👏
Pundits argue Ronaldo doesn't make these lists because he only played in the prem 6 years in first spell, but he won absolutely everything and is the last Ballon 'dor winner from the prem. Cantona was immense, but he only played 5 years and didn't win the champions league, Zola never won the prem or champs either.
Zola won the Cup Winners Cup, which was a European trophy, and even though he joined in January he won (the sportswriters'?) footballer of the year in his first season.
As skillful and exciting a player as C Ronaldo was, he was a late bloomer in the premier league. Coming to the top of his game in the latter half of his initial 6 year term at Manchester United. His best years by far were at Real Madrid. So he's more a contender for best ever foreigner in La Liga than the Premier League.
Schmeichel changed goalkeeping, an absolute legend
Try Southall.!!!
Eric Cantona 126 G/A in 156 Premier League games That’s a G/A every 1.24 games. That’s the 7th highest ratio in Premier League history. And the 1st highest ratio of any Man Utd player in premier league history. He assisted just as much as he scored. Like Merse said, they were big goals too, big assists. Match winning contributions, Eric’s goals yielded 4 titles in 5 years. He was also the match winner in two FA Cup finals.
As a EVERTON FAN AND WITHOUT PREJUSTICE, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH PAULS TOP 2 CHOICES, Arsenal need to say thank you to Bruce Rioch for signing Berkamp
It was more david dein signed bergkamp for wenger. Rioch was brought in to steady the ship before Wenger came.
No way Bergkamp was more important or influential than Roy Keane
As an Arsenal fan I would go for Henry all day long over Berkamp. It was the way Henry scored the goals and a lot of people forget his assist record as a striker - 20 assists in the 2003 season and it took KDB to beat that
Merse was a god at fratton. He only had one foot but no one has played better on one leg. Absolute legend at Fratton and I thank him for the memories where he got us all believing
You can't argue with his list. Amazing players.
Who are you picking in 6th, Pilch? 🐼
Didier Drogba@@footballsgreatestpod
Bergkamp Henry Salah KDB Cantona
Zola better than all of them.
@@Al-ji4gdnope
@@yessi1585 Yep.
Kinkladze was class in the 90s
My fave city player
@@revoksfn7354 brilliant he was I’m an Arsenal fan and Bergkamp is my hero always will be Kinkladze was class the 90s premier league 👌👍🏻
I'd probably put Pat Viera ahead of Yaya Toure but great selection. I understand the Bergkamp v Henry point. It's hard to make a preference.
I’m glad Kdb is getting the recognition he deserves, I think he was more intelligent than Bergkamp what he does with the ball is unbelievable He should be number one with Henry
Bergkamp won first, second and third goal of the month award 😅
History 💯
Brilliant list by Paul. A few I’d have close to the top 5, Klinsman, Aguero and for the goals alone Yeboah 😃
What ?? You stop watching football 20 years ago
Good list,cesc is also up there and so is aguero
Begkamp for me too... (Simply the Best)
This is the 2nd best football pod around at the minute, behind Gary Neville’s. Great content and you’ve gotta love Merse!
Bergkamp is a worthy winner, so would Henry have been. Those two and De Bruyne are my own top 3, with Cantona (who won every league season he finished) just missing out. Mo Salah is probably fifth. There have been so many good imports though and it really makes you appreciate the quality of the league. :)
Va Va Boom, had so many keepers scared shitless, emphasis on boom. That was the keepers POV.
Andrei Kanchelskis is one of my favourites
Early : Cantona - Vieira - Keane - Bergkamp - Henry - Zola Mid : Ronaldo - Drogba Late : Aguero - David Silva - Hazard - De Bruyne - Salah - VVD - Haaland
Haaland? Did you start watching football last year?
@@MrDrezzy007 can’t u read
I am so relieved he chose bergkamp as no.1. I actually thought he was going to say Ronaldo as 1, but cristiano should’ve been in the top 5. Bergkamp is god.
People always say Ronaldo didn’t do enough in England to get picked in lists like these. Those last 3 years at United he did more than bergkamp did in his entire career
But he wasn’t a better player..that’s what the list is about mate
@@chrisr5095 Exactly
@@LS-mx1gebest goal scorer that’s ever lived…but ball at foot..not even in top 20..
what's your criteria for best player then. Ball at foot means every football freestyler is better than ronaldo@@chrisr5095
@@chrisr5095In his last years he was comfortably better than Bergkamp
David Silva honorable mention as well. Aguero just on the fringes as well.
Imagine the players from the 90s and 00s had the fitness and food science etc as the players today. Todays players are athletes first and footballers second. They all play the same now and have the same technique and hard to tell them apart,compared to the individuals we had before.
20:36 spot on
1.Best 2.Keane 3.Cantona 4.Irwin 5.Ronaldo But Best and Keane definitely the best
If he wasn't scared of flying and went to Madrid instead people would be talking about him as one of the goats
Bergkamp at Madrid would've been frightening 😰
@gerryrr93 He can get to Madrid without flying via Channel tunnel
Love Merson as a bloke and a player, but he's about as bright as a basement during a power cut. Agree with some choices too tbf.
dennis bergkamp was just different gravy 😘
Getting Merson to name the PL's top imports is akin to asking Jonathan Ross to pronounce all the words beginning with the letter R..."a weally wedundant exewcise."
What about an episode on footballs greatest gamblers and match fixers ?
Bergkamp was cool as ice but Kanu was doing mentally laid back stuff 👌 I think they learn from him… can’t believe being a Chelsea fan he didn’t put drogba in there
Zola. First game, left touchline, went pass the defender. Absolutely no idea how. The mid air flick from a corner. How?
One of a kind dribbler 🔵
Someone said Zola was the only player Sir Alex ever had man-marked. (In the Prem. He asked Park to man-mark Pirlo and Messi.)
Pegging Henry down for pace is like pegging down Bergkamp for ability. Also negating cr7 is mad
Cantona does have a pretty good record for France. 45 caps 20 goals.
Henry, Ronaldo, Salah, De Bryune and Cantona in no order for me
Cantona scored big goals in big games and often at big moments!
BIG
I saw zola lose his temper once it was on a golf course when someone in my four ball hit a drive from the tee on a 370 yard par four and he absolutely nailed it and it was bone dry and his drive literally ran over Zoila’s foot whilst he was on the putting green after the game the guy tried to apologise and zola just blanked him
Oh dear 😅
Hello Jeff
This the same guy that said KDB wasnt worth 51 million, now hes in the conversation of the best pl midfielder, for me he is
Henry would still have been a top player even with average pace. He could score all kinds of goals. Even with his back to goal he could find a way to score like the backheel against Charlton and the flick up volley against Man U
@JO-wk6ms You're strangely not the first person I've heard saying that when it's not true he couldn't score all types of goals he scored very few headers he wasn't strong at all in the air especially for a striker. Astronomical amount of midfielders and obviously defenders before, during & after him were better in the air, let alone strikers who are expected to be useful in the air. I mean he took corners when Arsenal had plenty of other players perfectly capable of taking corners who were shorter height as well which would've made more sense so that says it all.
Cantona - Bergkamp - Henry - Ronaldo - Salah
Suarez better than salah
90s - 05: Henry, Cantona, Bergkamp, Vieira, Schmeichel 2006-current: Salah, Ronaldo, Aguero, De Bruyne, David Silva
no hazard
@@chrishaddow5644 would be top 10 for me. If he was more consistent and possessed stronger mentality he would be even greater. IMO, David Silva's legacy was greater, but on his day Hazard was better.
Henry? 2 premier league wins from 8 seasons Bergkamp? 3 premier league wins from 11 seasons CANTONA - 4 premier league wins from 5 seasons, banned for 9 mths in the other season
It’s not who played for the most dominant team…
Agüero David Silva Ronaldo Pires Salah Yaya Xabi Hazard Fernandinho Viera Yorke Robben ljungberg also ❤ god there's so many missing still
KDB is not the 5th best import , he has to be above that , I’m talking top 2. He’s won it all , he’s been the main man at city for years , he’s had multiple serious injuries and still achieved what he has. Scary to think what more he could of done without the injuries.
Still got time to prove it. Praying he avoids anymore big injuries for a while 👏
Nope. Not top 5, none of the citeh players make a top 5 regarding top imports
Zola ,molby,anelka,karembou,uboah,saurez,roy keane
1) Bergkamp 2) Henry 3) Cantona First three are interchangeable Huge influences on the Premier League 4) Aguero Turned City into a title winning machine 5) Zola A pure icon of the Premier League. I'd argue extremely underrated
Concur 👍
Cantona not top 5
Cantona!!! Legend and the king 🤴
A 90's football icon... No doubt about it ⚽️👑
Good list by Merse and can't really argue with it.....other than if Arsenal get drawn in Greece and then it's Sanogo! 😂 24:10
I prefer this to Neville’s because I don’t like listening to people talk while eating, my kids no that’s bad manners. Lineker and shearer with Richard’s is the best pod.
Gone off that one, it insists upon itself, & has become too repetitive. Jeff's is the best followed by Gary's.
1. HENRY 2. BERGKAMP 3. VIERA 4. CANTONA 5. RONALDO
Arsenal fan here, its hard to choose between Henry and Bergkamp but id have to give it to Henry. Never saw anything like that and havent since. On a side note, you cant put a top 5 PL imports together without inlcuding CR7.
The fact David Silva isn’t on this list makes the video invalid.
Thought it was all about the big game goals, pretty sure Henry went missing in their biggest games?? No doubting he was and is a legend but come on Merse
😂😂😂 You don't know what you're talking about at all
1. Bergkamp changed the way Arsenal played. 2. Vieira made Arsenal winners. 3. Henry was the better player. 4. Sanchez, Auba and RVP carried Arsenal when they struggled.
Ian Wright doesn't count.
Bergkamp is the best and is responsible for Wrighty and TT being the goalscorers they were!
it was against Nikos Dabizas ffs 😂 I didn’t think he meant it anyway
Drogba deserves a mention! Great podcast though. Keep up the good work on sobriety Merse.
That kung fu kick was done to kick out racism
Minus all these great imports, let's not forget Paul Merse have all the flair and brains on the pitch. Scorer of spectacular goals, never a dull moment seeing him play! And he and the gang drank beers before games in those days. Romantic.
Suarez, nailed on for me.
What? He done nothing and he was desperate to leave Liverpool
De Bruyne is number 2 after Henry period
What are you ten
100 % Bergkamp
24:50
Billy LOL
Ronaldo not even top 5 ? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 prime Ronaldo in the Premier league is the best to ever do it
What about David Ginola.
Hazard!
Elite ball knowledge from merse , I’d have yaya over kdb tho
So what are his top 5 ?
Hazard deserves a mention.
Bergkamp is the right choice
Enjoy Merse but come on two Arsenal players top 2! And put zola above Cantona who won 4 out of 5 leagues with Utd ( one he didn’t was banned) and also the league with Leeds before joining Utd! Cantona no 1
Wouldn't count them goals..er goal difference maybe a factor. The donut
Schmeichel
No Salah, Suarez, bit of a European bias here for Merse with his selections. Surely you would take Salah over Zola?
Cantona is the best foreign player, 5 leagues in 6 seasons and always scored them big Goals and was a massive impact on the whole team
Bergkamp over Henry all day. Less arrogant too
Ya yah Toure destroyed teams, yet never gets credit.
Henry Bergkamp KDB Viera Cantona
What about Steven gerrard
Don't know why Merson gets so much stick as he was a great player and talks good about football
Drogba is surely in this list Yes I'm a Chelsea fan
He own scored 10 goal a season on average in premier League. What make him specials was the goal in finals and semi finals. How ever I think you would struggle to put him in top 10 premier League strikers
Quite the omission isn't it...
Geoff should lay off the pies for a bit… button about to blind merse
Rooney instead of De Bruyne in my opinion. Rooney was phenomenal for many years and adjusted his game for longevity. De Bruyne will go down in history as a legendary player of the Premier League Era, but Rooney was something special during his time.
It's foreign players, you're probably going to get a grilling for that on here
@@caseyquirke9903😅
Yeah that great foreign import Rooney...
What are you talking about?
Paul Gascoigne
Paul Merson is a great bloke but I think his choice was clouded by his Arsenal career. No way could you leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of the top 5 Premier League foreign imports.
Keane, Vieira, Henry, Ronaldo and Suarez.