Both Ian Wright and Alan Shearer are in agreement when it comes to naming Roy Keane as the best European player to ever grace the Premier League.
Republic of Ireland icon Keane came to English football from Irish side Cobh Ramblers in 1990, first joining Nottingham Forest and then moving on to Manchester United three years later.
He would soon become a vital cog in Sir Alex Ferguson’s United machine, eventually being named captain as he picked up seven Premier League titles prior to his departure in 2005.
The fearsome central midfielder came up against Arsenal legend Wright and Newcastle icon Shearer several times in his career, even notably going toe-to-toe with Shearer on more than one occasion.
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But the BBC Sport punditry pair have nothing but respect for the United great, and both placed him at No.1 in their list of the best European imports to the Premier League in the latest Match of the Day Top 10s podcast.
“For me he was the best captain in the Premier League,” said Wright.
“When you look at what he did with the ‘Class of 92’, the great players around him, the consistency of his performances, without compromising what he was about, and his morals, I have so much admiration for Roy Keane.
“I have never seen anyone who loves football and speaks about it as much as he does.”
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Wright placed Keane ahead of Arsenal great Thierry Henry in second and ex-Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo in third.
Shearer – who had Keane, Henry and Eric Cantona as his 1-2-3 – recalled how Keane almost joined him at Blackburn instead of moving to United.
“He was an incredible player,” he said.
“Kenny [Dalglish] thought he had him at Blackburn in the summer of 1993. A deal was almost done but he changed his mind and went to Manchester United.”
