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We voted the 5 most technically gifted EPL players of the 90s. These players have shown that while playing in the toughest league in the world, they can combine aggresiveness with grace and skills.

1. Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal)

Poised, superb first touch and excellent awareness, Dennis Bergkamp is a class of its own. He played most of his best games as a support striker, where his tactical awareness and deft passes made him an exponent of the game from the ‘hole’.

Bergkamp hit his best form for Arsenal after the arrival of Arsene Wenger in1996. Arsenal won a Premiership and FA Cup double in 1997-1998 season which he was voted PFA Player of the Year. In 1997, he became the first and so far the only player to come first, second and third in Match of the Day’s “Goal of the Month” competition, for a hat trick against Leicester City. In the World Cup 1998, he scored one of the greatest goals of all time in the quarter final win against Argentina.

2. Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea)

The diminutive Italian had a reputation of scoring a series of memorable goals. Great in taking free kicks, Zola was a key player in Chelsea’s resurgence in the 1996-1997 season, helping them win the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, having scored four goals en route to the final, including  a ‘twisted blood’ effort in the semi final against Wimbeldon, backheeling the ball and turning 180 degrees before slotting the ball into the net. At the end of the season, he was voted FWA Player of the Year, the first Chelsea player to win it.

3. Matthew Le Tissier (Southampton)

A Southampton hero, Le Tissier has a knack of scoring from long range. Some of his goal came from almost impossible angle and even the entire ‘Goal of the Season’ competitions could be composed of his strikes. (It is said that he ‘regularly’ score from corner kicks during practice). Retired at the end of 2002 season, Saints fans will never forget how, almost single-handedly at times, he kept Saints in the Premiership.

4. Paul Gascoigne (Tottenham Hotspur)

One of England most natural footballer, Gazza trademark was his tricks, mazy run, enthusiasm and endearing personality. Clearly talented, Gazza emerged as an exceptional young midfield player with the rare ability to beat opponents and score superb individual goals. Had a stocky, powerful build that allowed him to hold off defenders and weather challenges. His range of passing and reading of the game was in evidence during Italia 90, when he found Gary Lineker with a perfectly-weighted through ball that lead to a crucial goal against Cameroon in the quarterfinal. He was named in the All Star team for his performance.

5. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)

It is without question that Ryan Giggs will be ranked alongside the best player ever to grace the game of football. A model professional, his ability to consistently dribble past opposing players by using his own exceptional balance, pace and skill to beat players he ran at became the most noticeable aspect of his game.

Holds many records such as team trophies won by a player, top all time scorer in the Premiership not to play regularly in the striker’s position, scoring Man Utd’s fastest goal, the only player to have scored in every Premiership campaign and the first player in Champions League history to score in 12 successive seasons.

His goals were constantly on shortlists for Goal of the Seasons, but the most remarkable of all, is the amazing solo-goal against Arsenal in the 1999 Fa Cup replay, where  he ran away from the half-way line, dribbling past the whole Arsenal backline before launching a left footed drive beyond David Seaman. It has been hailed as one of the best goals ever scored in the competition.

Why don’t you tell us your choice of EPL Most Technically Gifted Players of the 90s.

The Top 5 Most Technically Gifted EPL Players

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