• 12 Dec, 2024

Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and the Premier League stars destined for the Hall of Fame

Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and the Premier League stars destined for the Hall of Fame

GOAL runs through the star names that are already certain to be inducted and those that still have work to do before they retire


Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): Liverpool's homegrown hero is blessed with such a wonderful range of passing that Gary Neville famously stated that it's "like having Kevin De Bruyne or David Beckham at right-back". Hardly surprising, then, that no defender in Premier League history has racked up more assists than Alexander-Arnold - even though he's still only 25.

The England international has also won every major trophy at club level, but he remains a polarising player, with some believing that he'd be better deployed in midfield given ongoing concerns over his defensive capabilities. Indeed, it very much remains to be seen where Alexander-Arnold ends up playing for what should be the best years of his career.

Verdict: Needs more time ⏱️

Alisson Becker (Liverpool): One of the most important signings in Liverpool's history, the brilliant ball-playing Brazilian with the sensational shot-stopping skills helped the Reds end their 30-year wait for an English title, is a two-time Premier League Golden Glove winner (his haul of 21 clean sheets in 2018-19 is second only to Petr Cech's 24 in 2004-05) and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2021-22.

His Liverpool legacy is already secured - his crucial winner against West Brom in 2021 made him the first goalkeeper ever to score for the club - but Alisson probably needs another winners' medal triumph to remove all doubts over his legendary status, and he might just get one at the end of the current campaign...

Verdict: Almost there 👏

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): The Belgian magician may have disappointed during his first spell in the Premier League, but his second stint has been spectacular. Indeed, despite injury issues, the Chelsea flop has been one of the driving forces behind Manchester City's era of unprecedented domination.

De Bruyne is a five-time title winner who occupies third spot in the Premier League's all-time assists rankings, with 107, as there is no pass he can't play, while he's also got 65 goals to his name. Quite simply, one of the finest attacking talents the English top flight has ever seen.

Verdict: Hall of Fame guaranteed 👑

Ruben Dias (Manchester City): Plenty of players take time to find their feet at Manchester City, given the complexity of Pep Guardiola's system, but Dias made an immediate impact at the Etihad Stadium after joining from Benfica in the summer of 2020, walking away with the Premier League Player of the Season award at the end of his first year in England.

The Portuguese has now won three consecutive titles and twice been named in the PFA Team of the Year, but it's worth noting that his position in the heart of the City defence is not quite as secure as it once was. As a result, there's an outside chance he could end up being remembered a bit like compatriot Ricardo Carvalho, as a great Premier League player, but not a hall-of-famer.

Verdict: Almost there 👏

Ederson (Manchester City): Just like his fellow Brazilian Alisson, Manchester City's undisputed No.1 has been integral to his club's Premier League success as much for his ability with the ball at his feet as his sensational saves.

Ederson has won five Premier League titles and claimed the Golden Glove award on three occasions - only Cech and Joe Hart have managed more (four apiece). Of course, some would argue that the 30-year-old often has very little to do, and is worryingly prone to conceding the first shot on target he faces in games, but he repeatedly came up big when called upon during City's treble-winning campaign.

Verdict: Almost there 👏

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): Manchester United have had more downs than ups over the past few years, so one dreads to think how bad things would have got at Old Trafford had they not signed Fernandes from Sporting CP in January 2020.

The Portuguese playmaker hit the ground running in England and scored 28 times during a 2020-21 campaign that ended with him being named in the PFA Team of the Year. However, he's not made one since, has never got close to winning a Premier League title, his returns are diminishing in recent months and his captaincy credentials are regularly questioned.