GOAL runs through the star names that are already certain to be inducted and those that still have work to do before they retire
On Monday, legendary Chelsea captain John Terry and star Manchester United striker Andy Cole became the latest players to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. The pair join legends such as Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba in receiving "the highest honour awarded to individuals" by the league.
Obviously, a player has to be retired to be eligible, but the selections of Terry and Cole got us at GOAL thinking, which current players will walk into the Hall of Fame as soon as they hang up their boots? Here, we've only considered players presently playing in the Premier League – so Harry Kane, for example, doesn't feature even though the Bayern Munich striker is certain to make the cut – but there are plenty of other contenders.
So, who's guaranteed to get the nod, who is nearly there, who still has a bit of work to do, and who has no chance?! GOAL runs though the leading candidates below – and remember, it's not all about winners' medals!
GettyTrent 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 right-back 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 ⏱️
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAlisson 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.
Verdict: Almost there 👏
Getty ImagesKevin 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 108, as there is no pass he can't play, while he's also got 67 goals to his name. Quite simply, one of the finest attacking talents the English top flight has ever seen.
Verdict: Hall of Fame guaranteed 👑
GettyRuben 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 👏