Ronaldo, Hazard Among 6 Best Premier League Wingers of All Time Ranked

• Wide players are now expected to contribute more goals each season
• This indicates a change in the role of wingers in contemporary football
• Here are the wingers who have left their mark on the Premier League

Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, the role of a winger has undergone significant transformation.

Initially, wingers were tasked with adhering to the touchline in the traditional 4-4-2 formation, delivering precise crosses for towering center-forwards.

In contemporary football, wide players function more as unorthodox strikers, with the top performers expected to net at least 15 goals per season. Determining the Premier League's greatest-ever winger is a challenging endeavour due to these role changes.

Sports Brief has managed to compile a ranking of the top six wingers who have left their mark on the division throughout the years.

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Best Premier League wingers of all time

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Cristiano Ronaldo claims the number one position. He revolutionized the winger role at Manchester United, showcasing an exceptional goal-scoring ability and clinching the Ballon d'Or in 2008, making him the last player from an English team to achieve this honour.

Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or-winning season in 2007/08 stands as one of the Premier League's finest individual campaigns, marked by an astonishing tally of 39 goals and eight assists, along with securing both the Premier League and Champions League titles. While he doesn't top this list, it's solely because his prime years were spent at Real Madrid

2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Chelsea)

Mohamed Salah stands as the lone active player on this list, yet he has already cemented his place as one of the Premier League's finest wingers of all time.

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He holds the record as Liverpool's top scorer in the competition and is destined to be remembered as one of the club's greatest players, perhaps even the greatest.

Despite a challenging stint at Chelsea, Salah has consistently delivered at Anfield, netting at least 19 league goals each season and contributing significantly to Liverpool's most prosperous era in recent memory.

3. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)

Ryan Giggs was a trophy magnet at Manchester United, securing an impressive tally of 13 Premier League titles along with a remarkable 632 appearances and 109 goals.

A vital component of Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning team in 1999, the Welshman maintained his stronghold on the position until his retirement from playing in 2014.

Given his enduring career and extensive trophy haul, it's indisputable that he ranks among the greatest wingers to have graced English football.

4. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Eden Hazard undoubtedly stands out as one of the premier wide players of the modern era, making the English top flight his playground during his illustrious tenure at Chelsea.

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With two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Europa League triumphs under his belt, Hazard's trophy cabinet speaks volumes about his talent and impact.

Pundits and fans alike often struggle to find sufficient superlatives to capture the brilliance of this beloved winger.

5. David Beckham (Manchester United)

Beckham was a master at scoring free kicks, effortlessly delivering extraordinary passes to set up countless goals for his teammates, and played a pivotal role in his team's success, securing six league titles among other trophies.

Throughout his years at Manchester United, he consistently displayed excellence on the field.

His unforgettable halfway-line goal against Wimbledon perfectly encapsulates his essence: audacity, fearlessness, and immense talent. Beckham undoubtedly stands as a true icon of English football.

6. Robert Pires (Arsenal)

Robert Pires, though operating in a slightly more traditional winger role within a 4-4-2 formation, had a knack for contributing crucial goals.

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Renowned as one of the Premier League's finest dribblers, he possessed a unique style that set him apart.

Pires played a pivotal role in the iconic Invincibles season, notably scoring 14 league goals and providing nine assists as Arsenal lifted the coveted trophy.

This triumph marked one of the highlights of his six-year tenure at Highbury.