Ian Wright, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are the newest inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame following an online fan vote and awards panel decision.
Alongside this year’s earlier inductees Patrick Vieira and Wayne Rooney, Vincent Kompany, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer gathered at a London event for the first Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Paul Scholes, Schmeichel, Drogba and Aguero sent video messages as they were unable to attend.
Ian Wright
“I have received so many messages from fans which is incredibly touching,” said Wright. “It’s the stuff dreams are made of to be amongst this group of elite players.
The Arsenal legend who signed his first professional contract at 21 netted 153 goals for the Gunners, a tally that remained the club’s all-time scoring record for eight years until it was surpassed by Thierry Henry.
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Wright added: “I want to dedicate my induction to Steve Coppell who first took a chance on me, to take me off the building site and give me my chance at being a professional footballer.”
Wayne Rooney
Rooney is Manchester United and England’s all-time record goal-scorer with 253 and 53 goals respectively.
At the event the Derby manager said: “If I had the chance to have played with any of the Hall of Fame inductees, it would have to be Thierry Henry because of the player he was and his ability to score and create goals.
“Current Premier League players who I think can be future inductees, I’d have to go for Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah and Harry Kane.”
Vincent Kompany
“This moment is difficult to describe but I am incredibly honoured,” said Kompany. “I am probably the most injured Hall of Famer though. I may have depended on my team-mates at times but I also tried to make others better.”
The former Manchester City captain during his 360 appearances led the club to four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League cups.
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Alan Shearer
The Premier League all-time top-scorer with 260 goals was the first to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Henry in 2021.
“I just love football, I would play in a Sunday League if I wasn’t professional, so to be on a list among so many great players who have graced the Premier League and achieved so much is a great honour,” said Shearer.
Patrick Vieira
The Arsenal Invincibles captain, when asked which Hall of Fame inductee he would love to have played with, chose Paul Scholes.
“He’s one of the best to ever play in the Premier League,” Vieira said.
Vieira joined Roy Keane in the Hall of Fame, a moment for fans to relive their fierce battles on the pitch as Arsenal and Manchester United battled for titles.
He also said: “The current players that I can see making it into the Hall of Fame would be Kevin De Bruyne for sure. I hope that Wilfried Zaha will make it one day, and Sadio Mane.”
Who was inducted in 2021?
- Alan Shearer (Southampton, Blackburn, Newcastle)
- Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
- Eric Cantona (Leeds United, Manchester United)
- Roy Keane (Nottingham Forest, Manchester United)
- David Beckham (Manchester United)
- Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal)
- Frank Lampard (West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City)
- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
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