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Strike it rich

Premier League all-time XI: Whether Thierry Henry or Didier Drogba, vote for your fave striker of the last 25 years

To celebrate the 25th season of the Prem era, SunSport is asking you to vote for the best team ever... Next up, strikers

FOR many, the formation of the Premier League will feel like just a few years ago, for the younger generations, it's all they've ever known.

Whichever bracket you fall under, the Prem is celebrating its 25th birthday in the 2016-17 season.

Manchester United won the Premier League in 2002-03 thanks to Van Nistelrooy and Co
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Man United won the Premier League in 2002-03 thanks to Van Nistelrooy and CoCredit: PA Archive

From Blackburn Rovers as champions to, well, Leicester City as champions with the 'Big Four' era of domination in the middle, it's been action-packed from 1992 to present day.

To celebrate the milestone, SunSport is combining an all-time, Premier League best XI - asking you to cast the final vote.

Every day, we will be bringing you a new position and asking you to pick your favourite in a series of polls.

Does Ian Wright or Dennis Bergkamp get your vote as best Premier League forward?
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Does Ian Wright or Dennis Bergkamp get your vote as best Premier League forward?Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

At the end of it all, we'll bring you the results; the definitive SunSport Premier League XI from 1992 to 2016.

Today, we'll bring you our list of central midfielders... Let's check out the contenders, there are 18 this time and we will only be picking the top two, so choose wisely.

LES FERDINAND

Les Ferdinand netted well over 100 Premier League goals in his career
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Les Ferdinand netted well over 100 Premier League goals in his careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): QPR, Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester, Bolton

Appearances: 351

Goals: 149

Premier League titles: 0

THREE goal-heavy seasons in the Premier League with QPR saw England man Ferdinand cop a move to Newcastle, where he netted 41 goals in two seasons before joining Tottenham.

149 strikes in 351 games in the top flight show just what a lethal marksman Ferdinand was.

IAN WRIGHT

Ian Wright's spell at Arsenal bore plenty of fruit for the England man
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Ian Wright's spell at Arsenal bore plenty of fruit for the England manCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Arsenal, West Ham

Appearances: 213

Goals: 113

Premier League titles: 1

WHILE Wright spent a lot of time banging in the goals in the non-Premier League era, the ex-Arsenal man was prolific during his time at Arsenal.

The ex-England man found the net 113 times in the league between 1992 and 2000, after six seasons at the Gunners - including one league title - and two terms at West Ham.

ERIC CANTONA

Eric Cantona was one of the most exciting footballer of the 90s
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Eric Cantona was one of the most exciting footballer of the 90sCredit: EMPICS Sport

Club(s): Leeds, Manchester United

Appearances: 156

Goals: 70

Premier League titles: 4

FIVE seasons at Man United and a phenomenal four Premier League titles, Cantona has gone down as one of the all-time greats.

While a controversial figure, the Frenchman's skill was of the highest class, with 70 goals from 156 appearances for United - as well as half a season with Leeds.

TEDDY SHERINGHAM

Teddy Sheringham was the complete forward during his illustrious career
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Teddy Sheringham was the complete forward during his illustrious careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Manchester United, Portsmouth, West Ham

Appearances: 418

Goals: 146

Premier League titles: 3

THE seemingly evergreen Sheringham turned out for no fewer than five different Premier League clubs, including two stints at Tottenham and three titles in four seasons at Man United.

While not a prolific goal-getter, Teddy was the perfect strike partner, even chipping in with 146 goals in 418 games - and one Golden Boot, in 1992-93.

ALAN SHEARER

Alan Shearer is still the Premier League's all-time leading scorer with 260 goals
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Alan Shearer is still the Premier League's all-time leading scorer with 260 goalsCredit: Getty Images

Club(s): Blackburn, Newcastle

Appearances: 441

Goals: 260

Premier League titles: 1

THERE'S little more to say about the Premier League's all-time leading scorer that hasn't already been said.

260 goals, one Premier League title and a Player of the Season gong, to boot... Not too shabby for the former Blackburn and Newcastle man.

ROBBIE FOWLER

Robbie Fowler was as natural a finisher as anyone in his prime
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Robbie Fowler was as natural a finisher as anyone in his primeCredit: PA:Press Association

Club(s): Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester City

Appearances: 379

Goals: 163

Premier League titles: 0

UNFORTUNATE to not be capped more by England - thanks mainly to the Shearer-Sheringham partnership of the mid-90s.

One of the game's most natural finishers, Fowler netted 163 times for Liverpool, Leeds and Man City, with a goalless stint at Blackburn to finish off his career in 2008-09.

ANDY COLE

Andy Cole was prolific at not only Man United, but also Newcastle
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Andy Cole was prolific at not only Man United, but also NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association

Club(s): Newcastle, Manchester United, Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Sunderland

Appearances: 414

Goals: 187

Premier League titles: 5

34 GOALS in his opening season in the Premier League for Newcastle instantly attracted the attention of Man United - where Cole spent seven-and-a-half seasons, winning the league an incredible five times.

From there he turned out for a whopping five clubs in eight seasons as he ended his career on 187 goals from 414 games, including the Golden Boot for his 1993-94 heroics.

DWIGHT YORKE

Dwight Yorke combined with Andy Cole to become one of the most feared pairings around
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Dwight Yorke joined Andy Cole to become one of the most feared pairings aroundCredit: Getty Images

Club(s): Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn, Birmingham, Sunderland

Appearances: 375

Goals: 123

Premier League titles: 3

ON to Cole's partner in crime at United, Yorke, who got his hands on three titles and even a Player of the Season award in 1999 at Man United.

Following a goal-filled spell at Aston Villa, Yorke thrived at United, before turning out for Blackburn, Birmingham and Sunderland, as he netted 123 times in the Premier League.

DENNIS BERGKAMP

Dennis Bergkamp was one of the most easy-on-the-eye footballers ever to play
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Dennis Bergkamp was one of the most easy-on-the-eye footballers ever to playCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Arsenal

Appearances: 315

Goals: 87

Premier League titles: 3

HE may have not quite joined the 100-goal club, but Bergkamp will always go down as one of the all-time great all-around strikers.

11 seasons at Arsenal bore three Premier League titles, 87 goals, 93 assists and one great legacy.

JIMMY-FLOYD HASSELBAINK

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink got his hands on two Golden Boot gongs
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Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink got his hands on two Golden Boot gongsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Leeds, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Charlton

Appearances: 288

Goals: 127

Premier League titles: 0

THE Dutch forward is one of a very select bunch to get his hands on the Golden Boot more than once, doing it on two separate occasions in 1999 and 2001.

During his spells at Leeds, Chelsea, Boro and Charlton, Hasselbaink netted 127 times in 288 appearances.

MICHAEL OWEN

Michael Owen was explosive at Liverpool but won his only league title at Man United
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Michael Owen was explosive at Liverpool but won his only league title at Man UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United, Stoke

Appearances: 326

Goals: 150

Premier League titles: 1

ANOTHER star to grab the Golden Boot twice, Owen bagged both during his prolific Liverpool days where he spent eight seasons.

He won the Player of the Season award in 2008 as well as bagging a deserved Premier League title with Man United in 2011.

THIERRY HENRY

Thierry Henry has gone down as one the all-time Premier League legends
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Thierry Henry has gone down as one the all-time Premier League legendsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Arsenal

Appearances: 258

Goals: 175

Premier League titles: 2

NINE seasons at Arsenal across two spells saw Henry go down as one of Arsenal's all-time legends.

His phenomenal record of 175 goals in 258 games, including winning the Premier League title twice, Player of the Season twice and the Golden Boot FOUR(s)times. Incredible.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed a goal-laden stint in the Premier League
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Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed a goal-laden stint in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

Club(s): Manchester United

Appearances: 150

Goals: 95

Premier League titles: 1

DUTCH ace Van Nistelrooy spent five seasons at Man United, netted at a phenomenal rate of 95 goals in 150 games.

He got his hands on the Golden Boot, Player of the Season award and Premier League title all in an outrageously successful 2002-03 season.

DIDIER DROGBA

Didier Drogba has gone down as one of Chelseas best players of all time
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Didier Drogba has gone down as one of Chelsea's best players of all timeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Club(s): Chelsea

Appearances: 254

Goals: 104

Premier League titles: 4

IVORIAN forward Drogba enjoyed a stunning career at Chelsea, across nine seasons and two spells.

The Stamford Bridge legend won the Premier League four times, winning the Golden Boot Twice as he scored 104 times in 254 games at the Blues.

FERNANDO TORRES

Fernando Torres failed to replicate his Liverpool success at Chelsea
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Fernando Torres failed to replicate his Liverpool success at ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association

Club(s): Liverpool, Chelsea

Appearances: 212

Goals: 85

Premier League titles: 0

UNFORTUNATELY for the Spaniard his career has been blighted by injuries resulting in a severe dip in form.

But during his Liverpool days El Nino was utterly unstoppable before Chelsea's splashed £50million to bring him to west London, where he went on to bag a total of 85 goals all in all.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE

Robin van Persie netted over 100 goals for Arsenal and Manchester United
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Robin van Persie netted over 100 goals for Arsenal and Manchester UnitedCredit: Action Images

Club(s): Arsenal, Manchester United

Appearances: 280

Goals: 144

Premier League titles: 1

VAN PERSIE stunned the Premier League when he swapped Arsenal for Manchester United in his quest for a league title.

The Dutch ace did so in his first season at Old Trafford, to add to his tally of two Golden Boots, as he ended his Prem career with 144 goals from 280 games.

LUIS SUAREZ

Luis Suarezs Liverpool stint attracted the attention of European giants Barcelona
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Luis Suarez's Liverpool stint attracted the attention of European giants BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images

Club(s): Liverpool

Appearances: 110

Goals: 69

Premier League titles: 0

BROUGHT in as a replacement for the departing Torres, Suarez wasted no time getting underway at Liverpool.

In three-and-a-half years at Anfield he terrorised defences across the country, netting 69 times in just 110 games before moving to La Liga giants Barcelona.

SERGIO AGUERO

Sergio Aguero is still leading the line for Manchester City
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Sergio Aguero is still leading the line for Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images

Club(s): Manchester City

Appearances: 155

Goals: 107

Premier League titles: 2

INTO his sixth season at Man City, Aguero is still very much the main man at the Etihad Stadium - despite the money poured into transfers in recent years.

His incredible record of 107 goals in 155 games is only bettered by the fact he has won the league twice, as well as getting his hands on the Golden Boot.

...HONOURABLE MENTION

Nicolas Anelka narrowly missed out on SunSports top 18 Premier League forwards
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Nicolas Anelka narrowly missed out on SunSport's top 18 Premier League forwardsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

OF course, whittling the incredible striking talent of the past 25 years to just 18 stars was a near impossible feat.

Special mention must go to players such as Robbie Keane, Nicolas Anelka, Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey, who excelled during their days in the English top flight.

Vote for your favourite striker in our poll, below.

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