THE Premier League has released a shortlist of 15 players who are eligible for induction into its Hall of Fame in 2023.
The list is headed by Manchester United centre-back pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Chelsea’s John Terry, Liverpool great Michael Owen and former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Others include former Arsenal captain Tony Adams, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermaine Defoe.
Sol Campbell, who starred for both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, ex-Spurs striker Les Ferdinand, former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Andrew Cole, former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler are also included.
Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, who starred for Manchester City, is the only African in the shortlist.
The Premier League says fans from around the world can vote for the three players who will take their place in the Hall of Fame, alongside the 16 previous inductees and Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, who became the first managers to be inducted this week.
Voting will be done on the Premier League website until April 10, with the three inductees to be announced on Wednesday May 3.
Before being shortlisted, the Premier League considered the players’ achievements, including individual and team honours, and a player’s total Premier League appearances, goals, assists and clean sheets.
“To be eligible for this year’s Premier League Hall of Fame, players must have been retired by 1 January 2023, and only a player’s Premier League career is considered in their candidacy, not their performances in other competitions during the Premier League era,” the league explained.
Each inductee will receive a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction, and a £10,000 donation will be made by the Premier League to a charity of the player’s choice.
The Hall of Fame was launched in 2021, with inaugural inductees David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard and Alan Shearer.
Last year, Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were inducted.
THE 15 SHORTLISTED PLAYERS
Tony Adams , Ashley Cole, Gary Neville,
Sol Campbell , Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen, Michael Carrick, Les Ferdinand, John Terry, Petr Cech, Rio Ferdinand, Yaya Toure, Andrew Cole, Robbie Fowler, Nemanja Vidic.
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