7 Lucas Neill
Position Right-back, Centre-back
Clubs Blackburn, West Ham, Everton

In an EPL career spanning almost ten years and three clubs, you might expect Lucas to be held higher in esteem on this list. But while Neill was a useful servant at each club, staying within the league’s mid- to lower table dwellers meant full blown glory was never likely.

Signed by Blackburn in 2001, the Socceroo captain enjoyed six solid years at Rovers before a major crossroads in his Premier League career – should be join heavyweights Liverpool or relegation-threatened West Ham? He chose the newly cashed-up Hammers and was a vital part of their survival. He was later made club captain in east London, before ending his Premier League career at Everton after making a move on a free transfer. Whether it was money or first-team football that appealed, that Liverpool snub is his eternal EPL “What if?”.

6 Brett Emerton
Position Right midfield, Central midfield
Club Blackburn

Emerton could have joined the Premier League at the age of 16 after he had trialled at Leeds United with future Socceroos team-mate Harry Kewell, but despite arriving late, his longevity places him high on the list.

After three seasons at Feyernoord in the Dutch Eredivisie, Emmo joined Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League in July 2003, scoring on his EPL debut in a 5-1 drubbing of Wolves. His debut season ended with 40 appearances and two goals under his belt, despite not progressing in the UEFA Cup and barely escaping relegation.

Since then Emerton has gone on to make over 250 appearances in his seven years at Blackburn. And he is not done yet.

5 Mark Viduka
Position Striker
Clubs Leeds, Middlesbrough, Newcastle

Viduka often divided opinion during his Premier League career, but history will be kind to Dukes after a very healthy haul of just short of 100 goals in the league.

It was at his first Premier League club Leeds where Dukes really exploded onto the scene, including four goals against Liverpool in a single game, as the Aussie marksman regularly netted over 20 goals a season.

In the wake of Leeds’ financial meltdown and eventual relegation, Dukes stayed in the North with Middlesbrough. His career at Boro started slowly, mainly due to injury problems, but when up-and-running he resumed his strong goal per games ratio at the start of the 2005 season. His final Premier League foray was at  Newcastle, where injuries again curtailed his impact as the Toon were relegated.

Dukes was made for Premier League success – strong, great with his feet and free-scoring. The burly front man relished the physical nature of the league and excelled in tough duels with aggressive centre-backs.

4 Harry Kewell
Position Left winger, Striker
Clubs Leeds, Liverpool

Many will be surprised to see Harry outside of our top three as when he burst onto the scene with Leeds in the late ’90s, the electric left winger was one of the most exciting young players in world football. A failure to fulfil that huge potential and more time on the physio’s bench than the pitch has seen his standing slip.

Kewell made his debut for Leeds as a 17-year-old and in 2000 won the PFA Young Player of the Year award with transfer offers coming in from all over Europe to join the heavyweights of the continent. During this time Harry’s technical skills and general ability changed the perception of the Australian footballer in the Premier League and Europe.

The winger probably stayed at the sinking ship that was Leeds too long, before sealing
a dream move for himself to Liverpool on a free transfer, despite the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and AC Milan all showing interest.

A general perception of his time at Liverpool is that it was a failure but that’s not true. Kewell started well and notched 11 goals in 49 appearances.

A seemingly endless unlucky run of injuries halted his Reds’ career for the next five years, before leaving for Turkey in 2008. A limp hobble out of the league maybe, but never forget Kewell was one of the competition’s greatest stars at his peak.

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