Ryan Giggs helped Manchester United reclaim the Premier League trophy. Having won 10 title medals in his illustrious career, should he also get the accolade as the best player the Premier League has ever seen?
It was the 29th November 1987, when Alex Ferguson made one of the best signings of his managerial career. Ferguson signed a 14 year old boy onto the Manchester United’s books. On the 9th July 1990, Ryan Giggs was given a Manchester United contract – almost 18 years ago.
Ryan Giggs made his first team début for Manchester United against Everton, on the 2nd March 1991. That was 758 games ago, now Ryan Giggs has equalled Bobby Charlton’s appearance record for the club and may well surpass it when Manchester United face Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow next week.
The Greatest
When people think about the best player to grace the Premier League, a few names always crop up; Cantona, Henry, Zola, Bergkamp, Shearer, Cech, Adams and there are others, but few can dispute that Giggs is amongst the list.
Honours
Looking at his unrivalled war chest of honours (right hand side), nobody comes close to the Welsh Wizard, but its not just his medals that make Giggs the best the Premier League has seen…..
Talent
Giggs started his career as a left winger. His pace, control, balance and skill frightened full backs all over the world. It drew comparisons with another footballing legend, George Best and he was awarded the U-21 European Footballer of the Year.
Aged 17 he became the youngest player to represent Wales internationally. He went on to gain 64 caps before retiring from international football in 2007.
Consistency
Giggs has maintained his form throughout his career at Manchester United, at the top level of football, never making fewer than 30 appearances in a season. A formidable record considering the competition for places and the standard of the game he has played.
Loyalty
In an age where moving clubs every few years is so commonplace, it’s rare to see a player stay at a club as long as Giggs has. He could have earned millions in transfer fee’s over the years, instead he focused on his football.
Off the Field
Giggs is a great role model for children. He now refrains from over publicising himself, something he was perhaps guilty of when he first came on the scene. Even his football boot sponsor has been consistent, Giggs has been with Reebok for several years now and currently wears the Reebok SprintFit football boots.
Versatility
Of late Giggs has demonstrated that he is not a one trick pony. As the years have crept up on him, he has had to adapt his game as he has lost a little of his pace.
Giggs started out as a pacey winger, before adapting to play as a central striker and more recently he has been used as a central midfielder.
Ryan Giggs
Few can contest the ability of Ryan Giggs, he’s performed at the very top level for almost two decades and his attitude has been exemplary. Look at the all round player and person Ryan Giggs is, he’s the greatest the Premier League has ever seen.758
great player