Premier League Draft – Picking our best all-time XIs and then arguing about it - The Athletic

Picking the XIs

Four writers drafted their all-time Premier League XIs, following simple rules: 60 seconds per pick, a snake order, and at least five players from before 2010. Each writer's approach and selections are detailed.

• Jacob Whitehead prioritized positions with fewer top-tier players, selecting Mohamed Salah first and building a balanced midfield.
• Jack Lang reacted to the draft, unexpectedly picking Alan Shearer, and thus constructing a 4-4-2 formation.
• Oliver Kay initially focused on the team's spine, but adjusted his strategy due to early picks, resulting in a Chelsea-heavy defense and a strong front three.
• Duncan Alexander aimed for a mix of physicality and flair, resulting in a unique team pairing Tony Adams and Nemanja Vidic.

How the draft unfolded

The article lists each pick in the draft order, revealing the selection strategies and choices of the writers.

So whose team is best?

The writers debated each team's strengths and weaknesses. They acknowledged the quality of the players, but also discussed potential issues like formation, balance, and compatibility between certain players.

• Lang criticized Alexander's team's potential lack of cohesion.
• Alexander praised Whitehead's balanced team.
• Whitehead highlighted the strength of Kay's midfield.
• Kay appreciated the balance of Whitehead's team, but expressed concern about the aging Chelsea defenders in his own team.

What we learned

The discussion expanded to reflect on English football's evolution, the impact of the Big Six clubs, and the difficulty of choosing a definitive all-time XI. They also discussed the role of statistics vs. intangible qualities and the different eras and playing styles throughout the Premier League's history.