The Athletic FC Podcast: Premier League Draft – Picking Our All-Time XIs

Release Date: April 27, 2025
Host: Duncan Alexander
Guests: Jacob Whitehead, Jack Lang, Oliver Kay, David Harbour

Introduction to the Premier League Draft

At [02:47], Duncan Alexander introduces an exciting twist to the upcoming NFL draft by conducting a Premier League-themed draft to assemble all-time greatest XI’s from England's top-flight football history. This segment aims to navigate through the vast pool of over 4,000 Premier League players to curate the most formidable teams.

Draft Rules and Structure

Duncan outlines the snake draft format, ensuring each participant has an equitable chance to pick players in a back-and-forth sequence ([03:26]). Key rules include:

• Player Exclusivity: No duplicate selections across teams.
• Era Division:
  • Classic Era (1992-2010): Minimum of five players.
  • Modern Era (2011-Present): Minimum of five players.
  • Wildcard Picks: One player of any preference.
• Formation Flexibility: Participants can choose any reasonable formation but are encouraged to maintain balance.

Player Selections and Strategic Picks

First Round:

• Jacob Whitehead kicks off the draft by selecting [05:02] Mohamed Salah for his exceptional right-wing prowess.
• Jack Lang counters with [05:21] Thierry Henry, valuing his legendary status and scoring ability.
• David Harbour opts for [05:50] Cristiano Ronaldo, acknowledging his contributions despite not being exclusively a Premier League standout.
• Duncan Alexander surprises everyone by choosing [06:03] Roy Keane as a central midfielder, aiming to anchor his team.

Subsequent Rounds:

• Jacob continues building with [07:08] Frank Lampard and [07:29] Virgil van Dijk, strengthening his midfield and defense.
• Jack enhances his squad with [07:05] Kevin De Bruyne and later adds [08:30] Alan Shearer, focusing on a balanced and high-scoring front line.
• David secures key defensive positions with [11:14] Paul Scholes and [11:25] Steven Gerrard, integrating midfield dynamism.
• Duncan selects [12:00] Andy Robertson and [12:41] Luis Suarez, aiming for a robust defense and a lethal attacking duo.

Notable Picks:

• Duncan Alexander’s selection of [12:19] Paul Ferreira and [14:15] Nemanja Vidic, highlighting his emphasis on defensive solidity.
• Jack Lang’s strategic move to pick [13:02] Eden Hazard and [16:13] Leighton Baines, ensuring creative and defensive strength.

Team Compositions

Jacob Whitehead's Team ([25:00]):

• Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
• Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Virgil van Dijk, Vincent Kompany, Leighton Baines
• Midfielders: Rodri, Frank Lampard, David Silva
• Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney

Jack Lang's Team ([29:07]):

• Goalkeeper: Alisson
• Defenders: Kyle Walker, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Dennis Irwin
• Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Eden Hazard
• Forwards: Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry

David Harbour's Team ([31:15]):

• Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
• Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ricardo Cavalho, John Terry, Ashley Cole
• Midfielders: Vieira, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes
• Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Harry Kane

Duncan Alexander's Team ([35:08]):

• Goalkeeper: Edison
• Defenders: Paul Ferreira, Andy Robertson, Tony Adams, Nemanja Vidic
• Midfielders: Yaya Touré, Roy Keane, David Beckham
• Forwards: Dennis Bergkamp, Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez

Team Critiques and Analysis

Jacob Whitehead:
At [25:32], Jacob presents his defensively robust team, emphasizing Cech and van Dijk as key pillars. His midfield, anchored by Rodri and Lampard, offers both defensive stability and goal-scoring prowess. Ryan Giggs provides longevity and experience on the wings.

Jack Lang:
Jack's team shines with a 4-4-2 formation, featuring legendary forward pairing Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry ([29:07]). His midfield, bolstered by De Bruyne and Fabregas, promises creative and dynamic play. Defensively, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell offer elite protection.

David Harbour:
David crafts a balanced team with Schmeichel guarding the net and a strong defensive line featuring John Terry and Ricardo Cavalho ([31:15]). His midfield trio of Vieira, Gerrard, and Scholes integrates strength and playmaking. The attacking line of Ronaldo, Bale, and Kane ensures a lethal goal threat.

Duncan Alexander:
Duncan’s selection incorporates both offensive flair and defensive might, featuring Edison in goal and Vidic alongside Adams in defense ([35:08]). His midfield of Touré, Keane, and Beckham combines defensive tenacity with creative distribution. The forward line of Bergkamp, Aguero, and Suarez promises relentless attacking pressure.

Key Insights and Conclusions

1. Era Representation:
   The draft successfully balanced players from the Classic (1992-2010) and Modern (2011-Present) eras, ensuring a blend of experience and contemporary talent.

2. Defensive Strength:
   Teams like Jacob’s and Duncan’s highlight the importance of a strong defensive base with players like Cech, van Dijk, and Vidic, crucial for maintaining league dominance.

3. Midfield Dynamics:
   Midfielders such as Rodri, Lampard, De Bruyne, and Gerrard play pivotal roles in linking defense and attack, offering both creative and defensive capabilities.

4. Attacking Prowess:
   Forward lines featuring Salah, Henry, Ronaldo, Bale, and Kane underscore the significance of versatile and high-scoring forwards in securing victories.

5. Managerial Choices:
   The selection of managers like Jose Mourinho for Jack ([22:00]) and Pep Guardiola for David ([22:10]) adds strategic depth, potentially influencing team tactics and performance.

6. Team Synergy and Balance:
   Discussions reveal the intricate balance required between individual brilliance and team cohesion. For instance, Jack Lang’s combination of Shearer and Henry creates a formidable strike partnership ([29:16]).

7. Ego Management:
   The conversation acknowledges potential challenges in managing star-studded teams, particularly concerning player egos and managerial strategies ([33:23]).

8. Cultural and Strategic Differences:
   The draft reflects varying philosophies, from defensive solidity to attacking flair, illustrating the diverse approaches to building a championship-winning team.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Duncan Alexander:
  "I'm gonna pick Roy Keane in central midfield and I get the next pick, in fact, which is exciting." ([06:03])

• Jack Lang:
  "That's like all of the Premier League goals." ([29:07])

• Jacob Whitehead:
  "It's just, we also got Leighton Baines there attacking more than Azpilicueta." ([27:32])

• David Harbour:
  "This exercise makes it crystal clear how reductive the kind of instant would this guy make your Premier League all-time 11 chat is because there is, you know, it's really the competition here is fierce." ([40:56])

• Jack Lang:
  "That's a great team. I think it's a great, great team." ([27:26])

Final Thoughts

The Premier League Draft episode of The Athletic FC Podcast delves deep into the complexities of selecting an all-time XI, balancing statistical prowess with player chemistry and historical impact. The diverse strategies employed by Duncan, Jacob, Jack, and David highlight the multifaceted nature of football team-building, celebrating the rich legacy of the Premier League.

Listeners gain invaluable insights into the meticulous selection process, team dynamics, and the enduring legacy of Premier League legends. This episode serves as a testament to the enduring passion and analytical prowess that define The Athletic's approach to football journalism.