Greatest ever Premier League era combined XI from Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Peter Beardsley
The big three North East clubs have produced some wonderfully attacking, exciting teams throughout the Premier League era, and we take a look at the best combined XI from from the last 24 years.
Formation: 3-1-4-2
GK – Shay Given:
Shay Given
One of the few positions where there was little doubt. The Republic of Ireland international spent 12 years at St James’ Park, and made 462 appearances for the Magpies.
His time at Newcastle saw him become one of the best stoppers in the league, and there can be little argument against his inclusion in the side.
CB – Philipe Albert:
The Belgian holds legendary status at St James’ Park and is most remembered for his wonderful goal against Manchester United in a 5-0 win, when he chipped the ball over the hapless Peter Schmeichel from 25-yards out.
Solid in the air and on the ground, the left-footed Albert would bring much balance to the back-three.
CB – Gareth Southgate:
One of the most composed centre-backs to ever play in the Premier League, Southgate spent five years at the Riverside, becoming captain in his second season with the club.
He became the first Boro captain to lift a major trophy after he helped his team win the Carling Cup in 2004, and will always be thought of as a fan favourite on Teesside.
CB – Kevin Ball:
Although he later evolved into a ball-winning midfielder, Ball began his Sunderland career as a centre-back.
Tenacious in the tackle, and always reliable, he would compliment the ball-playing Albert and the calculated Southgate perfectly.
He went on to make 392 appearances for the Black Cats during a nine-year spell with the club.
CDM- Paul Ince:
Paul Ince
The legendary England international had to be part of this team, to provide balance and to allow the plethora of attacking stars the freedom to roam.
He made 106 appearances for Boro during his three-year spell on Teesside, and was club captain.
RM – David Ginola:
One of the most gifted foreigners to grace the Premier League, Ginola possessed a rare combination of grace and physical power.
He could glide along the pitch with the ball stuck to his feet, and his physical prowess enabled him to hold off opponents with ease.
A set-piece expert, he would be on corner and free-kick duty in our team.
He made 75 appearances for Newcastle during a two-year spell with the club.
LM – Peter Beardsley:
Newcastle born and bread, Beardsley is a legend amongst the terraces at St James’ Park.
His second spell on Tyneside saw him make 158 appearances and he was part of the Kevin Keegan side who came so close to winning the Premier League title in 1996.
One of the greatest playmakers of all-time, he would dictate the tempo of the team. He led by example, and had to be part of this XI.
CM – Rob Lee:
Lee was an incredibly consistent performer, and one of the best box-to-box midfielders to grace the Premier League.
He possessed a terrific engine and was just as important for his team defensively as he was in attacking areas.
He was renowned for making perfectly timed runs into the box and made 382 appearances for Newcastle during his 10-year spell with the club.
CM – Juninho:
The incredibly talented Brazilian took the Premier League by storm when he arrived at the Riverside in 1999.
He made a permanent move to Middlesbrough three years later, and will go down in history as a Boro legend.
Juninho was small in stature but had the personality and heart of a lion.
He was composed in possession and possessed a vast array of skills and trickery that typified his game. He would be the ideal midfield partner for Rob Lee.
CF – Kevin Phillips:
One of the most prolific strikers in Premier League history, Phillips scored 134 goals in 239 appearances for the Black Cats.
Lethal inside the 18-yard box, he was the Jermain Defoe of yester-year.
CF – Alan Shearer:
Last, but certainly not least, the greatest goalscorer in Premier League history.
Shearer moved to his boyhood club Newcastle in the summer of 1996 and went on to score 206 goals in 404 games for his club.
Shearer was one of the best in the air, and deadly when presented with a goalscoring chance.
He would be the perfect partner for Phillips, and vice-versa.
Here’s how the team would line up, in neutral colours!
With so many great players to choose from, it is always heard to leave out certain players. The likes of Les Ferdinand, Gaizka Mendieta Nolberto Solano can consider themselves extremely unlucky!
Who do you think should have made the team? And who is undeserving of their place?
Alan Shearer
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
