The best Premier League XI of all time is one of those things that’ll be debated by pundits and drunken armchair experts (ourselves included) sat around pub tables forever but, nevertheless, it’s something we always love to toy with every season.
However, when you take out opinion and the blatant fan bias we all wear proudly on our sleeves week in and week out, it can be tough to sit back and objectively sift through all the countless superstars the English top flight has seen down the years.
That’s why when we heard someone had decided to ask the question not of themselves but the super smart artificial intelligence (AI) system known as ChatGPT, we were obviously very curious.
While it seems to be everywhere now, we’re still pretty new to AI and when Bettingapps.org tasked ChatGPT with coming up with the greatest Premier League starting 11 of all time, it didn’t disappoint. Here’s what it came up with.
ChatGPT’s best Premier League XI of all time
Basing its decision on players that “demonstrated exceptional skill, impact, and longevity in the Premier League”, the AI sifted through numerous top talents that ever graced the English game.
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Setting up in a 4-3-3 formation, the team is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel – Man United
Defenders: Gary Neville – Man United, John Terry – Chelsea, Vincent Kompany – Man City, Ashley Cole – Arsenal/Chelsea
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard – Liverpool, Paul Scholes – Man United, Frank Lampard – Chelsea
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo – Man United, Thierry Henry – Arsenal, Alan Shearer – Blackburn Rovers / Newcastle
In case you need to better visualise it, here’s an idea of how it might look:
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Damn, that’s a team and a half that…
You’ve got to admit, that’s not just up there with the likes of Barcelona’s 2008/09 squad, City or United‘s treble-winning seasons or any of the other great teams football’s ever seen, it would most likely wipe the floor with pretty much anyone.
That being said, when it initially pumped out the results, the AI-generated dream team manager did concede that there were a lot of other players who didn’t quite make the cut but would more than happily sit on the subs bench.
These players included Petr Čech, Rio Ferdinand, Patrick Viera, Erling Haaland and so, so, SO many others absolute world-beaters.
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Even just a handful of them would probably make the greatest second team ever conceived.
What do you make of ChatGPT’s assembly of the greatest-ever Premier League players? Would it work as a team or would that midfield literally just be a repeat of England’s ‘Golden Generation‘ where Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes simply never worked in the same squad?
More importantly, are there glaring errors and players you think simply have to be in that team?
Either way, you can’t pretend the world of AI isn’t fascinating and it’s quite incredible to see how much information it can pull together with just the click of a button. We even asked it to write an article on how to spend the perfect day out in Manchester.
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Danny Jones -
27th August 2023 
