Since the Premier League’s formation in 1992, a handful of sides have transcended mere excellence to enter the realm of footballing legend. Each of these squads redefined what dominance looked like, combining individual brilliance with collective cohesion in ways that still resonate decades on. These are the ten greatest teams the English top flight has produced.

1. 1

   Manchester City

   2023–24 · Treble Chasers

   Pep Guardiola’s fourth title-winning side played some of the most intricate, relentless football the division has witnessed, accumulating 91 points in a campaign of extraordinary depth. Their ability to rotate and still maintain control set a new standard for squad management at the elite level.

2. 2

   Arsenal

   2003–04 · The Invincibles

   Arsène Wenger’s masterpiece went the entire 38-game league season unbeaten, winning the title with a combination of pace, artistry and iron will. Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires formed a midfield-to-forward axis that no side could consistently contain.

3. 3

   Manchester City

   2017–18 · The Centurions

   Guardiola’s first City vintage reached 100 points — a record that still stands — and scored 106 league goals with a fluency that left rivals chasing shadows. Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated from deep while Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling stretched defences to breaking point.

4. 4

   Manchester United

   1998–99 · Treble Winners

   Sir Alex Ferguson’s side claimed the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the most dramatic of fashions, epitomised by the stunning stoppage-time comeback in Barcelona. Roy Keane’s leadership and Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke’s devastating partnership were central to one of football’s greatest seasons.

5. 5

   Chelsea

   2004–05 · Mourinho’s First

   José Mourinho’s Chelsea conceded just 15 goals in 38 matches — a top-flight record — and accumulated 95 points to win the title by a commanding margin. The foundation was a defensive unit of Frank Lampard, Claude Makélélé and John Terry that was, for a sustained period, essentially impenetrable.

6. 6

   Liverpool

   2019–20 · Champions at Last

   Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool won the club’s first league title in 30 years with a record-breaking 99 points, securing the championship with seven games to spare. The defensive spine of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho provided the platform for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino to flourish.

7. 7

   Manchester United

   1993–94 · Double Winners

   Ferguson’s second great United side completed the Double in the Premier League’s second season, with Eric Cantona’s creativity and Paul Ince’s combativeness making them all but unplayable. Their 92-point haul set the benchmark for what English dominance could look like in the new era.

8. 8

   Manchester City

   2021–22 · Haaland Minus One

   Guardiola’s City ground out a tense title race against Liverpool with 93 points, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne combining in a system of extraordinary tactical variety. The title was clinched on the final day at the Etihad in circumstances that underscored the side’s capacity to find a way through.

9. 9

   Chelsea

   2009–10 · Ancelotti’s Double

   Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea scored 103 Premier League goals — still the division’s record — fuelled by a lethal partnership between Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Frank Lampard’s 22 league goals from midfield added a dimension that confounded even the most organised defences.

10. 10

    Arsenal

    2001–02 · Wenger’s Double

    Arsenal’s Double-winning side of 2001–02 confirmed that Wenger’s project had matured into genuine greatness, with the title secured at Old Trafford in particularly satisfying fashion. Freddie Ljungberg, Henry and Robert Pires provided a creative trident that opposing managers privately admitted was almost impossible to plan for.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.