What if the Premier League had an All-Star Game? Which Players Would Make the Cut?

The Inspiration

If there is one thing I love about American sports, it is their all-star games for their respective major sports leagues. Whether it’s the NBA, NFL, NHL or MLB, the all-star games always attract plenty on fanfare and are often quite the spectacle. I mean, who doesn’t want to see the best players in the league go at it on two different teams. You could even do it for charity or something along those lines.

So, this got me thinking, what if we had something like this for the Premier League. Imagine the likes of Fernandes and Haaland linking up in the final 3^rd. Or Van Dijk and Saliba playing alongside each other. Make sure the prize pot was huge and all going to charity and I’m sure you’d have quite the game. Alas, we already have such packed schedules I fear it may never materialise. Nonetheless this did not stop us from dreaming.

 

The Format

Now there are a couple formats which could be adopted for this. The first is two even teams of the best 36 players. Or, as has often been the case in the NBA, US v rest of the world. Although the prospect of a Kane-less and Bellingham-less England team didn’t seem too appealing, so we have gone with the former. Another fun alternative could be a North v South Game with 10 teams belonging to the Northern contingent and 10 to the Southern of the Prem.

The first stage is deciding which players make the cut. This would be decided by either the fans or a select panel. Not only would this provide a fun way for fans to interact with the league, but this would also provide an opportunity for players to acquire ‘All-Star selection’ status and have it listed as an individual accolade.

Naturally this would require a minimum of 22 starting players as well as a full subs bench consisting of 7 for each team. With certain quotas for defenders, midfielders, forwards and goalkeepers. This would also do a good job of showering some attention on defenders which often goes unnoticed (Yes, I played defence growing up).

A captain would then be selected for the 2 teams (Red & Blue?). Who would then take it in turns to pick players 1 by 1 to join their team until they have filled their team and hit their quotas. I’m sure there will be some purists reading this thinking ‘ahh but it would ruin the prem rivalries, Americanisation, packed schedules etc. Well one message to you all. Womp Womp, live a little. You can’t tell me this wouldn’t be fun.

 

The Teams

In case this couldn’t get more controversial, we now move onto the most contentious section, who makes the cut. As is customary, each All-Star team is in theory decided on the players form in that season. This is not a lifetime achievement award. Naturally this can be tricky with fan voting, which is why leagues often have a final panel who vets certain inclusions to prevent stuff like trolling.

So, without further ado, here are the 36 players we think would make the 2025/26 Premier League All-star Game.

 

4 Goalkeepers

• David Raya
• Robin Roefs
• Emi Martinez
• Gianluigi Donnaruma

 

12 Defenders

• Gabriel Magalhaes
• William Saliba
• Virgil Van Dijk
• James Tarkowski
• Daniel Munoz
• Nico O’Reilly
• Nordi Mukiele
• Jurrien Timber
• Marc Guehi
• Marcos Senesi
• Lewis Hall
• Dan Ballard

 

10 Midfielders

• Bruno Fernandes
• Declan Rice
• Elliot Anderson
• Bruno Guimaraes
• Dominik Szoboszlai
• Moises Caicedo
• Granit Xhaka
• Casemiro
• James Garner
• Morgan Rogers

 

10 Forwards

• Erling Haaland
• Antoine Semenyo
• Igor Thiago
• Joao Pedro
• Harry Wilson
• Hugo Ekitike
• Bryan Mbeumo
• Matheus Cunha
• Jarrod Bowen
• Raul Jimenez

 

I’m sure there will be plenty of disagreement here, particularly around big name omissions like Saka, Palmer and Foden but if we’re being honest, they have all either missed time, been benched or not been up to standard this season. Nonetheless, debate is always fun.

 

How the Teams Might Line Up

Red Team

 

Blue Team

 

We did our best to split the quality of players down the middle to make for an interesting contest but naturally it would always be hard to balance given the difference in opinion people will often have.

But honestly, looking at both teams, you can’t tell me a match between these two teams would not be fun. Winning team all gets £100k donated to a charity of each winning players choice or something along those lines. This would also give them something to play for.

All of this aside from the massive broadcasting and branding opportunities it could provide the Premier League could be even more substantial.

Not only would this give us temporary relief from this defensive brand of football that’s seemed to infect the Premier League, but also the chance to watch the best players in the league on the pitch at the same time. What a spectacle.

Let us know what you think and if there’s any changes you would make.

 

Check out our Feature Articles section for more fun articles.