30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

4. Blackburn Rovers, 1994-95

Starting XI: T. Flowers (GK); H. Berg, C. Hendry, I. Pearce, G. Le Saux; S. Ripley, M. Atkins, T. Sherwood, J. Wilcox; A. Shearer, C. Sutton.

Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn side are not quite the fairytale they are often made out to be. The club’s owner, Jack Walker, pumped his wealth into the team and financed moves for big-name players like Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, who would form the attacking partnership that eventually won Blackburn the league. Other key signings included Tim Flowers (whose £2.4 million transfer from Southampton made him the most expensive ‘keeper in Britain), Graeme Le Saux from Chelsea, and Henning Berg from Norwegian side Lillestrom. Nonetheless, club captain Tim Sherwood and defensive anchor Colin Hendry had been with the side when they were promoted to the Premier League back in 1992, and remained essential components of Dalglish’s title-winning team two years later. There wasn’t much past the excellent starting XI – other than midfielder David Batty and utility man Paul Warhurst – but Blackburn’s early exits from both domestic cups and the UEFA Cup meant that rotation was somewhat unnecessary.

Sadly for Rovers, they were unable to maintain their success. After the next two seasons produced little of note, Shearer left for his boyhood club, Newcastle, and Blackburn were relegated in 1999. They would return, but would never again challenge for the title.

Next: No. 3