Selecting an all-time best Premier League XI sounds easy, right? Over 28 seasons, since the competition began in 1992-93, there have been a host of world-class players and record-breaking achievements, as well as plenty of stars who have either shone briefly or others who have performed at the top for almost two decades.

Some have amassed a huge medal collection, others have won nothing, or won everything except the Premier League itself. Six clubs have lifted the Premier League trophy -- Manchester United lead the way with 13 titles -- and within all of those teams, there have been players who made themselves indispensable and became Premier League legends.

But only 11 can make a team, and some seriously great players won't make the cut. You can be certain that everybody will end with a different all-star XI, but here goes in a 4-1-2-3 formation.

Mark Ogden picks his best all-time Premier League XI. ESPN

GK: PETER SCHMEICHEL

Perhaps the easiest selection of them all. The likes of Petr Cech, David Seaman and Edwin van der Sar were huge figures during the Premier League era -- providing the foundation for a series of title wins for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United respectively -- but none of them were as influential as Schmeichel at United.

The Dane was as crucial to United's dominance of the 1990s as Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, making as many match-winning or match-saving contributions as any of his teammates. He could throw the ball with pinpoint accuracy as far as he could kick it, and he intimidated opposition forwards with his presence and agility.

Schmeichel won five Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and a Champions League with United. No other keeper comes close.

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RB: GARY NEVILLE

This was a tough one. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold is developing into one of the leading right-backs in the world at Anfield and the 20-year-old could yet become the best the Premier League has seen, but in terms of reliability, durability, longevity and success, Neville has to be the selection. The former Manchester United captain made his debut as a 17-year-old in September 1992 and played his final game in January 2011, making 602 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's team, winning 17 major honours including eight Premier League titles.

Defensively, Neville was a classic full-back, but he could also overlap and contribute going forward, albeit without the spectacular number of assists that Alexander-Arnold produces for Liverpool. If you want a full-back to make defending a priority, Neville remains the best.

CB: RIO FERDINAND

There have been many outstanding centre-backs during the Premier League era, with Virgil van Dijk maintaining that tradition in the present day with Liverpool. So why does Ferdinand get the nod ahead of Van Dijk, Vincent Kompany, Sol Campbell, Ricardo Carvalho and the rest?

The injury problems in the final years of Ferdinand's career have perhaps clouded the true picture of the former West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United defender. He had everything: pace, athleticism, the ability to burst out of defence with the ball, leadership skills and an underestimated toughness. He also won six Premier League titles and a Champions League; ultimately his medal tally should silence any doubters.

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CB: JOHN TERRY

The best centre-back partnerships require a blend of silk and steel, and Terry was as tough as they come in the mould of defensive warriors. Nemanja Vidic, Jaap Stam, Martin Keown and Tony Adams could all fill this slot, but none of them can match Terry for longevity, with the former Chelsea captain performing for 19 seasons at Stamford Bridge.

Terry was brave to the point of recklessness, putting his head and body on the line, seemingly ignorant of the risks to his physical well-being when trying to keep the ball out of the Chelsea net. But as tough as he undoubtedly was, Terry was a great defender who could read the game as well as anyone. He was rewarded for his never-say-die attitude with five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and a medal for winning the Champions League in 2012, despite being suspended for Chelsea's win against Bayern Munich in the final.

LB: ASHLEY COLE

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There have been three great left-backs in the Premier League era -- Denis Irwin, Cole and Patrice Evra -- but the Arsenal and Chelsea defender gets the nod ahead of his two rivals from Manchester United.

Liverpool's Andy Robertson may yet join the elite left-back club, but for Cole to edge out Irwin and Evra highlights the contribution he made to two great title-winning teams at Arsenal and Chelsea.

Cole was quick, tough and as comfortable going forward as he was defensively, where he rarely lost out to a winger. Ask Cristiano Ronaldo for his toughest opponent and Cole won't be far from the top of his list. He won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups with Arsenal before adding another title and four more FA Cups at Chelsea, plus a Champions League and Europa League.

DM: ROY KEANE

Manchester United's captain during the most successful period in the club's history, Keane was the driving force of the team that dominated the football landscape for the best part of a decade.

Keane could do everything. He could tackle, score, create, inspire and intimidate. The image of the Irishman as a snarling ball of fury is not misplaced, but it can too often overshadow the reality of Keane as a player. During the peak years of United's rivalry with Arsenal during the late-1990s and early-2000s, Keane's midfield collisions with Patrick Vieira became epic encounters, with the two men defining an era. He won 13 major honours, including seven Premier League titles, during a 12-year spell at Old Trafford in which strode the stage like a Colossus.