Sometimes, as a fan, you watch an opposition player and can do little but nod and admire. Who are these stars who have earned the ultimate respect from rival onlookers? BBC Sport asked our community of fan writers for the player who has stood out as the best to face their club.
Arsenal: Charlene Smith, AFTV – Wayne Rooney stands out as the best to have faced Arsenal. He scored an iconic goal (aged 16) against them in 2002 and broke their 30-game unbeaten run.
Aston Villa: Richard Sutherland, The Villa Park Podcast – Christian Vieri was the standout player for Aston Villa. He lined up for Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Cup quarter-final at Villa Park in March 1998 and his touch, skill, pace and movement was a level above anything on the pitch.
Bournemouth: Tom Jordan, Back of the Net – Kevin de Bruyne is a huge reason why Manchester City remain the only side Bournemouth have not taken a point from in the top flight. His ability to dictate a game is mesmerising, and his intelligence with the ball is exquisite.
Brentford: Ian Westbrook, Beesotted – Glenn Hoddle must be the best player Brentford have seen face them. In 1993, as player-manager of Swindon slotting into the sweeper role, he was calmness personified as he led the Robins to a goalless draw at Griffin Park – after they had been reduced to nine men when both his strikers were shown red cards in the first half.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Stuart Matthews, Proud Seagulls – Cristiano Ronaldo stands out as the best player Brighton & Hove Albion have seen face them. He has been an amazing player, goalscorer and all-round footballer over the years.
Chelsea: Ross Mooring, Chelsea Fancast – Ronaldinho stands out as the greatest player to have faced Chelsea. He scored with an absolutely astonishing 20-yard finish at Stamford Bridge in 2005 in the Champions League.
Crystal Palace: Jay Crame, The Eagles Beak – Zlatan Ibrahimovic stands out as the best player Crystal Palace have seen face them. The brilliant Sweden striker scored a late winner for Manchester United in 2016.
Everton: Briony Bragg, This Fan Girl – Cristiano Ronaldo stands out as the best player Everton have seen face them. Though out of his real prime, and a controversial part of Manchester United at that time too, he did what he has always done best at Goodison Park in October 2022.
Fulham: Dan Crawford, Hammy End – David Felgate stands out as the best player Fulham have seen face them. He kept Fulham at bay with a string of superb saves to secure a lucrative FA Cup replay for non-league Leigh RMI in 1998.
Leeds United: Jess Furness, Her Game Too – Kevin de Bruyne stands out as the best player Leeds United have seen face them. He has set up many goals against them in recent times, and also scored an absolute beauty himself past Illan Meslier a couple of years ago.
Leicester City: Sam Holloway, LeicesterFanTV – Harry Kane stands out as the best player Leicester City have seen face them. He is always the most dangerous and you just know, home or away, he will score against them.
Liverpool: Josh Sexton, The Anfield Wrap – Lionel Messi stands out as the best player Liverpool have seen face them. He picked the Reds apart before smashing in a sumptuous free-kick to round off a 3-0 win in the first leg of the 2019 Champions League semi-final.
Manchester City: Ger Deegan, formerly of Maine Road Ramble – Messi stands out as the best player Manchester City have seen face them. He was at the peak of his powers and so influential in every aspect of the game in 2014-15 Champions League last 16 tie.
Manchester United: Dale O’Donnell, Stretty News – Eden Hazard stands out as the best player Manchester United have seen face them. Better players have played against them down the years – like Kaka and Ronaldo – but Hazard was a constant nuisance.
Newcastle United: Pete Davey, LoadedMag NUFC – Ronaldo stands out as the best player Newcastle United have seen face them. One of the greatest players of all time and in his pomp at Manchester United, he destroyed them from the left wing with lighting quick skills and a strike not seen by any in football at that time.
Nottingham Forest: Ben Dore, Dore On Tour – Cesc Fabregas stands out as the best player Nottingham Forest have seen face them. His movement on and off the ball was amazing, but his long passing to the forwards was just unbelievable.
Southampton: Ray Hunt, In That Number – Eric Cantona stands out as the best player Southampton have seen face them. Being mere feet from him is something they won’t forget and his arrogance separated him from the rest.
Tottenham Hotspur: John Wenham, Lilywhite Rose – Jay-Jay Okocha stands out as the best player Tottenham Hotspur have seen face them. The maverick magician could mesmerise with the ball at his feet with trickery, confidence and arrogance to do what others could only dream of.
West Ham United: Mia Claydon, Green Street Hammers – Eden Hazard stands out as the best player West Ham United have seen face them. He was one of the most technically gifted players the Premier League has seen, and by far the best player they have had the pleasure to watch face them.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Dazzling Dave, Always Wolves Fan TV – Kevin de Bruyne stands out as the best player Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen face them. He had a hat-trick within 24 minutes and four goals overall when Manchester City destroyed Wolves 5-1 in 2022 and Wolves just had no answer for him.