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Blackburn Rovers have had a rollercoaster 25 years, with the club spending at least one year in three different divisions and the majority of it now outside the top flight.
As the club came close to the Championship play-offs for the third time in four seasons, optimistic fans will be dreaming of a return to the Premier League, particularly if the off-the-field issues are resolved.
This summer transfer window is a big one for Blackburn Rovers, with the club looking to ensure that they are not involved in the fight against relegation while hoping there is significant investment to help them achieve that dream of returning to the top flight, as the club are one of seven clubs to win the Premier League.
Nevertheless, new signings will be hoping to make a name for themselves at Ewood Park and become fan favourites. In that spirit, EFL Analysis has taken a look at the best Rovers XI since 2000.
The best Blackburn Rovers team of the last 25 years
GK – Brad Friedel
Blackburn have been blessed with some fantastic goalkeepers this century, including Paul Robinson, Thomas Kaminski and David Raya.
However, there is only ever one candidate that was going to be selected in this side, the ever reliable, Brad Friedel.
The former American international had it all; his large, imposing presence made him fantastic in the air, but despite this large frame, he had incredible reactions and was a fine shot-stopper.
He spent eight seasons with the club and arguably the best years Rovers fans would experience in the 21st century; Friedel was in goal for 357 fixtures, missing only five Premier League fixtures across his entire Blackburn career.
RB – Lucas Neill
While the Aussie left on a bit of a sour note as he attempted to make it clear he wished to join Liverpool to win trophies before eventually joining West Ham in 2007.
Lucas Neill spent six seasons in Lancashire with Rovers, and again, it was some of the best years a fan would experience in the 21st century.
He was not the most gifted full-back, but he was a fantastic defender, having all the grit and determination needed to ensure Blackburn didn’t concede often, helping make Ewood Park a fortress.
CB – Chris Samba
A fan favourite for any Rovers fan, you could not miss Chris Samba on the pitch, as he was a giant amongst men, and he used his large frame to impose himself in both boxes.
Samba spent five years at Blackburn and was a vital player during the Sam Allardyce tenure, as he was the anchor at the back, but he also chipped in with important goals, scoring 18 in 185 appearances for the club.
The former captain left in February 2012, after joining Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, and with that it signalled the end of any chance Rovers had of promotion back to the Premier League in 2013.
CB – Ryan Nelsen
Quite possibly the most underrated centre-back to have played in the division.
The New Zealand international was a rock at the back who managed to keep some of the best forwards to have ever graced the Premier League quiet.
Nicknamed ‘The Admiral’ and earned every inch of it, as he was superb in the air and would always put his body on the line to keep goals out.
For his seven years at the club, Blackburn fans would arrive in their thousands at Ewood Park knowing they would be solid at the back when reading the name Nelsen in the starting XI in the matchday programme.
LB – Stephen Warnock
Blackburn have not been blessed with a number of top-quality left-backs; however, the former Liverpool full-back did a commendable job.
Warnock was not the most imposing figure in defence or the most creative moving forward, but he was always dependable.
Part of the Liverpool squad for their 2005 Champions League victory, Blackburn may have felt they were getting a player that would drive them onto the next level.
He would only spend two and a half seasons at the club before moving on to Aston Villa, and in those two full seasons he played every game but one in the Premier League.
RM – David Bentley
There was no doubt David Bentley was a quality player and possibly one of the most gifted players to have played for Blackburn.
He struggled to cut the mustard at Arsenal, which was the benefit of Rovers for two seasons.
Bentley will be fondly remembered for his hat trick in a 4-3 victory against Manchester United.
The former England international would leave Blackburn for Tottenham Hotspur as his stock had risen after his spell with Rovers.
Bentley has famously spoken about how he retired relatively early after he fell out of love with football, returning to Rovers on a short-term deal to attempt to rediscover the joy before his ultimate decision on his career in 2014.
CM – Tugay Kerimoglu
The former Turkish international spent the twilight years of his career in Lancashire, which could have been a concern for Rovers fans before his debut.
Yet, for eight seasons, Tugay was a shrewd operator in the heart of the Blackburn midfield, as he conducted the Rovers side.
He didn’t score many, but those goals he did score are incredibly memorable as they flew into the top corner past a hapless goalkeeper.
Tugay is not just remembered fondly by Blackburn fans, as he was one of the notable names in the Barclays craze with a number of other Rovers players.
CM – David Dunn
Starting his career at Blackburn, making his senior debut under Roy Hodgson in September 1998 against Everton.
He would leave the club in the summer of 2003 for Birmingham City, a decision he reportedly regretted, but he would return to Blackburn in January 2007.
Dunn spent the next eight years of his life at his boyhood club, remaining part of the club as they suffered relegation.
His ability was never in doubt during his time at the club, and he was often relied upon to create something to earn a win; he was destined to be an England star, but a number of serious injuries and the existence of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard denied him this honour.
Dunn made 378 appearances for Blackburn, scoring 59 goals, but also being crucial to creating chances for Rovers.
LM – Morten Gamst Pedersen
Anyone who grew up with the Premier League in the background of their lives between 2004 and 2013 will have no doubt fallen in love with Morten Gamst Pedersen.
The Norwegian international was gifted with a left foot capable of doing absolutely what it wanted with a football.
He could float a cross, tap the ball to a teammate or fire an effort into the top corner.
Another name mentioned heavily with the Barclays men, he is fondly remembered not just by Rovers fans.
He played a total of 347 times for Blackburn, scoring 47 goals across his career in Lancashire, with the winger central to everything good at the club in his nine years at Rovers.
CAM – Sammie Szmodics
The only player on this list not to have played Premier League football for Blackburn, and while there are more talented players that could have made this side, his importance for Rovers in the last few years sees him get the nod.
Sammie Szmodics may have only spent two full seasons at the club, but his goals were crucial in Blackburn pushing for the Championship play-offs in one campaign while in the other avoiding relegation.
He scored 40 goals across 90 appearances in two seasons with the Lancashire club, earning him a move to Ipswich Town and international caps for the Republic of Ireland.
ST – Roque Santa Cruz
Blackburn Rovers have had some incredible strikers at the club, including Benni McCarthy, Yakubu and Andrew Cole.
However, none of them were at the same level as Roque Santa Cruz in his two seasons with Blackburn Rovers.
This period came between his spells at Bayern Munich and Manchester City, showing the talent the Paraguayan striker possessed.
Santa Cruz earned the move to Manchester City after his 23 goals in only 57 Premier League appearances, showing he was a clinical force in front of goal.
The goals in his first season fired Blackburn to seventh in the league, while a disappointing second season where Rovers finished 15th may have helped in his decision to leave the club.