THE LIST: Top 50 players of the decade in the Premier League - Nos 30-21

16 December 2009 00:01
        HAVE YOUR SAY...     Who is the best Premier League player of the decade? As we leave another decade behind, it seems only right that we remember some of the great players that have brightened our footballing lives in the ten years past. Who has been your favourite - and have we missed anyone out? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK As we leave another decade behind, it seems only right that we remembersome of the great players that have brightened our footballing lives inthe 10 years past. [LNB] Read Nos 50-41Read Nos 40-31[LNB]We know better than anyone here at Sportsmail that you simply can't please everyone with lists of this nature, andcompiling a countdown of the top players from the top flight was thetoughest of tasks indeed.[LNB]But we certainly welcome your views as you share this week's countdown with us, all the way through to our top ten on Friday.[LNB]And remember, we are talking about players that made the most contribution and had the most impact in the years 2000-2009.[LNB]So sit back, take a break and enjoy ....[LNB] London pride: Chelsea's Joe Cole (left) and Arsenal's Robin van Persie[LNB]30 Joe Cole (West Ham 1998-2003, Chelsea 2003-present) [LNB]West Ham fans don't need any reminding that that they produced a generation of players that could have challenged for the title - ones like Joe Cole.[LNB]Considered a one-trick pony when he began his career, even a bit of a luxury, but after more then 100 games in five years for the Hammers he moved across London, joined Chelsea and started to realise his potential.[LNB]In his six years at Stamford Bridge, he has won two League titles, the FA Cup and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2006 as well as becoming a regular in the England team.[LNB]29 Robin van Persie (Arsenal, 2004-present)[LNB]Arsene Wenger has a habit of remoulding players and getting the very best out of the talent at his disposal. Just like with Thierry Henry, Wenger has converted Van Persie from a winger into a striker and one of the best the League has ever seen.[LNB]From dramatic goals such as the flying volley he scored against Charlton and a bullet free-kick against Fulham in 2006 to his devastating early-season form this term, the big Dutchman has proved himself a natural goalscorer.[LNB]Injury may have interrupted his season, but he should be available for international duty at next summer's World Cup in South Africa. [LNB]Veteran: Gary Speed (right) in his Bolton days[LNB]28 Gary Speed (Newcastle 1998-2004, Bolton 2004-2008)[LNB]Until recently one of only two players to have scored in every Premier League season. Only Ryan Giggs has carried on the trend since Speed dropped down a league in 2008.[LNB]The Wales midfielder was an integral part of the Leeds United side that won the final Division One title, as it was in 1992, and was still going strong in the Champions League with Newcastle a decade later.[LNB]Regarded as a legend at every club he has played for and has recently moved into a coaching role at Sheffield United.[LNB]27 Gareth Barry (Aston Villa 1997-2009, Manchester City 2009-present)[LNB]Rarely one to grab the headlines from midfield, Barry made many heads turn with his move to Eastlands in the summer after 12 months of being courted by Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. [LNB]Barry was first called up to the England team by Kevin Keegan in 2000 and is now a vital player pulling the strings for club and country.[LNB]Hughes summed Barry up recently when he said: 'You can hang your hat on Gareth Barry. He's able to produce performance after performance and that is invaluable to any team.' [LNB] Midfield marvels: City's Gareth Barry (left) and Chelsea's Michael Essien[LNB]26 Michael Essien (Chelsea 2005-present)[LNB]From the streets of Ghana to Stamford Bridge, Essien has risen to the very top of game, bringing strength and tenacity to one of the most powerful midfields in the game. [LNB]Mainly considered a box-to-box midfielder, Essien has proven his worth by being able to cover in many positions. And he can come up with the odd goal every now and again - his volley against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final last season, for example.[LNB]He has two FA Cup winners' medals to go alongside a League title won with the Blues. [LNB]25 David Beckham (Manchester United 1993-2003)[LNB]The goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon, Champions League success at the Nou Camp... Beckham could never top the Nineties in terms of the impact he made at United, but the England winger was arguably at his most productive during the early years of this decade.[LNB]His relationship with boss Sir Alex Ferguson had started to deteriorate, but Beckham helped United to League titles in 2000 and 2001 and scored a career-best 16 during an injury-curtailed 2001-02 season.[LNB] Creative types: United's David Beckham (left) and Chelsea's Gianfranco Zola[LNB]24 Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea 1996-2003)[LNB]The catalyst for the introduction of foreign players in such great numbers? It's hard to quantify, but Zola was certainly one of the first players to really set the Premier League alight.[LNB]The diminutive Italian scored some incredible goals, had an industrious work-rate and did it all with a smile on his face. Went out on a high in 2003, scoring a Chelsea-high 16 in his final season.[LNB]Now managing West Ham, he will be hoping to mirror the domestic and European glory he achieved with Chelsea. [LNB]23 Fernando Torres (Liverpool 2007-present)[LNB]Born in Madrid, but made for English football, Fernando Torres is an old-fashioned centre forward who has flourished since signing for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007. [LNB]The 6ft 1in, physically imposing striker has already reached 60 goals in less than 100 games for the Merseysiders, showing why they've miss him so much during spells on the sidelines this season and last. [LNB]Loves Liverpool, just as he did Atletico, but how long will he stick around without winning the trophy his brilliance deserves?[LNB] Red hot: Liverpool's Fernando Torres (left) and former Arsenal star Ashley Cole[LNB]22 Ashley Cole (Arsenal 1999-2006, Chelsea 2006-present) [LNB]Certainly a player that polarises opinion when it comes to his character, but there is no denying that he is one of the finest full backs in the world.[LNB]He was idolised for a time down at Arsenal after rising through the ranks and finally getting his chance at the turn of the century, only to commit the cardinal sin of moving to London rivals Chelsea were the pay was better.[LNB]He has continued to flourish at Stamford Bridge, winning FA Cups and the League Cup since his move in 2006.[LNB]21 Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal 2003-present)[LNB]Barcelona must really be kicking themselves after allowing a 16-year-old Fabregas to leave their youth set-up and move to Arsenal.[LNB]Schooled under the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in north London, Fabregas has become the engine of Arsene Wenger's current Arsenal side, which plays some of the best football the Premier League has ever seen.[LNB]Will surely add to his FA Cup winners medal in the coming seasons.[LNB] Top Gunner: Skipper Cesc Fabregas is Arsenal's driving force in midfield[LNB]The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail's top 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 Merseyside derby heroesSportsmail's top 50 players from Tottenham or ArsenalSportsmail's top 50 football kits of all time Sportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail's worst 50 strikers in the Premier LeagueSportsmail's top 50 stars who failed to play fairSportsmail's top 50 midfield maestrosSportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 free-kick kingsSportsmail's top 50 England heroesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's top 50 signings of the season Sportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroesSportsmail's top 50 partnerships  

Source: Daily_Mail