Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Top 50 players of the decade in the Premier League - Nos 10-1
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 40-31Read Nos 30-21Read Nos 20-11[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]Super Stevie: Gerrard[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]10 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool 1998-present)[LNB]It's not just about the way he plays, because he's certainly one of the finest midfielders to have played the game, it's also a sense of timing and never-say-die attitude that sets him apart.[LNB]On numerous occasions Gerrard has been the one to drag his side back into a game, be it in the FA Cup final of 2006 or that night in Istanbul where his headed goal early in the second half started the Reds back on their road to recovery in the Champions League final a year earlier.[LNB]He contemplated a move to Chelsea not so long ago but as one commentator pointed out, Gerrard would never leave, he bleeds red. [LNB]His honours include two FA Cup wins, two League Cup wins, a UEFA Cup win and a Champions League win, as well as the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year in 2008-09, the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005-06 and the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2000-01.[LNB]9 Wayne Rooney (Everton 2002-2004, Manchester United 2004-present)[LNB]He has never been the shy or retiring type - just look at the way he announced his arrival on to Premier League scene. The then 16-year-old Everton starlet hit a dramatic looping, curling shot past Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman for a taster of things to come. [LNB]It was supposed to be a case of 'once a blue, always a blue', but Rooney commanded a bigger stage than the one offered to him at Goodison Park and the £20million move to Manchester United made him a red in 2004. [LNB]Consistently the hardest working player in Sir Alex Ferguson's side, the forward has won the Premier League three times, the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League and also the League Cup since his move across the north-west.[LNB] Shooting stars: Wayne Rooney (left) and Alan Shearer[LNB]8 Alan Shearer (Newcastle 1996-2006)[LNB]Alan Shearer will only ever be remembered for one thing: goals, and lots of them.[LNB]He made a £15m move from Blackburn back to his native Newcastle in the mid 90s and continued to find the net right up to his final appearance in the 4-1 victory over local rivals Sunderland three years ago.[LNB]His one-arm-aloft celebration followed some memorable moments as he helped Newcastle to the knockout stages of the Champions League and to third in the Premier League in 2003. [LNB]7 Patrick Vieira (Arsenal 1996-2005)[LNB]The start of the revolution at Highbury can be traced back to two precise moments: the arrival of Arsene Wenger and, slightly before him, Patrick Vieira. [LNB]Vieira was the engine which ran the new and much improved Arsenal side that were Double winners and 'invincible' under the stewardship of the France midfielder.[LNB]From the year 2000, Vieira won two League titles and three FA Cups as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.[LNB] Midfield marvels: Patrick Vieira (left) and Frank Lampard[LNB]6 Frank Lampard (West Ham 1995-2001, Chelsea 2001-present)[LNB]Lampard has been around the Premier League for almost 15 years now, but, as his Player of the Year award at Chelsea last season testifies, he seems to get better as the years go by.[LNB]Things might have been different for Frank Jnr had his dad not been sacked from West Ham coaching staff, but his move across London in 2001 was the making of him as a player. [LNB]His best spell came under Jose Mourinho when the Blues won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 and he also has two FA Cup winners' medals to his name.[LNB]He was named second in the FIFA World Player of the Year of 2005, the silver Ballon d'Or award winner in the same year, he won the Football Writers' Player of the Year and was named in the FIFPro World XI and was placed in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006.[LNB]5 Paul Scholes (Manchester United 1994-present)[LNB]Plenty of words have been written about Scholes' contribution to Sir Alex Ferguson's all-dominant side and as the song goes, 'Paul Scholes, he scores goals,' but he's much more than that. [LNB]Sir Bobby Charlton summed him up perfectly, he said: 'He's always so in control and pinpoint accurate with his passing - a beautiful player to watch.'[LNB]The 'Ginger Prince' can do everything, pass, shoot and run at defenders, he also represented his country on 66 occasions but left the international scene in 2004 to focus extending his time with United.[LNB]He has scored 145 on 621 occasions as well as winning six domestic League titles and the Champions League. One of the greats? Certainly.[LNB] Silky skills: Paul Scholes (left) and Dennis Bergkamp[LNB]4 Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal 1995-2006)[LNB]There are certain ways of playing football but the style of football that every young boy up and down the country wants to play - the Bergkamp way. [LNB]He arrived in the slightly depressed times at Arsenal under Bruce Rioch but soon established himself as the grandstand player in a team of stars.[LNB]A Double winner and an 'Invincible,' the Dutchman was the creative hub of the Gunners for over a decade. [LNB]3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United 2003-2009)[LNB]It's hard to believe that Ronaldo had a tentative start to life in the Premier League - viral videos tumbled into our inboxes showing United's new midfielder tumbling and falling with an unnerving regularity under the slightest of touches.[LNB]He certainly put those day behind him to become an all-conquering, immensely powerful flying winger/forward with an almost unstoppable free-kick. [LNB]The Portuguese was the power and creativity behind United's dominance of domestic titles and European glory, winning three League crowns, and the Champions League in his six years at Old Trafford.[LNB] Wing wizards: Old Trafford idols Ryan Giggs (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo[LNB]2 Ryan Giggs (Manchester United 1991-present)[LNB]It's consistency, you see. There's performing month after month, but to have been the League's most consistent performer for a whole decade takes something else.[LNB]The Welsh wizard has been flying up and down the wing for United now since time immemorial and the only surprise is that it took so long for him to be awarded the PFA Player of the Year in April. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award recently was a nice touch, too.[LNB]With real thought and deftness of touch, Giggs hasn't just entertained, he has dominated teams and, as time has past, used his superior football knowledge to edge teams out. [LNB]He's won it all at Old Trafford and this last 10 years, has seen him win six titles, one FA Cup and the Champions League and do you know what? He deserves more.[LNB]1 Thierry Henry (Arsenal 1999-2007)[LNB]It was never in any doubt, was it? The Gunners' fabulously talented forward just had to be our No 1 player of the decade.[LNB]Henry arrived at Highbury from Juventus a scrawny, yet talented, right-winger but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger encouraged him into a more attacking role, Henry's form blossomed and he became one of the finest strikers the Premier League has seen.[LNB] Top of the shop: Thierry Henry in his prime for Arsenal[LNB]He could take on a whole team if he wanted to scoring virtuoso goals that left opponents wondering how did he do that?[LNB]There are many Henry highlights to choose from. How about his turn and volley against Manchester United, or his 60-yard run and strike against Spurs? He didn't know how to score an average goal.[LNB]The best player of the decade may not have the greatest haul - two League titles, two FA Cups, four Golden Boots, five Player of the Year awards - but he will certainly be remembered as the player who brought the greatest style to the game in England.[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 [LNB]
