We name the finest talents to have graced the Premier League throughout the Noughties.
The finest talents from the world's most exciting league
Rob Parrish looks back at the past 10 years of Premier League football and selects a side composed of the finest talents to have graced the world's most exciting league throughout the Noughties.
Brad Friedel
Friedel may not have the haul of medals to match his rivals, but he earns his place in this select group by virtue of his astonishing level of consistency over the past 10 years. Snapped up by Blackburn on a free transfer from Liverpool, the American helped Rovers to League Cup glory in 2002 and is now part of Aston Villa's quest for a UEFA Champions League berth.
Gary Neville
Mr Manchester United polarises opinion among supporters but few can argue with his commitment to the club or the trophy haul he has helped the Red Devils gather. Frustrated by injuries in the past couple of years, Neville's defensive abilities earlier in the decade allowed both David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo greater freedom, while England have found him tough to replace.
Rio Ferdinand
Classy and composed, Ferdinand has been an integral part of United and England's defence and worth every penny of the £30million Sir Alex Ferguson shelled out. Few centre-backs demonstrate the same level of elegance when in possession. Excellent positional sense and reading of the game mean that the former Leeds and West Ham man is not always making the last-ditch tackles of his peers.
John Terry
Emerged from the Chelsea academy and overcame early off-field problems to establish himself as the undisputed leader of both club and country with his fearless approach. Terry gives 100 per cent every time he steps onto the pitch and demands the same from those around him. Appears to genuinely enjoy full-blooded challenges, while also a threat from set-pieces.
Ashley Cole
Not universally popular, but it is impossible to argue with his abilities. One of the world's leading left-backs who combines solid defence with an attacking threat. Cole made his name with Arsenal before his controversial and much-criticised move to Chelsea, where he has continued to improve. An essential component of the England squad with few comparable deputies.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lit up the Premier League with his astonishing abilities as he blossomed under Ferguson's watchful eye before being lured away by the riches of Real Madrid. Arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon as a talented teenager with a reputation for trickery but arguably lacking an end product and departed as one of the finest talents on the planet for a world record fee.
Frank Lampard
Achieves astonishing levels of consistency in Chelsea's star-studded midfield and has contributed 20 goals in each of the last four seasons while creating many more. The Blues invested £11million to secure Lampard's services from West Ham in June 2001 and it has proved to be money well spent. Has never lost his place at Stamford Bridge despite a host of other big-name signings.
Steven Gerrard
Talismanic midfielder who is the driving force behind Liverpool's regular quests for glory and would be watching from the Kop if he was not skippering the side. His contribution to the club's finest moments - most notably their stunning UEFA Champions League success over AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005 - must never be underestimated or overlooked.
Ryan Giggs
The evergreen Giggs is the most decorated individual in Premier League history, making more appearances than any other outfield player and with 100 goals to his name. The flying winger who terrorised defenders at the start of the decade has been replaced by an astute midfielder whose vision and passing are equally as capable of unlocking the opposition.
Thierry Henry
Arrived at Arsenal from Juventus as a winger and departed as one of the most complete strikers in the game after developing under the keen eye of manager Arsene Wenger. Pace, skill and a deadly finishing ability helped Henry set new standards for the Gunners. The Frenchman racked up an astonishing record haul of 226 goals in just 380 games during his time in North London.
Alan Shearer
Shearer may have hung up his boots in the summer of 2006 but he did so as the record goalscorer of Newcastle United and in Premier League history, with both marks unlikely to be matched. Rated by many as the complete striker, the former England international boasted great strength, superb ability in the air, a fearsome shot and a predator's instincts for finding the net.
