John Terry is seen by many as an England captain of the future, and his leadership qualities and sheer strength at the back will be a real asset in Germany.
The 25-year-old has risen through the Chelsea ranks to become the club captain and lynchpin, with even Roman Abramovich's billions unable to find anyone better at the back.
"He's a great leader on the pitch. He shows a lot of passion and that's what every team needs, a player with that quality who leads from defence and can control the team. That is what he's got."
David Beckham.
A year later and Terry was lifting Chelsea's Player of the Year award, while 2002 saw him really rise to prominence when making the FA Cup final only to be denied victory by Arsenal.
Terry unsurprisingly captained the England Under-21 side, but his arrest and charge of affray threatened to tarnish his career when he was banned from representing his country by The FA, but he was later cleared and allowed to play for England again.
The nightclub incident may have only served to give Terry the proverbial kick up the backside he needed, and that is a far cry from the model professional who is a credit to both club and country today.
Claudio Ranieri was the man who handed a then 23-year-old Terry the captain's armband at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 2003, the same year as Terry finally made his full international debut against Serbia & Montenegro.
Sven Goran Eriksson was equally impressed and Terry got his major chance when covering for the banned Rio Ferdinand, and he excelled alongside Sol Campbell in Euro 2004.
Terry has grown in stature under new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and, despite the millions of pounds of talent in the squad, the local lad who rose through the ranks is definitely the top dog at the Bridge.
Terry lifted his first trophy as Chelsea captain in the 2005 Carling Cup after beating Liverpool, and he then went on to lift The Premiership after marshalling the meanest of defences all season.
Terry's displays saw him crowned as the PFA Player of the Year in 2005, such was his standing amongst his fellow professionals who knew only too well how tough an opponent he can be.
A virtual ever present, Terry's no-nonsense style and all-action defending has won him an army of fans, whilst his commanding aerial presence is just as useful in the opposition box as his own as he has popped up with some crucial goals at times.
Terry has transformed himself into one of the best defenders in the world, and is certain to be a rock on which any England success will be built.
