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The first decade of 21st century was indeed an eventful one in the history of English football. Sir Alex Ferguson-led Manchester United were coming into the century with a treble season, whereas at Highbury, Arsene Wenger was in the process for creating a team for the future. This era saw the rise of dominance of four teams - 'The Big Four' - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United.
Barring Liverpool, all the Premier League titles were shared between the three of them. Manchester United won five of them, Chelsea won three, while Arsenal won two, including the famous Invincibles season.
While Liverpool might not have won any PL titles in this era, they did win their own treble - FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Cup!
This era saw the rise of teams who were ready to challenge the aforementioned, for the European spots, such as Everton, Newcastle United, Manchester City & Tottenham Hotspurs.
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We also saw the influx of cash into the Premier League, thanks to the TV rights deal and the sale of Chelsea and Manchester City to ultra-rich Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan respectively.
A big number of tactical masters were present in the Premier League during this decade, such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez, Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti, Sam Allardyce and many more.
If there were excellent managers, there was no shortage of world-class players in the league. The quality of the league was at its peak and English teams were a regular feature in the continent's premier competitions - UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.
The Big Four played in five of the UCL finals, with Liverpool (2005) and Manchester United (2008) going onto win the trophy. Liverpool, Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Fulham made the UEFA Cup final during the decade, with only Liverpool going onto win the title.
All the teams in the league will be filled with such great quality and talent, and here are the best eleven of the decade :playing in a 4-4-2 formation and managed by Sir Alex Ferguson
Goalkeeper - Edwin van der Sar
A tough choice for the goalkeeping position, with Petr Cech making a strong claim for the place. van der Sar was a rock between the posts for Manchester United ever since he left Fulham to join them. He solved the goalkeeping conundrum that United were having ever since the departure of Peter Schmeichel.
He won three Premier League titles with United in the decade, including the 2008 Champions League final, wherein he was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Van Der Sar won the Golden Glove in 2008/09, and in that very season, broke the record for going most minutes without conceding a goal in the league - an astonishing 1311 minutes!!!! He holds the record for most number of consecutive clean sheets in Premier League, as well as English football.
Van Der Sar won the European Keeper of the Year award in 2009 and was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2006/07, 2008/09 and 2010/11. His presence brought a sense of calm into the team, with the defenders having someone super reliable behind them.
Honourable mentions - Petr Cech, Jens Lehmann
Defenders
John Terry (Centre-Back)
John Terry is an obvious choice for the center back role, considering his highly successful time with Chelsea.
The highest scoring defender in Premier League history, Terry was a leader on and off the pitch. A strong and commanding defender, he helped shape up Chelsea's best years. In the decade, he won three PL titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups. Due to this successes, he was named the UEFA Club Defender of the Year for 2005, 2008 and 2009, and also received the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005 for his outstanding performances.
His talents and showings helped him gain a place in the FIFA FIFPro World XI from 2005 to 2009 and was also included in 2006 World Cup Team of the Tournament and the PFA Team of the Century.
Rio Ferdinand (Centre-Back)
Rio Ferdinand moved from Leeds United to Manchester United in 2002, becoming the most expensive defender of all time in the process.
Well, United recuperated all the money spent on him, with Ferdinand having a trophy-laden time at Manchester United. He won 4 PL titles in the era, along with a couple of League Cups and a certain Champions League trophy.
He was known as a no-nonsense defender and captained United through some of its most glorious years.
An excellent reader of the game, in particular, he was singled out for his unique technical ability and confidence on the ball, as well as his distribution and ability to play the ball on the ground.
He was in the PFA Premier League team of the year on four occasions (2001/02, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08) as well as being included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2007/08.
Ashley Cole (Left-Back)
One of the greatest left-back in the world during the decade, Ashley Cole was at his peak and was an indispensable part of the Invincibles squad of 2003/04. He played for the London rivals - Arsenal & Chelsea - winning a number of titles with both of them. A marauding left back, he excelled equally in both defense and attack. He has won 3 PL titles as well as a record 7 FA Cups. He was a part of the PFA PL Team of the Year in 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05 as well as the UEFA Team of the Year in 2004.
Gary Neville (Right-Back)
Apart from his time at Valencia, Gary Neville has had a hell of a career. Playing at Manchester United all his career, he was their first choice right back for more than a decade and arguably, the best right back to ever grace the PL.
He won five PL titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, along with the 2008 Champions League. Gary Neville was an aggressive, tenacious, and hard-tackling player, known for his work-rate, professionalism, determination, and consistency as a defender. He captained United during their most glorious years and was included in the PFA Team of the Year for five times, along with being included in the PFA Team of the Century.
Honourable mentions- Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, William Gallas
Midfielders
Paul Scholes (Centre Midfield)
If legends like Xavi, Henry and Zidane say that you're the most complete midfielder they've seen, they're probably not kidding about how good you're.
That's Paul Scholes for you. A one-team man, he has won more PL titles than any other English player, and two Champions League with them.
A vital cog in SAF's illustrious Manchester United side, he was regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Scholes was highly regarded for his technical skills, renowned for his accurate passing, intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range.
He scored 107 goals in his PL career & was selected as the PFA Player of the Month four times, along with twice being selected in the PFA Team of the Year.
Frank Lampard (Centre Midfield)
The highest scoring midfielder in PL history, Frank Lampard had been the mainstay of Chelsea for more than a decade. He helped shaped Chelsea's best years under Mourinho and became the backbone of the team for years to come.
Lampard was an all-round and versatile box-to-box player, who was capable of playing anywhere in midfield. In addition to his creative and defensive midfield roles, Lampard also possessed a keen eye for goal, due to his ability to make attacking runs into the area, or produce accurate and powerful shots from distance.
He won three PL titles, along with two FA cups in the decade. Lampard went onto win the Champions League as well as Europa League with Chelsea in the coming decade. He won PFA Player of the Month four times, along with being England POTY twice & came second in the FIFA Player Of The Year and Ballon d'Or in 2005.
Steven Gerrard (Right Midfield)
The only one on the list without a PL winner's medal, Steven Gerrard remains the greatest player without a league medal. Playing in the midfield for Liverpool for almost all his life, Gerrard is an all-time Kop favourite.
The Miracle of Istanbul made Gerrard a Merseyside legend and probably the most wanted player on the planet at that time.
Gerrard was capable of playing in a number of positions - A hardworking box-to-box player, he was usually deployed as a central midfielder, but he had also been used as a second striker, a holding midfielder, an attacking midfielder, a right back, and a right winger (the position he occupies in this list).
He was named in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times, won the PFA Player of the Month a record6 times, the UEFA Team of the Year and FIFA World XI three times and was named PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2006. Despite this individual brilliance, he could never lead Liverpool to a PL title.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Left Midfield)
One of the greatest players to ever grace the Premier League, CR7 was a force to reckon with. Bought from Sporting CP in 2003, he became the most expensive teenager in British history and quickly showing his potential to the world.
He won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup, and the Champions League in 2008 - the year he won his Ballon d'Or & FIFA Player of the Year. During the decade, He was in the FIFPro World XI four times, UEFA Team of The Year five times, PFA Team of the Year four times, PFA Young Player of The Year and PFA Golden Boot winner in 2008,
A traditional winger, Ronaldo started operating centrally further in his career & was known for his pace, dribbling and flair. Before the reputed BBC, he was a part of another lethal trio - Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and him.
Honourable mentions - Claude Makelele, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Michael Essien
Strikers
Thierry Henry
Arsenal's Greatest ever Goalscorer, Thierry Henry dominated the PL scoring charts before his departure to Barcelona. He won four consecutive Golden Boots and was influential in Gunners' Invincible season. He won two FA Cups and two PL titles and led them to the CL final in 2006.
In 2003 and 2004, Henry was the runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year. He was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, and the FWA Footballer of the Year three times, and has been named in the UEFA Team of the Year five times.
He had the best goals-to-games ratio in the Premier League, before being eclipsed by a certain Harry Kane. He has also provided most assists in a season, 20; a record yet to broken. Definitely, the first choice striker for any team during that decade.
Wayne Rooney
With over 200 Premier League goals and 100+ assists, it's safe to say that Wayne Rooney may be considered as one of the Premier League's greatest forward. A prodigy at Everton, United bought him for a record sum for a teenager and he quickly settled into the team.
With his pace, vision and shooting being the key characteristics, he formed a devastating partnership with Ronaldo and was instrumental in winning the three PL Titles, two League Cups and the 2008 CL during this decade.
He was the creative and attacking threat in the United team in SAF's final years at the club. A prolific player, he went onto become the record goalscorer for both Manchester United and England.
Primarily a forward but effective from midfield too, he is regarded as the Greatest English player of his generation.
He has been named the PFA Player of the Month five times, in the PFA Team of the Year three times, PFA Young Player of the Year twice and PFA Players' Player Of The Year once. A scintillating player, a delight for any manager to have in their team.
Honourable mentions - Didier Drogba, Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Fernando Torres, Michael Owen
