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4. Rio Ferdinand
Club: Manchester United FCAge: 34
When Manchester United broke the bank in 2002 by paying a world record fee of £30 million to secure the Englishman’s signature, many baulked at the price tag. Yet, despite having the tag of being the most expensive defender ever transferred in the EPL, Ferdinand has not let the pressure get to him.
A Manchester United legend whose career is littered with silverware and plaudits, Rio has made sure he will be remembered fondly by the Old Trafford faithful. A product of the prestigious West Ham Academy, Rio first caught the eye quite early on and that is what prompted Leeds to purchase the player for £18 million, a then British transfer record. Ferdnand’s career has gone from strength to strength and he is currently United’s main man in defence. Despite a dip in form, he rose to prominence again last season in a great year for the club that ended in a 20th league title. He still has a lot of gas left in his tank or so the United fans will be hoping.
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3. Frank Lampard
Club: Chelsea FCAge: 35
Another product of the West Ham Academy, Frank Lampard is a legend at Chelsea having recently become the club’s highest goal scorer and also holds the honour of being the only midfielder to have scored more than 150 goals in the EPL. His performances last season for Chelsea at a ripe old age of 34 earned him much praise as there had been a lot of talk of him moving elsewhere. It just goes to show that form is temporary but class is permanent.
One of the Chelsea ‘old boys’ along with John Terry, Lampard has managed to retain his place in an ever changing Chelsea midfield. His presence at the club along with Terry has also maintained a much needed stability in the Chelsea side that has seen a merry-go-round of managerial changes in recent years. He has won a host of honours with the Blues and was also the captain when they won the European Cup in Munich. Mourinho will be counting on Lampard’s expertise as he plots another title challenge.
