Anyway, let's get the next ten players in the history books:
40. Jamie Carragher (Liverpool) 64 points
Ian Wright: They say that God loves a tryer and for most of his career that's all that Jamie Carragher was. An honest pro who did whatever was asked of him and played wherever he was picked, seemingly without complaint but who never looked like a top class player. Much of his career at Liverpool and for England saw him slotting in at centre half or defensive midfield or, as was most often the case, despite his lack of pace or ability to get forward in either of the fullback slots whenever some other player was unavailable. But as the years went by Liverpool either bought in or brought through players better suited to those roles.
All this changed however with the arrival at Anfield by Rafa Benitez. The Spanish manager gave Carragher an extended run at centre half, the position that probably suits him best, alongside Sammy Hyypia and he flourished there becoming a key part of the Liverpool side that won the 2005 Champions League (disregarding the fact that he was part of a defence that conceded 3 first half goals in that match).
Today Carragher is widely regarded as one of the finest centre halves in the Premiership. He may lack the class or composure of a Rio Ferdinand or a Jonathan Woodgate but he has all the attributes of a typical English defender. Most importantly he has retained the qualities that made him such a useful squad player in his pre-stardom days; he's the type of footballer that, if one had to, you'd choose to go into war with. He's still hugely committed to and willing to put his body on the line for whatever side he's in rather than resting on his laurels as one of the first names on the team sheet and this bravery and will to win means that apart from Steven Gerrard he's probably the second most important player at his club.
39. Arjen Robben (Chelsea) 66 points
Daniel Wilcox: When you think of Arjen Robben, you think of pace, something that this player possess unlimited amounts of. While he won't score as many goals as other wingers in English football (*cough*Ronaldo*cough*) he was a vital part of Chelsea's back to back title success from 2004-2006. His dribbling ability has put many defenders on the back foot and created countless chances for goal scoring for his team mates. At 23, the future is certainly bright for the Netherlands winger, but so far his career has been plagued with injury. If he can keep fit, Arjen Robben can easily be one of the best in years to come.
38. Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham) 66 points
Colin Pigeau: If there's one word that describes Berba, it's "smooth". Just watch him and you'll see how effortlessly, how casually it all comes to him.
While Arsenal have been on a years-long search for the "new Dennis Bergkamp", it may be the white side of North London who have found him. Berba is so good at holding play up for just a few seconds, and then making a pass so cheeky that you could have never seen it coming.
That's his gift: he puts his body in such a position that he disarms the defender into thinking he can only go in such a direction, only to use his Bulgarian sneakiness to completely hamstring his dupe.
He's a scorer and provider, and his game is all based on smooth, easy motions with dynamite skill and precision. Sounds like a certain #10.
37. Luca Toni (Bayern Munich) 66 points
Tim O'Sullivan: A very late peak for the former Fiorentina man, but its better late than never, and Luca Toni's progression has seen him become one of the most respected centre forwards in Europe.
What he lacks in pace, he makes up with in predatory movement and a powerful leap. Ribery and Ze Roberto will be whipping those crosses in all game long, throughout next season, as Klose and Toni will be ready to pounce with deadly attacking headers.
He was the first Italian to score thirty in a league season for years, throughout the 2005/2006 campaign, and that made him a prominent feature in the Azzuri's World Cup winning squad. Twelve months later and he's moved to the new-look Bayern Munich, to form a partnership with Klose that has the potential to be the most feared in Europe.
36. Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) 68 points
Taareq Elsokari: The most expensive defender in the world. When Rio is on he is on and there are not too many better. His pace, reading of the game and his ability to play the ball out of defence is something that is admired by many in the game. His performances in the last two World Cups were praised with his 2002 contribution making him the most expensive defender in the history of the game.
His impact on the Utd defence last season was so good that many have called it his best since being at the club. He eliminated many of the problems which have dogged his career so far such as lapses in concentration and showing more passion and emotion on the pitch. If he further improves next season then Utd and England will only get better and stronger.
35. Claude Makalele (Chelsea) 69 points
Colin Pigeau: Makelele is so good, that not only did his departure signal the demise of Real Madrid for a few years, he's revolutionised the way midfields are set up. It seems now that no team can do without a player that you aren't supposed to notice - if you listen to pundits - because they're just cleaning up messes.
Makelele is a modern day sweeper; it's just that the sweeper now sits in front of the defence instead of behind. There are many imitators, but Makelele is the real deal. Best defensive midfielder. Period. Without him, Chelsea may not have won two Premierships in a row.
34. Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal) 73 points
Ian Wright: For the life of me I can't remember how many "new Maradona"s there has been since the first one turned into a coked up blimp but in terms of early career paths of the one who came before Lionel Messi but after Javier Saviola bore a striking resemblance to that of Argentina's greatest ever player. Like Maradona Riquelme began his career at Boca Juniors before transferring to Barcelona. But that's where the similarities ended. Whereas Maradona thrived at the camp nou and moved on to become the greatest player in the word Riquelme floundered. He made 30 appearances in his season in the Catalan capital but many of those saw him play out of position on the wing and he only scored 3 goals.
Salvation came in the form of a move to Villarreal in 2003. Away from the harsh spotlight of playing for Barca Riquelme was able to return to his favoured central role and he flourished, helping Villareal to a Champions League semi final. This club form resulted in him becoming the fulcrum of Argentina's World Cup side last year.
Riquelme is far from the typical South American attacking midfielder. He doesn't posses with the pace or ability to beat players of compatriots like Messi or Pablo Aimer nor the sheer flair of Kaka' or Ronaldinho. He is however blessed with astonishing vision and an ability to weight a pass that's almost unparalleled in today's game. Many of today's attacking midfielders can have quiet games and yet turn a game with a moment of brilliance but Riquelme isn't that sort of percentage player. He can run an entire game, picking passes out to his team mates and almost never giving the ball away. Couple this with his talent at deadball situations and you've got one of the least flashy but most effective attacking players in world football.
33. Luis Figo (Inter Milan) 75 points
Daniel Wilcox: Easily one of the greatest Portuguese football players of all time, Figo has been an integral part of many squads over the years and has won countless honours in the process. The original Golden Boy is predominantly known for his tremendous ability to play well on the wing, helped by his mesmerizing dribbling ability and level of skill.
The former World Player of the Year was a part of the Real Madrid squad dubbed the club of the century and has also had success with Barcelona and Inter Milan, not to mention 32 goals on an International level. Even as his career winds down, Figo is still regarded as one of the best and is a major attribute to the Internazionale and Portugal teams.
32. Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona) 76 points
Ian Wright: My earliest memories of Gianluca Zambrotta are of a workmanlike but unspectacular right sided midfielder who along with Antonio Conte seemingly was one of the A.N. Other's in a Juventus midfield that also include the far more exciting Edgar Davids and Zinedine Zidane. Zambrotta looked good enough to warrant his place in the side but didn't appear to be world class, he was just kind of ordinary. The arrival at Juventus of the more skilful Mauro Camoranessi and his flowing locks could have signalled the end of Zambrotta's time in Turin but he made the unlikely switch to left back and was a revelation.
Even though it's not saying much in the post Paulo Maldini (at his peak)/Roberto Carlos (ditto)/Bixente Lizarazu/Robert Jarni era but before Ashley Cole learned to defend Zambrotta was the best left back in the world. His appetite for hard work and his huge engine means that he's much better suited to playing at fullback then in midfield. He was even more impressive once he switched wings to a more natural right back position for Italy during the World Cup and was head and shoulders the best fullback in the tournament.
31. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) 86 points
Taareq Elsokari: What can you say about Ryan Giggs that hasn't already been said before. A career spanning over fifteen years at the top is something that many in the game aspire to achieve. Even at the "veteran" age of 34 he was a huge influence playing in more games than most at his age play and influencing results with that. He has changed his game from an all action winger to a more patient and intelligent attacking midfielder with the occasional return to the action that helped make his name.
His contribution was recognised as he received a surprise nomination for PFA player of the year. The only thing Giggs lacked in his career was a chance to perform on the highest stage of all the World Cup, that was the biggest shame.
Twenty down…….thirty to go. Numbers 30 to 21 tomorrow.
