Some of the best players in the world have plied their trade in the Premier League since the turn of the 21st Century.
These stars have lit up England’s top-flight domestic league and delighted millions of paying spectators - as well as the multi-millions watching on television worldwide.
But have you ever wondered who would make it into a Premier League Dream XI, featuring the best players in each position since 2000?
Well, wonder no more. This is the Premier League’s Team of the 21st Century.
Scroll through our selections - and don’t forget to have your say in the comments’ section below.
Chelsea paid just £7m to bring Czech Republic international Petr Cech to Stamford Bridge in 2004, which must rank as one of the best value-for-money deals in Premier League history.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been brilliantly consistent over the last decade, and subsequently pips the likes of Edwin van der Sar and Shay Given to the No. 1 jersey in this team.
Former England international Gary Neville may have struggled with injuries during the latter stages of his illustrious career, but there has been no better Premier League right-back over the last 14 years than the Manchester United hero.
Neville, who is now a member of the England coaching staff and a widely-respected pundit on Sky Sports, hung up his boots in 2011 after making 602 appearances for the Red Devils.
These stars have lit up England’s top-flight domestic league and delighted millions of paying spectators - as well as the multi-millions watching on television worldwide.
But have you ever wondered who would make it into a Premier League Dream XI, featuring the best players in each position since 2000?
Well, wonder no more. This is the Premier League’s Team of the 21st Century.
Scroll through our selections - and don’t forget to have your say in the comments’ section below.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech | Chelsea
Chelsea paid just £7m to bring Czech Republic international Petr Cech to Stamford Bridge in 2004, which must rank as one of the best value-for-money deals in Premier League history.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been brilliantly consistent over the last decade, and subsequently pips the likes of Edwin van der Sar and Shay Given to the No. 1 jersey in this team.
Right-back: Gary Neville | Man United
Former England international Gary Neville may have struggled with injuries during the latter stages of his illustrious career, but there has been no better Premier League right-back over the last 14 years than the Manchester United hero.
Neville, who is now a member of the England coaching staff and a widely-respected pundit on Sky Sports, hung up his boots in 2011 after making 602 appearances for the Red Devils.
Centre-back: John Terry | Chelsea
John Terry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea,
but the rock-solid centre-back has been an unbelievable asset for
Chelsea since the turn of the century.
The ex-England captain will end his career as the most outstanding skipper in Chelsea’s history, having won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, five FA Cups, the Europa League and, of course, the Champions League.
The ex-England captain will end his career as the most outstanding skipper in Chelsea’s history, having won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, five FA Cups, the Europa League and, of course, the Champions League.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand | West Ham, Leeds United, Man United
It was very difficult to decide whether
to put Rio Ferdinand or his Manchester United teammate Nemanja Vidic
into the other centre-back spot.
However, it’s the former who gets the nod, due to the fact that he has spent all 14 years of the 21st Century in the Premier League - first with West Ham, then with Leeds, and finally with the Red Devils. Rio is arguably the classiest central defender in Premier League history.
Selecting the final central midfielder in this team wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination.
In terms of natural ability, former Manchester United star Paul Scholes would have been selected. However, on account of his incredible exploits for Liverpool and the fact that he is still a key member of the Reds’ team, Steven Gerrard is picked to line up next to Frank Lampard.
The England international has every chance of ending his career as the best player in Liverpool’s history - yes, even ahead of the legendary Kenny Dalglish - which tells you all you need to know about just how special a player the 33-year-old has been over the years, even though he is still looking to secure his first Premier League winners’ medal.
However, it’s the former who gets the nod, due to the fact that he has spent all 14 years of the 21st Century in the Premier League - first with West Ham, then with Leeds, and finally with the Red Devils. Rio is arguably the classiest central defender in Premier League history.
Left-back: Ashley Cole | Arsenal, Chelsea
There shouldn’t be much debate over this one.
Ashley Cole, who has represented England on 106 occasions since 2001, has been the Premier League’s best left-back, certainly since 2000 and possibly since its inception in 1992.Now 33, Cole appears to be in the autumn of his career, but remains a first-class full-back.
Central-midfielder: Frank Lampard | West Ham, Chelsea
Frank Lampard has been an extraordinary
player for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2001. Who would
have guessed that 12 years later he would go on to become the club’s
all-time top scorer?
The England star has scored a magnificent 145 goals in 423 Premier League matches for the Blues - which, for a central midfielder, is a truly remarkable record.
Chelsea may find it impossible to replace him.
The England star has scored a magnificent 145 goals in 423 Premier League matches for the Blues - which, for a central midfielder, is a truly remarkable record.
Chelsea may find it impossible to replace him.
Central-midfielder: Steven Gerrard | Liverpool
Selecting the final central midfielder in this team wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination.
In terms of natural ability, former Manchester United star Paul Scholes would have been selected. However, on account of his incredible exploits for Liverpool and the fact that he is still a key member of the Reds’ team, Steven Gerrard is picked to line up next to Frank Lampard.
The England international has every chance of ending his career as the best player in Liverpool’s history - yes, even ahead of the legendary Kenny Dalglish - which tells you all you need to know about just how special a player the 33-year-old has been over the years, even though he is still looking to secure his first Premier League winners’ medal.
Left-wing: Ryan Giggs | Man United
Ryan Giggs may not have played as an
out-and-out winger for some time now, but the Manchester United legend
still did enough between 2000 and 2008’ish to justify his spot in this
team.
Still going strong at the age of 40, the former Wales international is nothing short of a freak of nature, who has adapted his game to the role of central midfielder.
An honourable mention must go to Gareth Bale, who Real Madrid made the most expensive footballer in history thanks to his performances with Tottenham between 2007 and 2013.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is arguably the best player in Premier League history, which is why he gets the nod over Chelsea hero Didier Drogba in this XI.
He combined phenomenal skill with his lethal finishing ability, and he scored over 23 goals in every Premier League campaign between 2001/02 and 2005/06.
The former France international even managed to add another Premier League goal to his tally during a brief loan spell with the Gunners in the 2011/12 campaign.
Still going strong at the age of 40, the former Wales international is nothing short of a freak of nature, who has adapted his game to the role of central midfielder.
An honourable mention must go to Gareth Bale, who Real Madrid made the most expensive footballer in history thanks to his performances with Tottenham between 2007 and 2013.
Striker: Thierry Henry | Arsenal
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is arguably the best player in Premier League history, which is why he gets the nod over Chelsea hero Didier Drogba in this XI.
He combined phenomenal skill with his lethal finishing ability, and he scored over 23 goals in every Premier League campaign between 2001/02 and 2005/06.
The former France international even managed to add another Premier League goal to his tally during a brief loan spell with the Gunners in the 2011/12 campaign.
Striker: Wayne Rooney | Everton, Man United
Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene with Everton in 2002 and continues scoring goals on a regular basis to this very day.
Since joining Manchester United in 2004, the England striker has scored over double figures in every Premier League campaign, and provided countless assists during that time.
At this rate, the 28-year-old is almost guaranteed to become the top goalscorer in the histories of both Manchester United and England.
Since joining Manchester United in 2004, the England striker has scored over double figures in every Premier League campaign, and provided countless assists during that time.
At this rate, the 28-year-old is almost guaranteed to become the top goalscorer in the histories of both Manchester United and England.
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