Top 50: Premier League players (25-1)

25. Rio Ferdinand (West Ham 1996-2000, 127 apps, 2 goals; Leeds 2000-02, 54 apps, 2 goals; Manchester United 2002-present, 240 apps, 6 goals; Premier League titles: 5)

Ferdinand became the most expensive British footballer of all-time when he transferred to Manchester United in 2002, and he has more than lived up to that billing. There have been low points, for instance his eight month ban for missing a drugs test in 2004 and his recent battles with injury, but on the pitch he has been an excellent defender for United.

His talent was obvious in his early days at West Ham and Leeds, but it has been at Old Trafford where he has truly blossomed. He has won five league titles and a Champions League - he captained the Red Devils to victory against Chelsea in Moscow - during his time there and always performed admirably, with his reading of the game and defensive skills making him one of the best defenders in the world when fully fit.

24. Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United 2006-present, 161 apps, 14 goals; Premier League titles: 4)

The Serbian rock has been a fantastic player for Manchester United for the last five-and-a-half-years and captained the side to the title last year. Defender Vidic very rarely makes mistakes and is a colossus at the back for United, always there to be called upon.

When he is off-form, he can be woeful (for example once or twice against Liverpool and Fernando Torres), but the vast majority of the time he is an unmovable object at the back and a defender attackers must hate playing against. He has twice won the Barclays Player of the Year award and he often scores crucial goals, similar to former United defenders Bruce and Pallister. His goal against Chelsea last season all but secured the title.

23. Ian Wright (Arsenal 1992-98, 191 apps, 104 goals; West Ham 1998-99, 22 games, 9 goals; Premier League titles: 1)

Wright is an Arsenal legend and his record of 113 goals in 213 games is the fifth-best strike rate in Premier League history. It looked like the title had eluded him, though, but Arsenal won the league in Wright's last season to put the cap on a wonderful career there.

Wright was one of the Premier League's natural goalscorers and he is still revered among Arsenal fans, who revelled as he broke their goalscoring record (although Thierry Henry has since surpassed it). It was a fairytale story for Wright, as he joined Arsenal aged 28 and must have thought he would never get the chance to reach the top of the game after coming from non-league. He always wore his heart on his sleeve, putting in tremendous amounts of effort for the club, and will forever be remembered by Arsenal fans for his contribution to their club.

22. Robbie Fowler (Liverpool 1993-2001, 236 apps, 120 goals; Leeds 2001-03, 30 apps, 14 goals; Manchester City 2003-06, 80 apps, 21 goals; Liverpool 2006-07, 30 apps, 8 goals; Blackburn 2008, 3 apps, 0 goals; Premier League titles: 0)

Fowler broke into the Liverpool team aged 18 and, similarly to Michael Owen, was a prolific goalscorer almost immediately. By his 21st birthday, he had broken the 20-goal barrier for a Premier League season twice - a feat Owen never achieved - while he had also scored the fastest Premier League hat-trick, against Arsenal, taking four minutes 33 seconds.

Popularly known as 'God' among Liverpool fans, Fowler is the fourth highest scorer in Premier League history and he returned for a second spell at Anfield after stints at Leeds and Manchester City. He struggled from his late-20s onwards with form and fitness and was involved in a number of controversial incidents, on and off the field, but he will always be remembered as a legend at Anfield.

21. Didier Drogba (Chelsea 2004-present, 202 apps, 95 goals; Premier League titles: 3)

Drogba is the ultimate modern-day striker: tall, strong, fast, skilful and capable of scoring 20+ goals a season. His time at Chelsea started shakily, with many doubting he was good enough despite the side winning the league, but he has well and truly turned those critics around now.

He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2006/07 and 2009/10 - scoring 29 goals in the latter campaign - and became a colossus-like figure and the yardstick for good strikers. For many years now we have been promised the next young striker coming through is the 'new Drogba', but so far no-one has got near his standards. Drogba is criticised often for going to ground too easily and throwing tantrums, but on footballing achievements alone he is one of the best strikers the Premier League has seen.

20. Gary Neville (Manchester United 1994-2011, 400 appearances, 5 goals; Premier League titles: 8)

Right-back Neville was perhaps not the most naturally gifted player to come through the Manchester United academy in the 90s but he more than made up for that in effort and application. He was a tremendous servant for the club - even if some of his views were distinctly one-eyed - and it was the presence of individuals like him that was so important to United's prolonged success. He may not have been the most popular player among opposition fans - particularly Liverpool's - but he was loved at Old Trafford.

Neville was extremely consistent throughout his spell with the Red Devils and manager Sir Alex Ferguson was always extremely grateful for his contribution, which was at times overlooked by observers. Neville is probably the best and most consistent right-back in Premier League history and showed tremendous strength of character to recover from a career-threatening injury. He is also fifth on Manchester United's all-time appearance list and is recognised as one of their best ever servants. Neville retired midway through last season.

19. Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea 1996-2003, 229 apps, 59 goals; Premier League titles: 0)

The little Italian magician is often regarded as one of Chelsea's best-ever players, and it is a pity his prime years were before Roman Abramovich came in as he deserved to win the title for his contribution to the club.

The playmaker won the Football Writers' Player of the Year award for 1996/97 - his debut season - which was a  remarkable achievement given many of his compatriots have struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Zola embraced English football and English football embraced him, with his skill, flair and talent lighting up the Premier League for seven glorious seasons. A true gem of a player.

18. Matt Le Tissier (Southampton 1992-2002, 270 apps, 101 goals; Premier League titles: 0)

Le Tissier may not have always been seen to put in maximum effort but he more than made up for that with his talent, scoring numerous outrageous goals during his career. He was a true maverick who could potentially have played for any club he wanted, but stayed loyal to Southampton and so limited his chances with England.

The midfielder single-handedly kept the Saints in the Premier League throughout his career and it is no coincidence they were relegated not long after his retirement. 'Le God' had a remarkable penalty record of 48 conversions from 49 attempts and consistently reached double figures for goals in a season, with his strikes regularly nominated for goals of the season awards. It is fitting Le Tissier scored the final goal at the Dell and perhaps the biggest tribute has been paid to him by Xavi, who named him as a childhood inspiration who could "dribble past seven or eight players but without speed. For me he was sensational." Le Tissier will always be a legend on the south coast.

17. Andy Cole (Newcastle 1993-95, 58 apps, 43 goals; Manchester United 1995-2001, 195 apps, 94 goals; Blackburn 2001-04, 83 apps, 27 goals; Fulham 2004-05, 31 games, 12 goals; Manchester City 2005-06, 22 games, 9 goals; Portsmouth 2006-07, 18 games, 3 goals; Sunderland 2007-08, 7 games, 0 goals; Premier League titles: 5)

The second highest scorer in Premier League history with 188 goals, Cole was derided by many for his chance conversion rate but the fact is he was a prolific goalscorer, particularly in his Newcastle days where he earned the nickname 'Goal King Cole' and won the Golden Boot in 1993/94.

Newcastle used him as purely a goalscorer, but at Manchester United he became a more rounded player and played a key part in five of their title wins, forming a formidable partnership with Dwight Yorke. Cole became a journeyman as his career progressed, taking in spells at Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Sunderland, but his predatory instincts never left him and he ought to have won more caps for England.

16. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool 1998-present, 387 apps, 84 goals; Premier League titles: 0)

Gerrard is the ultimate modern-day player who is seemingly good at everything and his presence has driven Liverpool on over the years, particularly in the 2005 Champions League final and 2006 FA Cup final. A Premier League winner's medal has so far evaded him and he knows time is running out for him to reach that goal, but he deserves to win a title for the career he has had.

The Liverpool skipper is a great tackler and also scores plenty of goals - many of them spectacular - from midfield, winning the PFA Player of the Year award in 2005/06 and Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2008/09 for his efforts. He twice almost moved to Chelsea but has remained loyal to his home town club and will go down as one of Liverpool's all-time greats, even if he never wins the league.

15. John Terry (Chelsea 1998-present, 342 apps, 22 goals; Premier League titles: 3)

There is a banner draped over the Matthew Harding stand at Stamford Bridge reading "JT: Captain, Leader, Legend" and that is an indication of the impact John Terry has made at Chelsea since breaking through the youth ranks. Always earmarked as a captain of the future, Terry has innate leadership skills and is never afraid to put his body on the line. He is one of the bravest defenders to ever play the game.

Terry captained Chelsea to their first league title in 50 years and has followed that up by winning two more league titles. He is Mr Chelsea and won the PFA Player of the Year award in 2004/05, while at 30 he should still have plenty of years left at the highest level. Terry may not be blessed with great pace but he has more than made up for that over the years with his aerial prowess, passion and ability to pop up with key goals. He may not be well liked for certain episodes off the pitch but on it, no-one can argue with his achievements for Chelsea.

14. Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal 1995-2006, 315 apps, 87 goals; Premier League titles: 3)

'The Iceman' was signed by Bruce Rioch for Arsenal in 1995 and helped transform Arsenal's "boring, boring" reputation into the 'Beautiful football' team they are seen as today. A striker with superb technique, Bergkamp set up more goals than he scored and when he did find the net, the goals tended to be spectacular (the most memorable a fantastic goal against Newcastle in 2002 and a sensational hat-trick at Leicester in 1997).

Under Arsene Wenger, the Dutchman flourished and won both the PFA Player of the Year award and the Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1997/98, when Arsenal won the title. With an eye for the killer pass - emphasised by his assists statistics -  Bergkamp will be remembered as one of the most creative and technically gifted players in the Gunners' history, while his genius will never be forgotten by Arsenal fans or indeed football supporters in general. He won three Premier League titles during his time at Highbury and left to retire in 2006. Arsenal haven't won a trophy since.

13. David Beckham (Manchester United 1995-2003, 265 apps, 62 goals; Premier League titles: 6)

Beckham was the man who could do it all: he was the best crosser in the game, deadly from set pieces and popped up with crucial goals to drag Manchester United out of tricky situations. He may have lacked pace, but his vision more than made up for that and his contribution from the right wing was undoubtedly the strongest factor in the excellent scoring rates of strikers Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

'Becks' is now seen as more of a celebrity than a footballer but his achievements on the pitch should not be overlooked. He won the Premier League six times with United and was a member of the fabled youth team which broke through at Old Trafford in the 90s. Beckham also scored one of the most remarkable goals in Premier League history, from his own half against Wimbledon, and set up both goals as the Red Devils won the Champions League in 1999. He left for Real Madrid after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003 and has since broken England's outfield appearance record and appeared in America for Los Angeles Galaxy.

12. Frank Lampard (West Ham 1996-2001, 147 apps, 24 goals; Chelsea 2001-present, 344 apps, 115 goals; Premier League titles: 3)

Lampard has been doubted throughout his career and continues to be now, but the statistics show he is the highest goalscoring midfield player in Premier League history and a Chelsea legend. His talent was always clear at West Ham but many felt the £11million fee Chelsea paid for him in 2001 was too steep. It has since turned out to be one of the best bargains in the club's history.

He is Chelsea's third highest goalscorer of all-time while he is also second on the all-time Premier League assists table. His consistency - he played 164 consecutive times in the Premier League between 2001 and 2005 and is fifth on the all-time Premier League appearances list - has made him one of the best midfielders of his generation and he continues to produce the goods now at 33 years of age. Lampard's trademark is spectacular long range goals and late bursts into the box, and he was crucial in all three of Chelsea's Premier League title wins, particularly the 2004/05 triumph where he picked up the Football Writers' Player of the Year award. He has consistently broken the 20 goal barrier for a season during his time at Stamford Bridge and he will feel confident of becoming the club's all-time leading goalscorer as he is currently just 32 off Bobby Tambling.

11. Wayne Rooney (Everton 2002-04, 67 apps, 15 goals; Manchester United 2004-present, 217 apps, 102 goals; Premier League titles: 4)

It seems like just yesterday that Rooney announced his arrival as a 16-year-old with a stunning winner against Arsenal, but it is now nine years ago and the forward has made full use of his potential since then. He left boyhood club Everton in acrimonious circumstances in 2004 but has went on to have success after success with Manchester United and is now a true world-class performer.

Rooney was never thought of during his early days as a prolific goalscorer, but he scored 26 times in the league in the 2009/10 season, earning both the PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards in the process. His game is certainly not all about goals though, as he has a terrific assists ratio and possesses a magnificent cross-field pass, leading many to state Rooney's long-term position could be in central midfield. Rooney has a tremendous work-rate, is quick and brilliant with both feet, so he really is the all-round player. He already has four Premier League titles under his belt and looks set to stay at United for the majority of his career after signing a new contract when he looked set to leave the club, so Rooney could become one of the legends of the game if he continues in this vein. It's hard to believe he's only 25.

10. Patrick Vieira (Arsenal 1996-2005, 279 apps, 28 goals; Manchester City 2010-11, 28 apps, 3 goals; Premier League titles: 3)

Vieira was pivotal in Arsenal's successes under Arsene Wenger in the late 90s and early 00s as he added some much-needed steel to the midfield. The Frenchman really was a powerhouse and he captained the side during their unbeaten season in 2003/04, with Vieira often the calming influence on the team.

He settled very well at Highbury but his early years there were marred by disciplinary problems, with red cards costing his side in several games. As Vieira's time there progressed however, he improved his discipline tremendously. He was a great tackler who distributed the ball excellently, while he also contributed some vital goals over the years. Vieira seemed to glide around the pitch effortlessly and it was this which made him one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world. Vieira's rivalry with Manchester United counterpart Roy Keane is one of the defining memories of the Premier League era, a classic duel between two warriors of the game. Arsenal have missed Vieira's influence greatly since he left in 2005 - they haven't won a trophy since - and Wenger has found the task of replacing him impossible. Even a disappointing spell at Manchester City at the tail end of his career did not take any gloss off Vieira's status as a true Premier League great.

9. Tony Adams (Arsenal 1992-2002, 255 apps, 12 goals; Premier League titles: 2)

If John Terry is Mr Chelsea and Jamie Carragher is Mr Liverpool, then Tony Adams is certainly Mr Arsenal. Adams was Arsenal captain for 14 years and one of the defining images of the Premier League era was his goal on the final day of the 1997/98 season as the Gunners celebrated their title victory, with Martin Tyler's commentary ("It's Tony Adams, would you believe it?! That sums it all up!") going down in folklore.

Adams had well-publicised problems with alcohol during his career but he should be given credit for how he battled through that and finished off his career in style. Patrick Vieira was a terrific Arsenal captain but Adams was THE Arsenal captain, a truly inspirational player who always put his body on the line. He was a terrific defender - magnificent in the air and in the tackle - as well as a fantastic leader and he will surely go down as one of the greatest players in Arsenal's history. Arsene Wenger called him the "doctor of defence" and Adams picked up four league titles with the Gunners, two of which were before the inception of the Premier League. Adams was a true never-say-die competitor and, as with Vieira, Arsenal could do with a figure like him now.

8. Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United 1992-99, 252 apps, 0 goals; Aston Villa 2001-02, 29 apps, 1 goal; Manchester City 2002-03, 29 apps, 0 goals; Premier League titles: 5)

In the eyes of most Schmeichel is the best Premier League goalkeeper of all-time and it is hard to argue with that. The domineering goalkeeper did not have as much work to do as other 'keepers, with Manchester United so strong in the 90s, but when he was called upon he was simply terrific and like a wall at times.

The Dane was a tremendous shot-stopper as well as a great distributor of the ball, with many of United's counter-attacks coming from a Schmeichel kick or throw out. He is a legend at Manchester United and always will be, with many believing Schmeichel was their player of the year in the Treble-winning campaign of 1998/99. He left United on the ultimate high after winning the Champions League - Schmeichel captained the side in the absence of Roy Keane - but returned to England later with Aston Villa and Manchester City, where he again underlined his greatness before hanging up his gloves. Schmeichel will be remembered as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of football.

7. Roy Keane (Nottingham Forest 1992-93, 40 apps, 6 goals; Manchester United 1993-2005, 326 apps, 33 goals; Premier League titles: 7)

Manchester United's Captain Fantastic marshalled the midfield at Old Trafford for over a decade and Sir Alex Ferguson described the Irishman as the best player he had ever worked with. Keane may have been a flawed character but he was an exceptional footballer who drove his side on and won the Premier League seven times with the Red Devils.

Keane's passion was on show every time he entered the field of play, and that was at its most prominent when he was pitted against arch rival Patrick Vieira. He was also an extremely selfless player - inspiring his side to victory in the 1999 Champions League semi-final when he knew he would be suspended for the final - who seemed to treat the football pitch like a battlefield. While he was a tremendous team player, his individual efforts were recognised in the 1999/2000 season as he scooped both the PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards. Keane certainly was not afraid to speak his mind about team-mates and fans but his hard work meant he was loved on the terraces at Old Trafford. A great box-to-box midfielder, Keane chipped in with his fair share of goals and inspired his side to glory. He set the example for his team-mates to follow and helped set the foundations for the sustained success United have had over the last two decades.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United 2003-09, 196 apps, 84 goals; Premier League titles: 3)

Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford as a precocious 18-year-old talent in 2003 and left as officially the world's best player in an £80million transfer to Real Madrid in 2009. The Portuguese superstar may not have played as many Premier League games as many on this list but he more than deserves his inclusion as he lit up the division and mesmerised fans with his stunning ability.

Ronaldo was inconsistent for the first few years of his Manchester United career and was described as a show pony with no end product, but he shot all his critics down in the 2006/07 season as he inspired United to their first league title in four years. He was dazzling on the wing all season, creating many goals and scoring 17 league goals, earning the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards as well as the Football Writers' award. As brilliant as he was in that season, it was 2007/08 where he became widely recognised as the best player in the world as he tore apart the Premier League and helped United to the Champions League, scoring 31 league goals and 42 in all competitions - winning the Premier League Golden Boot - and retaining his PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards. He won the FIFA Player of the Year award in 2008 and enjoyed another successful campaign in 2008/09 - winning a third Premier League winners' medal - before leaving for Real Madrid. Ronaldo truly was mesmerising in the Premier League - and has continued that in La Liga - and could head, cross, pass, run and finish. There is little he can't do and he has the potential, at 26, to become one of the best players to have ever played the game.

5. Eric Cantona (Leeds 1992, 13 apps, 6 goals; Manchester United 1992-97, 143 apps, 64 goals; Premier League titles: 4)

As with Ronaldo, Cantona did not play as many games as most on this list but the Frenchman's theatrical genius makes him a legend at Manchester United. Still referred to as 'King Eric' by United fans, the mercurial talisman joined the club for just £1.2million from rivals Leeds and that turned out to be possibly the best £1.2million the club has ever spent.

Cantona did invite some negative headlines - none more so than his eight month ban for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan - but the man with the constantly turned up collar was simply sublime on his day. He scored 18 league goals in the 1993/94 season and picked up the PFA Player of the Year award. His comeback from the eight month ban inspired United to the title in 1995/96, as Cantona almost single-handedly wrestled the title away from Newcastle and won the Football Writers' Player of the Year award. Cantona had a unique aura about him thanks to his almost effortless genius and philosophical personality and his name will be spoken of at Old Trafford for decades to come. He inspired all around him to produce their best and without him, Manchester United may not be where they are today as those initial successes in the early years of the Premier League laid the foundations for the dominance which has followed. Cantona was the main figure along with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson in those years and his presence helped United force their way into the elite, winning four league titles in five years during his time there.

4. Paul Scholes (Manchester United 1994-2011, 466 apps, 102 goals; Premier League titles: 10)

Scholes is arguably the most talented English player of his generation and his status is legendary at Old Trafford after retiring this summer. He controlled games and dictated the play for Manchester United for 17 years and his presence is sure to be sorely missed as he is simply irreplaceable. Scholes' glittering career came despite being asthmatic and suffering from a knee condition at the start of his career, and he proved an inspiration for many others in the same situation.

Goals from midfield were a hallmark of Scholes' game, with late runs into the box and long range goals a regular occurrence. His passing accuracy and vision was also unrivalled in the English game, with high-profile individuals like Xavi, Thierry Henry and Sir Bobby Charlton rating Scholes as one of the best players they have ever seen. Some of his play was understated - neat and tidy - but he did an invaluable job for Sir Alex Ferguson after coming through the youth ranks and immediately settled into life as a first-team player. His tackling was often widely criticised but pretty much all other aspects of his game were perfect. Off the pitch, Scholes, in stark contrast to some of his fellow footballers, is quiet and shies away from the limelight and this has made him all the more endearing to the public. His standards on the pitch never dropped and the flame-haired midfielder will go down as one of the most consistent players to ever play in the Premier League. 10 Premier League winners' medals says it all: the like of Scholes will never be seen again.

3. Alan Shearer (Blackburn 1992-96, 138 apps, 112 goals; Newcastle 1996-2006, 303 apps, 148 goals; Premier League titles: 1)

Shearer is the greatest goalscorer in Premier League history with 260 goals, comfortably ahead of any other striker. His strike-rate at Blackburn was simply phenomenal and he was the lynchpin in Kenny Dalglish's team which wrestled the 1994/95 title away from Manchester United. Shearer was the archetypal English number nine: big, strong, a great header, a fantastic finisher, held up the ball, penalty expert, scorer of free-kicks, handy in defence for opposition set-pieces and a leader, while he also scored some spectacular long-range goals and volleys.

He left Blackburn to join hometown club Newcastle in a world record £15million deal in 1996 and although he didn't win any trophies on Tyneside, he became one of the club's best ever players and broke their goalscoring record. Individual honours were regularly picked up by Shearer during his career and he won the PFA Player of the Year award in 1994/95 and 1996/97, the Football Writers' Player of the Year award in 1993/94 and the Premier League Golden Boot three times. His strike-rate - he scored a goal every 1.7 games - is the third best in Premier League history and that is fantastic given the longevity of his career in the division. Shearer also battled back from career-threatening knee injuries, showing tremendous courage and strength of character to return near his best level. He may have been "just a sheet metal worker's son from Gosforth" but he is a legend of the game whose contribution will never be forgotten by Southampton, Blackburn, Newcastle and England fans. Shearer was the striker who could do pretty much anything and had it not been for his loyalty to his hometown club and battles with injuries, he could have won multiple league titles. His career certainly deserved that although the happiness of starring for Newcastle and for "his people" meant more to him than medals.

2. Thierry Henry (Arsenal 1999-2007, 254 apps, 174 goals; Premier League titles: 2)

Alan Shearer may be the top Premier League goalscorer but the player with the best strike-rate was the man who put the "Va Va Voom" into Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, Thierry Henry. With 174 strikes in 254 appearances, the Frenchman averaged a goal every 1.46 games, not bad for someone who came to England primarily as a winger. For much of Henry's time at Highbury and later the Emirates, he was arguably the best player in the world and the memories of watching him play will live long with fans of not only Arsenal but anyone who saw him play.

Henry is perhaps Wenger's biggest success story as he turned the former Juventus failure from a winger to a blistering forward who broke Arsenal's all-time goalscoring record. He was comfortably the best player in the Premier League for most of his spell with the Gunners and he possessed a ferocious shot (with two long-range beauties against Manchester United the evidence), pace to burn and outrageous skill, with many mazy dribbles producing classic goals. Henry also contributed heaps of assists, often drifting over to the left, and was the key player in two Arsenal title triumphs, most notably the unbeaten campaign of 2003/04. He had a magical strike partnership with Dennis Bergkamp at Highbury and one of the Frenchman's real strengths was his coolness when in front of goal. He also scored free-kicks but Henry rarely scored headers. He was often the man doing the crossing for others to score with their head. Henry's stunning contribution to English football did not go unnoticed, as he won the PFA Player of the Year twice, Football Writers' Player of the Year three times and the Golden Boot four times. Henry was a genius with a fantastic football brain and real grace, while he is the third highest Premier League scorer of all-time, making him an all-time great.

1. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United 1992-present, 573 apps, 105 goals; Premier League titles: 12)

The Welsh wizard is quite simply a legend at Manchester United and you only need to look at his medal collection to see why. Giggs is the most decorated player in the history of English football, with his honours collection including 12 - yes 12 - Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. As far as the 12 Premier League titles are concerned, only three clubs have won more league championships in their entire history and one of those is Man Utd. Giggs deserves top spot on this list for sheer longevity, commitment and consistency alone but he has also lit up the league with his skills over the last two decades.

Giggs is the only player to have scored in every Premier League season, holds the record for most appearances in the history of both the Premier League and Manchester United, is the Premier League's record assist maker and has contributed over 100 goals in the league. The statistics are staggering and even now, with Giggs at 37, they are continuing to improve. He has been a marauding winger for most of his career and his game was characterised by his blistering pace, sublime skill and mazy runs, with defences often left dazzled by his performances. Giggs has scored some superb solo goals over the years, while his crossing also contributed to his status as one of the finest flying wingers in the world. He may not be the same pacy winger anymore, but he has reinvented himself as a central midfielder and his superb football brain, passing ability and creativity ensures he remains a pivotal part of Sir Alex Ferguson's United. Giggs won the PFA Player of the Year award in 2008/09 - an award as much a tribute to his career as his season - and English football fans continue to ask the same question: What might have been if he was English? Giggs in his pomp on the left wing would have improved England's chances in major tournaments dramatically but it is going to have to go down as something that might have been. Fans should enjoy watching him now as he may not be around too much longer, but he continues to tear opponents apart as he approaches his 38th birthday and it appears he could continue for as long as he wishes. For Manchester United fans, Giggs is and always will be a legend and his achievements in the game mean he thoroughly deserves the title of the best player in the Premier League era.

Source for appearances and goal statistics: premierleague.com
*Stats for Premier League only

Ridiculous Barton release sends Newcastle into turmoil

Joey Barton has been transfer listed and made available on a free by Newcastle

Only Newcastle United could be in this sort of turmoil before a competitive ball has been kicked in anger.

Low morale, disillusioned players and a threadbare squad appear to be just the tip of the iceberg.

And the moronic decision to allow Joey Barton, arguably Newcastle's best player last season, to leave on a free transfer is just the latest in a string of bad calls from the club's board.

All this can be traced back to transfer deadline day in January.

Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias, clearly seeing the pound signs in their eyes, flogged local starlet Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35million, failing to replace him.

The money they received for Carroll was undoubtedly excellent but the knock-on effects are still being felt now.

Jose Enrique and Barton both stalled on new deals while Carroll's close friend Kevin Nolan has left the club.

The off-field influence of the likes of Nolan and Barton appears to have been overlooked

Those players were Newcastle's best performers last season - along with Cheick Tiote and Fabricio Coloccini - but it now appears none of them will be lining up against Arsenal on the opening day.

Enrique is sure to leave after his ill-advised Tweets last week, while Nolan and Carroll have already left and Barton is now sure to follow them.

The heart of a very successful team has been ripped apart and the players left behind are sure to be disillusioned with the whole situation.

Regarding the decision to effectively release Barton, it was nothing short of childish from the board.

It is clear they did not want the Liverpudlian at the club this season, as his Tweets were no worse than Jose Enrique's and the Spaniard will certainly not be let go on a free.

Barton's Tweets were silly, as whatever he thinks of his employers they are still paying his wages, but he is one of the first names on the teamsheet and will be impossible to replace on a shoestring budget.

Barton's impending departure is unlikely to please Newcastle fans

His relationship with the fans, which improved throughout last season, should not be forgotten and those supporters will be enraged to see Barton leave the club.

Barton has stated his desire to stay at the club all summer - unlike Enrique - and he deserved better than this. He has made mistakes in the past but has clearly improved markedly and rectified his problems.

He struggled initially on Tyneside and last season was his only consistent one, but if it wasn't for the likes of Barton last season Newcastle could have been looking ahead to another season in the Championship.

It is hard to see what good the decision to release him does anybody.

Barton certainly doesn't appear to want to leave, while the board will now be forced to cough up cash for a replacement. The board need to come out and speak to explain their decision or they will never gain any respect from supporters.

Presuming Barton is to be replaced, the money used to replace him presumably eats into the striker transfer budget.

Manager Alan Pardew said he wanted just one more new player in yesterday - a striker - but now he is likely to have to make the money he had available for that stretch to two players. In fact, it would not be a surprise to see the club bring no more new players in.

Many have lost respect for Pardew over his perceived lack of power

It is painfully clear the club needs to bring more than just a striker in. Barton and Enrique will need to be replaced, while other positions badly need strengthening.

This whole pre-season has been nothing short of a farce, from fan trouble at Darlington to issues with visas to a doomed tour of America to key players leaving, and it doesn't bode well for the new campaign.

It is characteristic of Newcastle United to get themselves in a mess but even by their standards this is shambolic.

Morale is surely at an all-time low now and it may just be a matter of time before more players express desire to leave.

There is considerable animosity from supporters and players towards Ashley and Llambias, while manager Pardew appears to have little say in transfer dealings and is struggling to keep the respect of the dressing room.

Fans are still not convinced the £35million from the Carroll sale - which Pardew said would be reinvested - has or will be spent and the departure of key players may prove the tipping point for many.

They are seeing Newcastle's squad being dismantled bit by bit, with fans' favourites shown no respect by the board.

The whole saga will not help ticket sales.

It will be interesting to see attendance figures at St James' Park next season.

It may just be that one of the most loyal set of supporters in the land will decide enough is enough.

Cricket the winner after Dhoni's tremendous gesture

Bell was left fuming after originally being given out

MS Dhoni's decision to withdraw his appeal for Ian Bell's dismissal in the second Test today was one of the best acts of sportsmanship in living memory.

Bell was "run out" in astonishing and unlikely circumstances on the last ball before tea on 137 after a sublime innings.

Batting partner Eoin Morgan's shot looked like it had gone for four, with Indian fielder Praveen Kumar seemingly conceding the boundary after fumbling the ball and then ambling to pick it up.

The batsmen ran three, and Bell, thinking it was four and therefore tea, strode up the wicket and towards his dressing room. However, the ball had not actually hit the boundary rope and so India's fielders removed the bails, with Bell well out of his crease and in the laws of the game out.

That led to some confusion and after several minutes of deliberating, the third umpire ruled Bell was out, with the batsman, his team-mates and fans aghast at the decision. It would have been a hugely unsatisfactory way to end a quite phenomenal innings.

Bell claimed the umpire had "called over" and fans booed India off the field, while England players looked at their Indian counterparts with disdain from the balcony.

England's players were clearly disappointed when Bell was given out

The umpires and Indian players then returned to the field after tea to a chorus of boos from the crowd, while England players appeared to be sarcastically applauding them from the dressing room. However, that applause later transpired to be heartfelt.

During the tea break, Dhoni and India withdrew their appeal after conversations with England and the umpires. They didn't have to withdraw it but the fact they did is a victory for cricket, the "gentleman's game".

Within the laws of the game, India would have been well within their rights to uphold their appeal but they ran the risk of staining their reputations had they allowed Bell to be dismissed.

Bell was clearly careless and clumsy not to wait for official confirmation the over was complete, but it was obviously an honest mistake and even the Indian fielders seemed to think it was a four.

One thing is for sure, he will never make a mistake like it again. This was a one-off and a situation which will surely never be replicated.

It would have been easy for Dhoni to accept the wicket because it would have helped his side enormously in the context of the game, but he recognised the significance of the situation. The spirit of the game was at risk and he saved it.

The incident would have been talked about for years but in one act of generosity, Dhoni defused the situation and ensured there was to be no bad blood between the sides.

Dhoni and his team come out of this with great credit

Circumstances certainly helped him, as the tea break allowed him to consult others, think about it and make the correct decision. Had it been at the end of an over halfway through the session, he would have had little time to clear his head.

Even so, most captains would still have upheld their appeal and so Dhoni and India will have gone up in most people's estimations by withdrawing it.

They have had a lot of criticism for their perceived lack of commitment to the series and their refusal to use the Decision Review System (DRS), but this was a tremendous act of sportsmanship to improve their popularity significantly.

This is a great series between two excellent sides and this flashpoint will only help it even further.

It will get people talking about it even more and increase the interest in the series, so this incident will not do any harm at all, especially as the spirit of the game was kept intact.

One thing made abundantly clear by the whole episode though was the need to keep fans in the stadium fully updated with what is going on.

They booed the umpires and India's players back onto the field after the tea break, an act which was extremely embarrassing given the fact India had just reprieved Bell with a magnificent example of sportsmanship, and the fans should have been told about that decision before anybody took to the field. They should be the first to be notified of any major decisions.

England fans showed their displeasure at the original decision

It was a farcical moment, with Dhoni going from pantomime villain to hero in a manner of seconds, and all it would have taken was a small announcement to bring clarity for the paying fans.

The umpires and India, particularly Dhoni, handled the situation excellently though and come out of the incident with an awful lot of credit.

The whole situation could have got out of hand but the correct decision was made in the end, even though India would have been well within their rights to uphold their appeal.

It truly was a one-off which could have became a major incident, so cricket and the spirit of the game is the real winner here.

Dhoni has set an example for his fellow captains and it is an example everybody should follow.

Pietersen proves he is still England's star

Kevin Pietersen's joy at reaching his double hundred was clear to see

Kevin Pietersen has seen his England role overshadowed in recent years by the excellent performances of the likes of Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell.

But his magnificent unbeaten double century against India yesterday proved he is still England's main man.

Cook, Trott and Bell can all be relied upon to score consistent runs, but none of them can take the game away from the opposition in the same way Pietersen does.

He started his innings uncharacteristically watchfully - this was the slowest 50 and subsequent 100 of his Test career - but once he got to 100, and even more so when he got to 150, he stamped all over India and put England well on top.

There were signs of a return to form for Pietersen in the Sri Lanka series, after he made two 50s in the last two Tests, but many were still doubting he would ever return to the magnificent standards he set earlier in his career. They needn't have worried.

Pietersen has so much self-confidence it was inevitable he would come back with a bang.

This is a man who, in his debut Test series, smashed the likes of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne all around the grounds of England, eventually hitting a sensational innings of 158 at The Oval to seal an Ashes series which had the nation gripped.

The likes of Warne marvelled at Pietersen's batting in 2005

A man who was player of the tournament as England won the ICC World T20 in 2010.

A man who, despite a relative lack of form, hit his best Test score of 227 to help win the second Ashes test of 2010/11.

A man who invented the 'switch hit' shot and bullied greats of the game like McGrath, Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Pietersen may not have been in the best of form in recent years - this was his first Test century in England since he was captain in 2008 - but the fact he still averages 49.83 shows just what a high quality batsman he is.

He relishes the big occasions and produced the goods at Lord's when his side needed him.

He took to the crease on Thursday in the most difficult of batting conditions, but he weathered the storm, played himself in and reaped the benefits as his innings progressed.

It's fitting he found his form in the 2000th Test of all-time and in a series England could take the world number one ranking as he is a big game player.

While many top batsmen fail to produce the goods at Lord's, Pietersen has now hit five centuries there - only Graham Gooch and Michael Vaughan have scored more - and loves playing on the hallowed turf.

Pietersen seems to thrive on the pressure and there are not many finer sights in cricket than him in full flow.

Ian Bell is brilliant to watch with his effortless play but the Lord's crowd were treated to vintage Pietersen, bludgeoning the ball all around the home of cricket after reaching his 150.

Pietersen destroyed the Indian attack in the latter part of his innings

He took 216 balls to reach his first 100 but just 110 to reach his second and that is what Pietersen is all about. That is why he is in this side.

He advances down the pitch - taking the lbw out of the equation - intimidates the bowlers and demoralises the fielders.

He can take the game away from you in the blink of an eye and there are not many others in world cricket that can do that.

In England's team, Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior are more than capable of doing it but Pietersen has the statistics to back it up, with three double centuries and seven scores of more than 150 now to his name.

He went from 150 to 202 in just 25 balls at Lord's, passing the 6000 Test runs barrier in the process, and now appears to be back at his imperious best.

Pietersen did have a couple of let-offs though, twice being reprieved by the third umpire.

The first was when he struck the ball to leg slip Rahul Dravid and, despite on field umpire Billy Bowden giving him out, replays proved inconclusive as to whether the ball had hit the ground and so Pietersen was given the benefit of the doubt.

He was then initially given out after MS Dhoni's delivery - the wicketkeeper bowling due to an injury to senior seamer Zaheer Khan - was adjudged to have clipped Pietersen's bat before being caught, but the decision was correctly overturned on review.

Pietersen immediately asked for a review after the umpire adjudged he had hit the ball

Those were just the two slices of luck Pietersen needed and a player of his quality does not need a second invitation.

There will be those who say he has not overcome all his problems overnight - India do not have a left-arm spinner and Zaheer Khan was not able to bowl - but this innings will go a long way towards rebuilding his reputation.

Pietersen was not at his glittering best for most of his innings but the fact he battled through with such determination proves he is back.

In the past, he would have played a loose stroke and got out when things weren't going swimmingly, but there was never a sense that was about to happen at Lord's and that is extremely encouraging.

The reason Pietersen had not had too many centuries of late is he kept giving his wicket away when he appeared set for a big score, but he built this innings magnificently and got what he deserved.

He will have better innings than this in the future, that is for sure, but he will feel extremely satisfied with how he battled with the demons and came out on top.

Regarding the Test match, today will be the crucial day.

England are undoubtedly in the stronger position after declaring on 474-8, but they will need to do fantastically well with the ball to overcome India's star-studded batting line-up.

The likes of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar will not give up their wickets easily and the latter would love to make the 100th 100 of his international career at Lord's, so the likes of James Anderson and Graeme Swann will need to be patient.

Legends of the game like Tendulkar and Dravid will not be easy to dismiss

They will not roll through India like they did Sri Lanka but they should be extremely positive after England's batting performance.

Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior both reached 70 and Pietersen's innings - particularly the latter part - will have given everyone added confidence.

Pietersen is back and boy will England need him if they are to win this series.

He has the X-factor to truly light up England's batting line-up and his renaissance means England are surely the stronger side, with every batsman and every bowler more than capable of making match-winning contributions.

Pietersen is the final piece of the jigsaw and on this evidence, he is still very much one of the best batsmen in the world.

Clarke gets his moment of glory

Darren Clarke used all his experience to seal his first major title

Going into the 140th Open Championship at Royal St George's, there was one Northern Irishman the whole world was seemingly talking about.

He was tipped to win his second major in a row and take his next step on the road to greatness.

But Rory McIlroy was to be overshadowed by another Northern Irishman. Not Graeme McDowell, who won the US Open last year, but Darren Clarke, who must surely have all but given up hope of winning a major.

It is quite incredible that a country the size of Northern Ireland - with an estimated population of 1.8 million - has produced three of the last seven major winners and Clarke's victory was the most unlikely of the three.

He has been a top player for almost 20 years but, at 42, he seemed to be on the slide and very few would have predicted him to break his major duck before the end of his career.

But he played magnificently over the four days at Sandwich to take his place in the history books and lift the Claret Jug. There has surely never been a more deserving or popular winner of the tournament in its 151 year history.

Clarke has always been a hugely popular player, whose career had up to now been defined by two victories in World Golf Championship events, successful appearances for Europe in the Ryder Cup and two near misses at the Open.

He was already a hugely respected figure in the world of golf but crowds have really got behind him since he played - very successfully - in the Ryder Cup of 2006 just six weeks after the death of his wife.

Clarke never let the pressure get to him as he saw off his rivals

Clarke has had a real tough time of it away from the golf course but he has done magnificently to get back to this level and achieve what he believed was his destiny.

He played fantastic golf for the first three days to go into the final round leading, but the way he held his nerve on Sunday was remarkable.

As competitors stumbled out of contention, Clarke just carried on playing excellent links golf and always seemed calm and completely in control of his game.

He is the oldest winner of the Open since 1967 and won the tournament at the 20th attempt, a new record for number of appearances before lifting the Claret Jug.

There is undoubtedly a new guard taking over golf, but Clarke's victory offers hope to all the old stagers who thought their last chance of glory had passed them by.

The likes of Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Ryo Ishikawa and Matteo Manassero will win multiple majors between them over the coming years but it is great to see players like Clarke still giving them a run for their money and still more than capable of beating them.

Can he go on to win more majors? It's doubtful, but this win has put the cherry on the cake of a very successful career which looked like it would fizzle out without a major title.

Clarke is popular among the public not just for how he has overcome life's adversities and not just for the quality of his golf, but also for the fact that most can identify with him.

He likes a drink, enjoys a cigarette here and there and carries a bit of extra weight. He seems down to earth and grateful to be in the position he is in, and so it is natural most fans root for him.

The Open Championship always throws up its fair share of great stories, and one of those here was that of Rickie Fowler.

The future's bright, the future's orange if Fowler is anything to go by

The 22-year-old Californian has always been tipped as a star of the future but his performance at Sandwich - he finished tied for fifth place - has confirmed him as very much a star of now.

His game seems ideally suited to links golf and this week will have filled him with confidence.

He has never won on the US Tour but on this evidence it won't take him long to break that duck.

Fowler seems an extrovert character with his orange clothing but his golf speaks for itself. He seems to do his business with little fuss and his inventive range of shots seem perfect for links golf. He is an Open champion of the future.

As for challengers to Clarke, there were only two men in realistic contention during the final day.

Phil Mickelson launched a real charge and was five-under for his round when he missed an easy par putt on 11. From then on his challenge faded and he eventually finished tied for second, but he should be very pleased with how he played in this championship.

Mickelson has traditionally struggled with links golf

His performance on the front nine on Sunday was simply sublime and some of the best golf seen for many a year, so it was a shame his game escaped him when a first Open title was seemingly within reach.

His struggles with links golf have been well documented but this was by far his best performance in the Open and should give him great confidence for future championships.

Mickelson may be 41 and perhaps approaching the twilight of his career, but he is still a world-class performer and as Clarke has proved, it is possible to win majors in your 40s.

Big-hitting Dustin Johnson was the other contender and he looked set to provide a major challenge for Clarke, but he went out of bounds on 14 - eventually double bogeying the hole - and that marked the end of his chances.

Three realistic chances of winning majors have now slipped away for Johnson

Johnson is clearly an exceptional player who is so long off the tee and a magnificent putter, but he seems to fall apart under pressure when he is close to winning majors.

His meltdown at last year's US Open is well documented and he also could have won the USPGA Championship in the same year, so this is an issue he will need to rectify before it becomes a mental block.

He deserves to win majors as he is a world-class player but unless he can overcome some mental frailties, the same situation will keep arising again and again.

Rory McIlroy couldn't get into contention at Sandwich but it is important fans and pundits do not expect too much too soon.

McIlroy could not reproduce the form which won him the US Open last month

He is a top talent and it is great he already has a major under his belt at just 22, but we shouldn't expect him to waltz away with every tournament.

McIlroy struggled with the weather conditions and many have said he will always struggle on links courses, but in reality that is an over-reaction.

We have a tendency to build people up in this country and then send them crashing down and it is important this does not happen to McIlroy as he has genuine talent and the possibilities for him are potentially endless.

The weather caught out many over the weekend but it provided the ultimate test of a golfer.

Not many birdies were sunk but it still provided a great spectacle and the intrigue never faded.

The stories of the two Toms - Watson and Lewis - encapsulated all that is great about the Open.

Youngster Lewis and veteran Watson provided one of the stories of the week

Two men at opposite ends of their careers, they both enjoyed a hugely satisfying and enjoyable week and go away with some wonderful memories.

It is great to see Watson still enjoying and competing at 61 while 20-year-old Lewis deservedly claimed the Silver Medal for being the best amateur.

Lewis is, remarkably, named after Watson and the duo played the opening two rounds together, so the Englishman should have learned a lot from playing with his hero and will benefit from the experience.

Lewis is a star of the future but for now it is all about Darren Clarke.

No longer the nearly man, no longer the man only known for drinking Guinness, no longer the man who everyone thought had missed his chance of glory.

Clarke deserved a major and never gave up on his dream but, in his heart of hearts, must never have believed it was going to happen when he was 42.

This was his defining moment and he grabbed the opportunity, refusing to be denied.

Everyone likes Clarke. The players, the fans, the caddies, the green-keepers, the sponsors, even those not interested in golf.

There has never been a more popular Open champion.

Why Levy should swallow his pride and sell Modric

Luka Modric has reportedly handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move from Spurs

Loyalty in football is dead, it seems.

Just a year ago, Luka Modric signed a new six-year deal with Tottenham, insisting he had "no interest in going anywhere."

A year on though and the Croatian appears desperate to get out of White Hart Lane and away from the club which gave him his big chance in English football.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has so far kept an unwavering stance on Modric, time and again claiming the midfielder will not be sold, whatever the price.

Manager Harry Redknapp has echoed his chairman's sentiments, but Spurs fans know the likelihood of Modric staying this summer are slim. The club simply cannot afford to keep a player who does not want to be there.

Spurs, and Levy, know that better than anybody. Redknapp perhaps owes his job at Spurs to the Dimitar Berbatov saga.

Berbatov sulked until his eventual move to Manchester United

In the summer of 2008, with persistent speculation on Berbatov's situation and rumours he wanted to leave, the club always insisted he would not be sold.

Manager Juande Ramos was left with a player who became an unsettling influence on those who really wanted to be at the club and the Bulgarian started the season on Spurs' bench.

On transfer deadline day, the club admitted defeat and sold Berbatov to Manchester United but the damage had already been done.

Tottenham had lost their first two games in the league - after being tipped to finish in the top four - and Ramos replaced Berbatov with the clearly inferior Roman Pavlyuchenko.

After Berbatov left, Spurs continued their nightmare start by failing to win in their first eight games and Ramos paid for that with his job.

If Tottenham allow Modric's situation to run past the season's start, they run the real risk of something similar happening again.

Modric clearly doesn't want to be there so what is the point in keeping him?

He is clearly an exceptional player, but it is doubtful Redknapp will be able to get the best out of him unless he is happy and committed to the cause.

Levy has dug himself into a hole by telling fans Modric will not be sold.

Chairman Levy is now in a very difficult situation

It will be difficult for him to change his stance now and sell the Croatian - with his reputation among fans on the line - but he needs to do it. He can't make the same mistakes he made with Berbatov.

As for Modric himself, his desire to leave Tottenham is another example of the growing greed in modern football.

Nothing dramatic has changed in the last year since he signed his bumper six-year deal.

His own brain should have told him that finishing in the top four every year was going to be an extremely difficult task so he should have accepted when he signed the contract that he was at White Hart Lane for the long haul.

If he is made to stay, he will only have himself to blame as if he wasn't fully committed to the club he should never have signed a six-year contract.

Of course, Chelsea's very public interest in him will have been unsettling and a move to Stamford Bridge would present a considerable step forward for Modric, but Spurs deserve better loyalty from him.

When he first came to England, many doubted Modric was strong enough for the Premier League but Tottenham - and particularly Redknapp - gave him his chance and he owes them.

Redknapp deserves greater loyalty from Modric

However, his stance seems as unwavering as Levy's and so we have a stalemate.

Levy is quite prepared to play tough with the playmaker and force him to stay, but in truth that would be detrimental to both Tottenham and Modric so the chairman has to swallow his pride and let his prized asset go.

Modric has jetted off to South Africa with the squad for Spurs' pre-season tour, but he clearly does not want to be there and the saga is not doing anyone any good.

Redknapp would be deeply unhappy if Levy was to do a U-turn but a sale would give him the chance to significantly strengthen his squad, bringing in a star striker and a replacement for Modric.

Levy made massive mistakes with a wantaway Berbatov and he knows what the consequences may be if a deeply unhappy Modric was to start the season with Spurs.

He must accept - through gritted teeth - that loyalty in football is dead and move on from this situation.

Redknapp, too, will look at the fate of his predecessor Ramos and worry a similar situation may await him.

It is better Spurs sell Modric now than on deadline day, with little time to find a suitable replacement and the rest of the squad unsettled.

Fans will be unhappy and Levy will be derided by them, while they will struggle to believe anything he says in the future, but he must do what is right for his club. And that is to sell Modric, now.

Levy may say that "big clubs do not sell their best players", but the biggest clubs rarely have situations like this one. The biggest clubs do not have their star players expressing a desire to leave for a club in the same league.

It may be important for Spurs' image as a club with great ambition if they were to keep Modric, but the potential effects him staying may have on the squad should outweigh that.

Levy cannot run the risk of another sulky Eastern European derailing his club's season.