Just doing a short summary of why I picked the players since I didn't post it in the other thread.
1: Jussi Jaaskelainen - A remarkably long servant to Bolton for 12 years, a rarity in football these days. An excellent shot stopper who has foiled many a striker down the years, he has saved numerous points for a very average Bolton side on many occasions. In Bolton's first season in the Premiership, he was voted goalkeeper of the year, and he helped Bolton to reach the dizzy heights of UEFA Cup spots under Sam Allardyce.
2: Luke Young - He has been an integral part of a Villa side that has rocketed up the league this season, and he provides a balance between attack and defence. A solid full back who won't let you down, he was one of the more standout players under Alan Curbishley's reign at Charlton.
3: Stuart Pearce - A mainstay in Nottingham Forest and England teams in the 90s, he was a driving force for Nottingham Forest's brief renaissance in the Premier League in the mid 90s where they finished third. His 78 caps for England says it all, a vital cog of my team's defence.
4: Marcel Desailly - Joined Chelsea with the influx of other foreigners, and he was their captain as well as a France's World Cup and Euro 2000 winning captain. A brilliant defender in his prime, he slowed down towards the end of his Chelsea career but served them with distinction for 7 years, forming a partnership alongside compatriot Frank Lebeouf.
5: Stephane Henchoz - Although usually it was his partner Sami Hyypia that got more credit, Henchoz was an underrated centre half who helped Liverpool to much success under Gerard Houllier.The partnership was the backbone of the mean defence that Liverpool had, and Liverpool briefly topped the league in 02/03 in November before he got injured. An excellent defender, who was no nonsense in style.
6: Dietmar Hamann - Another unsung hero of the Liverpool team that competed under Houllier, he was essential in sitting in front of the back four and spreading the play to start off Liverpool attacks. Technically excellent, his long range shots were always a threat, including free kicks, contributing important goals for Liverpool. His importance to Liverpool was evident in their Champions League win over Milan.
7: Gianfranco Zola - A true legend of the Premier League, Zola's quality shone through as Chelsea rose from the also rans to challenge for trophies under first Gullit, and then Vialli and Ranieri. He was a magician in many aspects, and led Sir Alex to call him a clever little so and so after tormenting United in the FA Cup. Helped Chelsea to a Champions League spot in his twilight years, and even Abramovich tried to convince him to stay on for one more year, but he was bound by his loyalty to his hometown club of Cagliari.
8: Gus Poyet - He joined Chelsea around the time that Zola and Desailly did, and was as important as them to the team. Had the knack of getting forward and scoring crucial goals, and even at Tottenham he was still able to score goals consistently for a midfielder.
9: David Ginola - One of the best and most exciting wingers the Premiership has ever seen, Ginola played his best football in the free-flowing Newcastle side that led the Premiership by 10 points in January 1996. He joined Spurs where he kept up his level of performances, scoring great goals by cutting inside from the left, most memorably the goal against Barnsley in the FA Cup.
10: Wayne Rooney - One of my favourite players at United now, you know that you will get 100% commitment from him. Capable of scoring important and great goals, he is the focal point of the attack for my team.
11: Juan Sebastian Veron - One of the most contentious picks I'll admit, but in previous posts I have already why I picked him. Excellent player who will turn it on against big sides, he has the quality to unpick defences with a pass out of nowhere.
