I've gone for a 4-4-2 formation as I feel it gives me the most freedom in terms of who I can pick, let me know what you think and leave a comment with your own teams if you'd like...
Goalkeeper: SHAY GIVEN - This was a hard one for me as Gray picked Friedel and he's been very consistent over the years. However, I think it's slightly easier to look good as a 'keeper in teams like Blackburn where you have lots of shots to save and he lost his place at Liverpool. By the same token, Cech and Van Der Sar have played at top clubs and won trophies, but since the Hunt incident I don't think Cech's been the same and he gets away with a lot because of his size and Van Der Sar isn't what he once was in my opinion - he's made errors in big games and has benefited from playing behind a super defence. Pepe Reina deserves a mention, but I decided to give it to Shay Given in the end - at the start of the decade Newcastle were challenging for a Champions League spot under the late Sir Bobby Robson and Given shone then, as he also did last season when they struggled and then at Manchester City. I feel that he has the all round package as a goalkeeper as his decision-making is usually very good, he's as athletic a goalkeeper as I've ever seen with great reactions who is confident in taking cross and has good distribution.
Left Back: PATRICE EVRA - I think Evra shades this over Ashley Cole as I think he's been more consistent and is better defensively. There is no doubting Cole's attacking attributes and pace, but I feel Evra has these to match and in addition has improved decision-making with more mental strength. Time and time again I've seen Cole make silly errors like his part in the Michael Essien own goal against Reading which seriously dented Chelsea's title hopes on Boxing Day 2006, his reckless tackle on Alan Hutton in a 4-4 draw at White Hart Lane (he wasn't sent off for this, but he should have been and it again showed his inability to keep his cool) and his part in England's defeat against the Ukraine in our only defeat in qualification in October. Evra came to United at a time where Mourinho was cementing Chelsea's dominance at the summit of English football and has been a revelation, winning 3 Premier League titles and looking for another this time around.
Centre Back: JOHN TERRY - A product of Chelsea's academy system and the rock upon which they have built their success in the Abramovich era. At a time where the game has changed so much in terms of the technical aspect and the influx of a continental style from the arrival of foreigners, Terry remains a no nonsense stereotypical English centre-half. However, at a time in which these players out being phased out of the game at the top level, Terry remains very effective and uses a combination of strength, anticipation and timing to form one of the best central defensive partnerships in world football with Ricardo Carvalho. Terry has captained his side to 2 Premiership titles in addition to a host of other silverware and for this, he was one of the first names in my side.
Centre Back: RIO FERDINAND - Although I think that in more recent years, his partner in crime Nemanja Vidic has been the better of the two in terms of individual performance, Ferdinand has performed at the top of his profession for the entirety of the last decade. He is renowned as a footballing centre back and I struggle to disagree with Andy Gray's selection here. Ferdinand has the whole package really - a steady composure, excellent technique and skill on the ball combined with the raw physical attributes required to succeed. The transfer fees he has commanded at Leeds and Man United just go to show how highly-rated the former West Ham player is by his coaches former and present.
Right Back: GARY NEVILLE - For me this was the weakest position I had to choose from as there haven't really been any alternatives to Neville with longevity at the top level in this area. Yes it could be argued that the likes of Micah Richards and Bakary Sagna are the future, but they haven't really done it on the big stage for a sustained period of time and won honours. In spite of his recent injury problems, Neville has been around for the entire decade and winning trophies for pretty much the whole time as club captain of Manchester United. For these reasons, I really don't see any alternative to the former England right back.
Left Wing: THIERRY HENRY - Ryan Giggs has picked up pretty much every award possible in the last 12 months or so, but I can't help feeling that this is partially out of guilt that he was not presented with such awards during the 90's, during which he was arguably at his peak. Henry on the other hand is capable of playing anywhere across the attack and has really stood out as the best at what he does in the noughties. Blistering pace, exquisite skill, plenty of goals in him and one of the very best players to ever play in this country make him a must-have.
Central Midfield: PATRICK VIEIRA - Another member of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' which went the season unbeaten on their way to lifting the league crown in 2003/4. Big, strong, uncompromising, yet amazingly comfortable on the ball with an eye for goal in addition to his defensive attributes, the Gunners have had a gaping hole in their team ever since he left for Italy. I think this underlines his quality and based on the impact he's had on football over here and the void he seems to have left, he edges it over Roy Keane, who I thought was better in the previous decade like Giggs.
Central Midfield: FRANK LAMPARD - Just edged it over Gerrard for me due to his consistency and trophy collection over the decade. He scores a ridiculous amount of goals for a midfielder, is ever-reliable just like his England central midfield partner, has superb vision and anticipation and always manages to time his runs to perfection. Vieira's physicality combined with Lampard's attacking attributes would provide the perfect balance in my opinion and I don't think there are many who would relish the prospect of lining up against them on a Saturday afternoon!
Right Wing: CRISTIANO RONALDO - Former World Player of the Year, drove Manchester United towards European glory and 3 back-to-back Premiership titles...and all this coming straight after the infamous 'winker' incident at the 2006 World Cup with team-mate Wayne Rooney, who he would form a devastating attacking partnership with. Not the most likeable of players at times, but there's no doubting his brilliance - another of the first names on the teamsheet.
STRIKER: ALAN SHEARER - Broke Jackie Milburn's Newcastle goalscoring record this decade and was one of the best target men I've ever seen along with Drogba. Single-handedly carried Newcastle at times and was a big miss when he retired from international football after Euro 2000. I don't rate his managerial skills, but I couldn't fail to pick the Premier League's record goalscorer. Totally unplayable on his day.
STRIKER: WAYNE ROONEY - Ever since he burst onto the scene that day at Goodison Park where he unleashed a wicked curling shot over David Seaman to send the Everton faithful crazy, he was destined for greatness. It's incredible to think that he's only 24 years old yet he's achieved so much since he emerged onto the scene in 2003. Andy Gray picked Gianfranco Zola, but again I think that Zola was coming to the end of his best days at the start of the noughties whereas Rooney has swept all before him, which makes him my final pick.
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