Top ten current Premier League veterans
It is a commonly held belief that wine gets better with age. If we were to apply this belief to the sporting world, then one would find that it holds true as well. The Barclays Premier League provides the best example of this phenomenon.
The 2013/2014 season is filled with veteran players whose contributions to their respective clubs are immeasurable. Paraphrasing Lord Tennyson’s famous poem The Brook, ‘Players may come and players may go, but veterans go on forever’.
Here is a list of players who are 33 years old or above and are still currently plying their trade in the Premier League.
10. Mark Schwarzer
Club: Chelsea FC
Age: 40
The towering Australian goalkeeper is the oldest player on this list. Schwarzer began his professional career at Marconi Stallions at the age of 19. He then went on to play for Dynamo Dresdean and FC Kaiserslauten. He came to prominence after he joined Middlesborough in 1997 where he made a huge impact. He produced several stellar performances for the Teeside club, including a great effort in the 2004 League Cup final that ‘Boro eventually won. He was also part of the squad that reached the UEFA Cup final against Sevilla. While at ‘Boro, Schwarzer became the Premier League’s longest serving foreigner at a single club, eclipsing Dennis Bergkamp’s record for Arsenal.
He subsequently moved to Fulham where he produced some outstanding performances and again featured as the custodian in another UEFA Cup/Europa League final. His impressive displays caught the eye of Arsenal who tried to sign him on multiple occasions but failed to do so. He then moved to Fulham’s West London neighbours Chelsea for the 2013-2014 season. Appearances may be few and far between for the Australian from now on but he still remains a class act.
9. Kevin Phillips
Club: Crystal Palace
Age: 40
He’s one of the ultimate journeymen in English football having represented Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Crystal Palace. The small yet infinitely talented English forward has carved a name for himself. A former Premier League Golden Boot and European Gold Shoe winner, the only Englishman to hold the latter honour it must be mentioned, Phillips has seen and done it all in football.
He won plaudits for his 30-goal season in 1999/2000 and went on to break Sunderland’s post-war goal scoring record the following year. Now, in the twilight of his career, he has a chance for one last hurrah with London club Crystal Palace, managed by the ever effervescent Ian Holloway, as he links up with Chamakh and co.