Premier League Golden Oldies. Every year, football fans across the country rave about the hottest young talent, and rightly so. However, every year the old guard continue to surprise us all with some breath taking performances. Here are my top 5 golden oldies to look out for over the course of the 2014/15 Premier League season: Frank Lampard (Manchester City). After a wonderful spell at Chelsea, it was thought that Lampard’s move to New York would be the beginning of the end of his career. Certainly no one expected City to make use of their contacts in New York by bringing the England international to the Etihad on loan. On paper it seems a strange move for Lampard – he’s done everything in the English game and risks ruining his incredible relationship with Chelsea supporters. However, it offers him one final crack at the big time and the chance to leave the English on a high. Rio Ferdinand (QPR). After spending his summer on the BBC sofa at the World Cup, as well as a short stint as an EasyJet Pilot, many presumed that Rio would be packing it in and moving over to the media side of the game, as a less insightful but more tolerable version of Robbie Savage. Following on in Anton’s footsteps, Rio will grace Loftus Road this season and although he has lost his pace, his reading of the game is second to none and could prove crucial if the ‘Super Hoops’ are to stand any chance of beating the drop this season. Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur). Arguably the finest American export since Ben and Jerry’s, Tottenham’s substitute keeper is now 42 but still going strong between the sticks when called upon. Having played for a whole host of Premier League teams, every fan knows what to expect from the dependable American – who can even boast about a top flight goal he once scored for Blackburn away at Charlton. Playing second fiddle to Hugo Lloris, Friedel won’t get much game time in any of the major competitions but he is bound to appear at some point and when he does, the Spurs defensive unit will remain as solid as ever. Steve Harper (Hull City). Harper is arguably a relatively unknown quantity in the British game, despite his veteran status. Having spent the best part of a decade warming the bench at Newcastle, the Geordie swapped the black and white stripes for the amber and black ones when the Tigers returned to the top flight. This year Harper will once again start the season deputising, for former Rangers star Alan McGregor. Despite this, over the past two seasons, he’s had plenty of game time and displayed traits of a top quality keeper – which begs the question, has his loyalty to the Toon proved detrimental to his career? With the Tigers embarking on their first European campaign this year, there will be plenty of chances for Harper to get between the sticks and showcase his undoubted talent to the watching masses once more. John Terry (Chelsea). Say what you like about JT – believe me, I have – but his loyalty to the Chelsea blue is admirable. As is his never say die attitude, I mean, who can forget the headlong dive against Slovenia at World Cup 2010? With David Luiz leaving the Bridge over the summer and not being truly replaced, the former England captain is going to be crucial to their title hopes. There can be questions about his mobility on the pitch nowadays, but it wasn’t exactly there anyway. The bravery that made him a fans favourite when he first started out is still there, as is his football brain. With goals being at a premium last year, a tight defence will be imperative to Chelsea’s title hopes, and with John Terry marshalling it, who knows what will happen this season.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 07:23:22 +0000
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