These veterans have contributed a great deal to the sport that we all love. With some playing back in the late 00’s all the way through to 2018, these five players have always delivered and are still going as world-class footballers.
From the likes of Ryan Giggs to Gareth Barry, who both have a combined total of almost 1400 appearances in the league, to the very recent ones in the form of James Milner and Leighton Baines, their days in the football are far from over.
4 Leighton Baines – Everton (410 Appearances)
Baines is regarded by many as being one of the most effective English left-backs in the world. With an offensive approach, and having a subtle tactical awareness, Baines has been an asset for Everton for over a decade. His contribution to build-up plays for his team has earned him the crown for being the defender with the most number of assists in the Premier League.
Though his late break in the international scene wasn’t quite the highlight of his career, his remarkable 410 appearances in the league make him one of the most experienced left backs, not just in the league, but in the world as well.
A product of the Wigan Athletic youth program, Baines played a total of five seasons there, featuring in over 80 games. However, his move to Everton proved to be more permanent, as he put down a total of more than 330 appearances for the Toffees.
3 Petr Cech – Arsenal (440 Appearances)
Regarded as one of the most consistent, effective and respected goalkeepers all around the world, the 36-year-old Czech keeper is one of the most decorated stoppers of his generation. With an eye for the ball, and with cat-like reflexes, Cech has drawn comparisons to the likes of Gigi Buffon and Oliver Kahn. A veteran with the Chelsea side, he is one of the keepers to have more than 250 clean sheets for the blues.
The 36-year-old moved to Arsenal back in 2015, breaking his decade-long tenure at the Stamford Bridge. The veteran keeper is easily regarded as one of the most experienced players in the league.
Cech has a combined total of 440 appearances for Arsenal and Chelsea. He currently leads in the number of saves season too, showing that he’s still got it after all this time.
2 James Milner – Liverpool (489 Appearances)
James Milner, to everyone’s surprise, was one of the first signings of the January 2015 transfer window, as he left Manchester City to start a new term at the Anfield. Under the realm of Jurgen Klopp, the English midfielder/ winger/ full-back has been a successful inclusion in Klopp’s armoury. By taking his club all the way to the Champions League finals, Milner has proven himself as one of the most versatile playmakers in the league. With his ability to play at any given position, and with the leadership qualities that the veteran has to offer, Milner, even at the age of 32 keeps his flame alive.
Starting his career at a very young age, James Milner has been an integral member of clubs like Aston Villa, Leeds United and Newcastle, giving a total of 200 appearances for the clubs.
However, his move to the Etihad back in 2010 was the most remarkable in his career. He won two Premier League titles with Manchester City over the course of five seasons.
Milner then moved to Liverpool, where he stands strong as a pillar of the current lineup. Completing 100 appearances for the club, he is one of the old dogs of the ongoing season, obviously, in terms of experience. He now looks forward to the incredible 500 Premier League appearances that will be completed this very season.
1 Jermain Defoe – AFC Bournemouth (493 Appearances)
A recipient of the ‘Order of the British Empire’, Defore is considered as being one of the most consistent and celebrated English strikers of the modern era. With almost 200 goals in all competitions for 5 different Premier League teams, Defoe is now looking forward to setting a milestone by completing 500 appearances in his career. Though the number of injuries he has had in his career as a professional football player is one of the reasons why the former English International has not made the obvious impact.
Best known for his time with the Tottenham Hotspur side back in the mid-2000s, Defoe has been a real deal for the teams that he has played with.
Passing on his expertise to the next generation of footballers, Jermain Defoe is one of the most widely known faces in the football world. His record-breaking 500, however, is a long time coming.