English Premier League: Ranking the Best Players over 30 Right Now

Out with the old and in with the new.

Some of these Premier League players probably would have been let go or sold if they were playing in the Bundesliga. 

This article will list the best Premier League players aged 30 or over right now. 

"Right now" meaning this season's form, so this list isn't based on reputation or performances in past seasons. 

Ashley Cole, Left-Back, Chelsea, Age: 31

Like Patrice Evra, Ashley Cole has uncharacteristically looked vulnerable in defence. 

Unlike Evra, Cole has been excellent going forward, providing six assists whilst completing 88.1 percent of his passes. 

If Chelsea somehow overcome Napoli in the second leg, Cole's goal-line block could be the defining moment.

He wouldn't have even been on the pitch if not for José Bosingwa pulling a hamstring. 

Bobby Zamora, Centre-Forward, Queens Park Rangers, Age: 31

During the 2008-09 season, Bobby Zamora went through a baron spell of two goals in 35 Premier League games. 

This season, he has already scored five goals and provided five assists.

His selflessness has been Didier Drogba-esque as Zamora has created 30 shots for his teammates.  

Grant Holt, Centre-Forward, Norwich City, Age: 30

Grant Holt is an old-fashioned centre-forward who has managed to overachieve by scoring nine Premier League goals and he's only started 14 games. 

It's admirable that Holt tracks back and puts pressure on opposing defenders, but he has to be one of the worst tacklers in the league—he's made 13 successful tackles to 61 fouls. 

John Terry, Centre-Back, Chelsea, Age: 31

Halfway through the game against Manchester City, John Terry finally had enough and abandoned the high line.

A high line that exploited Terry's lack of pace which was perfectly illustrated during the 5-3 loss to Arsenal. 

Despite the off-field distractions, Terry has led by example on the field, winning 77.8 percent of aerial duels, making a combined 87 tackles and interceptions whilst also blocking 18 shots. 

One senior player André Villas-Boas hasn't alienated (yet) is Terry because the Portuguese manager has defended his captain through thick and thin. 

Knee surgery will rule Terry out for the foreseeable future which will be a devastating loss to Chelsea. 

I couldn't help but notice the irony in the word "respect" on Terry's armband. He certainly didn't respect Anton Ferdinand. 

Heiðar Helguson, Centre-Forward, Queens Park Rangers, Age: 34

Father time is approaching for Heiðar Helguson, yet he jumps like a teenager, because he's won 65 headers. 

Amazing when you consider that he's 34 years old and he's only 5'10". 

His physical presence coupled by his finishing ability has led to eight goals in 13 Premier League starts. 

He had to watch from the stands at the start of the season due to a groin injury and the same injury has ruled him out late January. 

Danny Murphy, Defensive Midfielder, Fulham, Age: 34

Danny Murphy is just a workhorse in midfield as he makes tackles, creates shots and controls the tempo of Fulham's attacks. 

Against Chelsea, he strung a ridiculous 92 passes and I couldn't understand how a so-called tactical genius in André Villas-Boas would not put a man-marker on Murphy. 

Sounds odd putting a man-marker on a defensive midfield right? 

Well, Chris Coleman famously masterminded Fulham's 1-0 win over José Mourinho's Chelsea, by having Steed Malbranque man-mark Claude Makélélé. 

Murphy is a poor man's Makélélé and against Chelsea that day, he was every bit of Makélélé. 

Peter Odemwingie, Centre-Forward, West Bromwich Albion, Age: 30

If only I had included Peter Odemwingie in my fantasy team for the last two weeks because the Nigerian has scored five goals in two games. 

He's on form to reach 15-20 goals for West Bromwich Albion which is priceless considering he only cost £1.5 million. 

I wonder if West Brom would swap Odemwingie for Fernando Torres? 

Ryan Giggs, Centre-Midfielder, Manchester United, Age: 38

Ryan Giggs' off-field indiscretions has forever tainted his image as a role model but it doesn't affect his stature in the game as a footballer. 

Like David Beckham moving into the centre for LA Galaxy, Giggs has moved into the centre for Manchester United. 

A position he's commanded so expertly that it's as if he's played there all his life. 

He's only started nine games but he's provided eight assists, so just imagine how many more assists he would have if he started more games. 

Stilian Petrov, Centre-Midfielder, Aston Villa, Age: 32

Stilian Petrov is Aston Villa's engine room and what really stands out is the 88 interceptions Petrov has accumulated throughout the season. 

Michael Carrick, Centre-Midfielder, Manchester United, Age: 30

There used to be a perception that Michael Carrick didn't offer much defensively, but this season he's made 63 tackles and intercepted the ball 54 times. 

By in large, Carrick plays it safe which has seen him complete 90.4 percent of his passes, but he does spray some Xavi-esque diagonal long balls every now and then. 

Ali Al-Habsi, Goalkeeper, Wigan Athletic, Age: 30

Ali Al-Habsi is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and hopefully most people notice his performances. 

Liverpool supporters certainly respected the Omanian's ability after he had an outrageously good game against the Reds. 

Craig Bellamy, Left Winger, Liverpool, Age: 32

Craig Bellamy has been such a spark for Liverpool and he would play more if not for his knees. 

Stewart "Nothing" Downing has yet to score or provide an assist in the Premier League, whereas Bellamy has scored six goals and provided two assists in eight starts. 

Hopefully for Liverpool supporters, he won't be forced to retire like Dado Pršo who retired at just 32 years of age. 

Scott Parker, Defensive Midfielder, Tottenham Hotspur, Age: 31

The term "running oneself into the ground" is applicable to Scott Parker because how on earth has he managed to win back possession 140 times in 21 Premier League games? 

Surely the fittest and most hard working midfielder in the league. 

An old-school football professional and a great role model. 

Brad Friedel, Goalkeeper, Tottenham Hotspur, Age: 40

Tottenham Hotspur supporters must have their hearts in their mouth every time they watched Heurelho Gomes. 

Now Spurs have a reliable goalkeeper in the ageless Brad Friedel, who could play for another five years. 

Frank Lampard, Attacking Midfielder, Chelsea, Age: 33

Frank Lampard has played well in spite of André Villas-Boas attempting to push the Chelsea legend out of the club. 

It's ridiculous how some Chelsea supporters can advocate for Lampard's benching when he's created 40 shots for his teammates whilst scoring 10 goals and providing five assists. 

He isn't the issue, the issue is Villas-Boas. 

Explaining Notable Omissions

Andrey Arshavin: There's a reason why he's not playing for Arsenal anymore. 

Didier Drogba: Hasn't played that well this season aside from games against Valencia (didn't qualify for UEFA Champions League round of 16), Aston Villa (15th placed) and Bolton Wanderers (19th placed).

Dimitar Berbatov: Narrowly missed the cut because I wanted to give someone like Heiðar Helguson some exposure. 

Dirk Kuyt: Unproductive season. 

Fabricio Coloccini: Recent games against Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers reveal the Coloccini of old. 

Florent Malouda: Useless. Chelsea may as well give Lucas Piazón some starts. 

Gareth Barry: Does a great job for Manchester City but I wanted to recognise players who do the exact job for smaller clubs. 

Jamie Carragher: Warming the benches after several costly mistakes earlier in the season. 

Kolo Touré: I included him in my Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament, but he isn't first choice at Eastlands.

Ledley King: Not many recognise how great he is and what he has had to overcome just to play. Like Berbatov, just narrowly missed the cut.  

Nemanja Vidić: Injured since December and this list is about the best players right now. 

Park Ji-Sung: Part of the rotation but has been okay. 

Patrice Evra: Hasn't been the Evra of old, in fact, is suspect defensively and isn't producing enough offensively. 

Paul Scholes: Still a lovely passer but needs to play more games to be included on this list. 

Rio Ferdinand: In decline. 

Steven Gerrard: Need to see more before I can include him on the list. 

Tomáš Rosický: Hasn't done anything of note this season. 

Additional reading on the worst Chelsea players this season