10 Old Players Who Still Get It Done in the English Premier League

The world of football is blessed with some talented young players.

Lionel Messi is 25, Eden Hazard is 21 and Neymar is just 20 years old, and we're therefore likely to hear their names repeated around the world for the next 10 or so years.

However, despite the abundance of young talent around the world, there are still the old players who manage to get it done and compete at the highest level.

The veterans of world football often show their younger counterparts up and blow us away with their skill, talent and athleticism in spite of their age.

The English Premier League currently boasts several old players who are more than capable of mixing it with the best in Europe and competing at the highest level. Read on to see the top 10 old players that still get the job done in the English Premier League.

One note before we begin—old, for this discussion anyway, refers to a player of the age of 30. Sorry if that's you, but for a 21-year-old, 30 seems like an eternity away.

Let's take a look at the top 10 old players who will get the job done in the EPL this season.

Ryan Giggs, Manchester United

Age: 38 years old

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has been at Old Trafford what seems like forever, and that's because it really has been, but the 38-year-old still manages to get the job done for the Red Devils whenever he is on the pitch.

Giggs finished third in assists for United last season, behind Antonio Valencia and Nani, who both had plenty more minutes than he did.

His recent captaincy and strong showing of Great Britain shows that he still has what it takes to compete on the international stage, and with no plans of retiring (via The Daily Mail), we could still see Giggs at Old Trafford for a little longer yet.

Frank Lampard, Chelsea

Age: 34 years old

Frank Lampard is the heart and soul of Chelsea and continues to excel throughout the English Premier League for the Blues.

The 34-year-old midfielder finished with the second highest average match rating for Chelsea last season and also ranked in the top 20 players right across the Champions League—leading the team in goals and third in assists for the season.

And whilst there's been rumors about a possible departure from Lampard over the summer transfer window, you can't see Chelsea selling off a player who has been arguably their most consistent achiever in recent history.

A true champion of the club and of the game.

Peter Crouch, Stoke City

Age: 31 years old

It would have been interesting to see how Stoke City would have gone last season without Peter Crouch—their go-to forward and best player of the season.

Crouch—despite everything in his physical appearance stating otherwise—is a proven performer of the English Premier League and continues to do so after breaking into his 30s.

He's the club's leading goal scorer, fourth in assists and when a player can score goals like this, you know they've still got what it takes.

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool

Age: 32 years old

Steven Gerrard, like Lampard, is the heart and soul of Liverpool's midfield and his influence on their squad is currently second to none.

After finishing the previous EPL season in the top three for goals and top four for assists for Liverpool, Gerrard once again will continue on at Anfield and will no doubt pick up where he left off last season.

Still a tough, fierce competitor throughout midfield and deadly in front of goal, Gerrard can definitely get the job done for the Reds this season.

Tim Howard, Everton

Age: 33 years old

American goalkeeper Tim Howard continues to prove that he is a valuable player for Everton in the English Premier League—ranking eighth in clean sheets.

The 33-year-old conceded just 40 goals in the Premier League last season—better than Tim Krul, Wojciech Szczesny, Michael Vorm and Brad Friedel in terms of goals conceded per game.

For Everton to remain competitive with the top sides in the EPL this season, they'll need Howard to be on top of his game and for his reflexes to be as good as ever. 

Paul Scholes, Manchester United

Age: 37 years old

Paul Scholes' importance to Manchester United was evident from the moment that the Red Devils pleaded with him to come out of retirement and save their season.

Scholes did just that and almost brought United within their 20th Premier League title—something he'll be looking to do again this year.

As far as midfield generals go, Scholes is right up there, and still knows how to find the back of the net when his side needs it most.

The United midfielder is definitely still able to mix it with the best and will highlight just how well he can get the job done throughout the upcoming season.

Patrice Evra, Manchester United

Age: 31 years old

Manchester United's vice-captain Patrice Evra can still get it done in the English Premier League and is a player that I'd pick in an instant for United.

The French international's passion and determination hasn't deteriorated over the years, and with fellow veterans in defense Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, he has made a name for himself at Old Trafford as a very strong and complete defender.

And if you're not convinced as to just how good Evra can be, put him in front of Luis Suarez and tell him to play.

He'll show you.

Gareth Barry, Manchester City

Age: 31 years old

Overrated? Perhaps, but Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is still one of those older players that you can go to and know that the job is going to get done.

His defensive help is of particular importance to the Citizens—ranking top three in both tackles and interceptions last season—and proving why he is an automatic starter in Roberto Mancin's midfield.

Once he completely recovers from his abdomen injury, expect Barry to have another fine season for the current Premier League champions.

Brad Friedel, Tottenham Hotspur

Age: 41 years old

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel is easily the oldest player in the English Premier League after breaking into his 40s last year, but he still shows no signs of slowing down.

Friedel is still more than capable of playing for a top Premier League side such as Tottenham and his ability to read the game and make instinctive decisions continues to hold him in great stead.

Spurs may well look to sign another young goalkeeper during the summer transfer window, but if not, expect Friedel to be a dominant force once again—potentially building on the 14 clean sheets he earned last season.

John Terry, Chelsea

Age: 31 years old

Wrapping up our list of old players who can still get the job done in the Premier League is John Terry, who is almost an automatic selection for this list.

The Chelsea defender and England international has not been without his controversies—both on and off the pitch—but there is little doubting his ability and strength at the back for the Blues.

Terry picked up a handy six goals last season as well as ranking highly in both tackles and interceptions and will continue to fight and perform throughout the upcoming English Premier League season.

After re-tasting success with the Blues in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League season, expect the Chelsea defender to strive for more this year—proving that he still has what it takes to get the job done in the process.

Anybody you disagreed with or would liked to have seen on the list?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre

Statistics courtesy of www.whoscored.com