10 Older Players Who Are Still Getting It Done in the Premier League

Today, especially in the heat of the transfer window, a lot of emphasis is placed on youth and the next up-and-coming superstar. 

Players like Eden Hazard, Hulk and Neymar attract a lot of attention because of their outstanding skills despite their relative youth.

However, there remains the "old guard," the players that, even though they are advancing in age, are still capable of producing that magical moment they produced so often in their youth.

To use a battered old cliche, they are much like a fine wine; they get better with age.

Here's a look at some oldsters in the Premier League that still wow us week in and week out.  

Brad Friedel

At 41-years-old, it continues to amaze many Premier League fans that Brad Friedel can still play consistently in goal for Tottenham. 

Many 41-year-olds I know could barely run a lap around a soccer pitch, much less endure the physical workouts a Premier League keeper goes through week in and week out. 

Friedel has said that, despite rumors of Tottenham signing Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, that he will continue to work hard to keep his No. 1 spot (via the Daily Mail). 

Mark Schwarzer

Mark Schwarzer is another goalkeeper who, at 39 years old, seems to never lose his reflexes even though he's not getting any younger.

The Aussie has been a Premier League mainstay since 1997, first with Middlesbrough, the club with which he first rose to stardom. In 2008, he signed with London club Fulham and has been providing fans with breathtaking saves ever since. 

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has got to be one of the best known footballers in the world, due to his status as a mainstay in the Chelsea XI.

Even though he just turned 34, Lampard is still capable of laser-beam passes and heart-stopping goals. 

He was Exhibit A as to why Andre Villas-Boas should have never messed with the old guard at Chelsea.

When Lampard is on the pitch, Chelsea wins. 

Steven Gerrard

It was apparent how influential Steven Gerrard was to Liverpool last season when he was missing through injury.

There was no drive, no passion, no will to win—all things that Gerrard embodies as a footballer. 

Stevie G is getting on in years and can't be around forever, but until his retirement, expect him to be charging down the center of Anfield with the same drive and gusto he showed as an 18-year-old. 

John Terry

Love him or hate him, you can't deny that John Terry is spectacularly good at what he does. 

He is, and always has been, one of the most bruising center-backs in the league; he never shies away from a challenge and will make you work to get by him—which doesn't happen often. 

Despite his off-field shortcomings, Terry is a leader of men. 

Rio Ferdinand

At 33-years-old, Rio Ferdinand is slowing down a little bit, but I can imagine that opposing offenses are still scared to come up against the tall, menacing center-back.

Back when both of them were healthy, Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were the most feared center-back pairing in the Premier League and were a huge reason Manchester United rarely allowed goals over the past couple seasons.

Plus, he has a pretty interesting Twitter account. 

Park Ji-Sung

If Park Ji-Sung had stayed in Manchester, I'm not sure he would have made this slideshow.

Now that he's moved to QPR, he will probably get loads more playing time that he would have at Manchester United with Shinji Kagawa now wearing red. 

Since Joey Barton will be missing the first 12 games of the new season because of the debacle at the end of last season, the 31-year-old South Korean midfielder with have a chance to play a big role in keeping QPR away from the relegation zone.

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy looks to have finally settled down with his second stint with Liverpool.

Bellamy was a much-needed spark for Liverpool last season when spark was lacking, scoring six goals and racking up three assists (via ESPNSoccernet). 

Too bad his knees are as bad as England's record in shootouts.

Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes looked to be done in the game of football, and football looked to be losing one of its greatest sons.

Then the Ginger Prince returned and showed the world that age is just a number. 

In 17 games last season he managed four goals, but took back his role of midfield maestro—his timelessness shone though enough that Sir Alex offered him another one-year deal, which was accepted.

We get to watch one of the most influential players ever to grace a football pitch for another season.  

Ryan Giggs

Did you really not expect to see Giggsy on a list like this?

With 900-plus appearances for the club that gave him a home, Ryan Giggs could very well go down as one of the greatest Premier League players of all time. 

And he shows no signs of stopping, even at 38 years old. He still looks tireless.

Timeless. Classic. A true legend.