As the definition of a player who got the absolute most out of themselves, Gareth Barry is a well-regarded former England international. Across his career, he picked up over 50 caps for his country, and was one of the few players in English Premier League history to play over 500 games in the Premier League itself.

Though never regarded as the most skilful player, an excellent engine paired with a tactical knowledge of the game made Barry a formidable force during his years with clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester City.

What made Gareth Barry so special?

A tremendous player with a natural leadership streak, Barry was a player who could be relied upon for his consistency. At both Villa and City, he was a regular mainstay and was consistently considered among the most reliable players in the top-flight. Stamina and fitness was one thing, but Barry was also highly regarded for his ability to play the ball with intelligence, to score key goals, and to offer a presence in the middle of the park when his teams were under the cosh.

Across 53 games for his country and well over 650 league appearances for teams like Everton and West Bromwich Albion, too, Barry was regarded as a top class operator until his retirement in 2020.

What does Gareth Barry do now?

Since retirement, Barry has kept a pretty low profile and has not been seen much around the game. He has made rare inroads into punditry, though has mostly just been out of the public eye since his time as a professional came to an end.

In what is quite a fitting path for a player who simply done the job he was asked every week, Barry looks ready to fulfil a varied, multi-task career after he hung up his playing boots. Expect him to get into coaching at one stage, too.

As arguably the greatest African to play in the Premier League, Didier Drogba was a trailblazer when he first arrived in 2004. Having started late as a professional, he made progress with Le Mans and Guingamp, before making a move to Olympique Marseille. A solitary season that seen him play in the UEFA Cup Final earned him a move to Chelsea, where in an 8-year spell he became one of the best players in club history.

A short spell in China and then Turkey took place, before returning to Chelsea and then finishing his career in the USA. With over 100 caps for The Ivory Coast and 65 goals, he was a prolific marksman who held a close to one-in-two record across his club career.

What made Didier Drogba so special?

His physical gifts were matched with technical quality and tactical understanding. Drogba knew how to get his team back into games with his ability to pick on singular defenders and to work a part of the pitch to utter exhaustion. A big-game scorer, too, Drogba had a wonderful record in derbies, in big games, and in European competition. Arguably his most famous goal came in Munich, when he scored a late equaliser in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final.

A clutch player with an eye for goal unlike few others, Drogba was the ultimate one-man-riot-squad. He was able to build play, finish moves, hold the ball up, get teammates involved, and relieve pressure on his defence – the ultimate modern striker.

What does Didier Drogba do now?

Today, Drogba is heavily involved in bringing peace to his nation. He has played a crucial role in combatting violence in the Ivory Coast, and is keenly involved in charitable acts of kindness. He’s also played a huge role in stabilising his home nation, as well as developing and improving the domestic football scene so that, in the future, there can more Drogba’s.

Signed from Brentford for a club record fee, Aston Villa were seen to be taking a big risk on Ollie Watkins. Despite his physical and technical quality, he was seen as a striker who might struggle to make that next step up into the Premier League. After a debut season that has gone well enough to earn an England call-up, it would be pretty safe to assume that Watkins is now well and truly part of the first-team starting line-up at Villa.

So much so that he could already be on the move in the summer.

What makes Ollie Watkins worth watching?

Most strikers who work as hard as Watkins and compete so well tend to lack goals. His work off the ball and his desire to get teammates involved often sees him derided as a workhorse who lacks finishing quality. However, this could not be any further from the truth; the striker works hard but is a threat in the air and with both feet.

He is a natural finisher who simply has many other assets to bring to the table, ensuring he offers the work rate and finishing prowess expected of an England striker.

Things to improve for Ollie Watkins

Where he could improve would be making better decisions on the break. Villa are a primarily counter attacking team, and Watkins has a habit of straying offside on the break. Several notable attacks have broken down at key moments because Watkins has been too keen to get in behind. Despite having natural pace and power, he often tends to go a little too early.

Therefore, a change in his timing of his runs would almost guarantee that Watkins could become an asset for almost any team in England. His rate of improvement is incredible, and shows no signs of slowing down.

England Breakthrough

Having been selected for the Euros 20024 England team, Watkins frustrations were clear. Having been given very little time on the pitch, his opportunity to make an impact came vs Netherland in the semi finals on 10th July, and it was one he didn’t hang around in taking, scoring a stunner of a goal to put England into the Euros final for the second time in a row. Will we go one better this time?

 

Formerly seen as the next Belgian wonderkid to come through at Anderlecht, Youri Tielemans find it hard to adapt when moving to France. His time with AS Monaco was a relative disappointment, but he has thrived since arriving in England at Leicester City. Now one of the most in-demand central midfielders in the world, Tielemans could be the perfect addition to any first-team in the world.

However, for now, he has become a crucial part in Leicester pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification across consecutive seasons.

What makes Youri Tielemans worth watching?

Capable of scoring in the box and from afar, as well as a keen range of passing, Tielemans is a modern midfielder. He can carry the ball through midfield, drop into spaces, and find teammates with ease. He has a strong passing vision and can easily move the ball with both feet. He is also durable, starting all but one of the 29 Premier League games he could have been involved in so far.

He also scores regularly, with 10 goals across all competitions marking a huge return for a central midfielder. Add in a desire to work back the way, too, and Tielemans is a pretty complete 23-year-old.

Things to improve for Youri Tielemans

While his physicality could definitely improve, he is not shy of getting involved in a tackle. He also has a habit of winning fouls – one way that Leicester could improve this, though, is to win fouls in more dangerous areas. Tielemans has the balance and the ability to draw fouls; improving where fouls are won could be a huge improvement for the youngster.

However, with so much to his game already, the real main missing part is genuine strength and physicality. Given development time, though, that could easily change in the seasons to come.