GOAL attempts the impossible by ranking the finest footballers to grace the English top flight since 2000

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has backed Frank Lampard for a third managerial stint at Chelsea as pressure mounts on current boss Liam Rosenior. The former Chelsea midfielder has revitalised his coaching reputation in the Championship, leading Coventry City toward a long-awaited Premier League return. Butt believes Lampard’s evolution as a coach makes him the ideal candidate to steady the ship at Stamford Bridge.

Kyle Walker has ended his long and successful career with England, during which he earned 96 caps and played in five major tournaments. The veteran defender, who played in two European Championship finals, has now named the five best players he played with for the Three Lions. Walker chose a list that shows how well things have gone in the modern era under Gareth Southgate, even though he played with members of the "Golden Generation".

Frank Lampard and Coventry City have been warned that it could be a “disaster” if they fail to secure automatic promotion into the Premier League this season, given how dominant they have been in the Championship at times. Sky Blues legend Gary McAllister has told GOAL why a “big decision” in the dugout is paying off for a club that has been out of the top-flight for 25 years.

Enzo Fernandez has been advised to ignore any Frank Lampard comparisons at Chelsea and focus on “dominating” games in his own way. Ex-Blues star Frank Sinclair has told GOAL why it would be foolish for the World Cup-winning Argentine at Stamford Bridge to try and model his game on a great of the past - as those exploits will never be replicated.