Jaap Stam
It was one of the ironies of the last Premiership season that relegated Sheffield Wednesday could have had the player who was again the lynchpin in the defence of champions Manchester United.
While the Owls may have turned down Stam after a trial earlier in his career, most clubs would now give almost anything to have the giant Dutchman at the centre of their defence.
With a rare combination of speed, strength and ball-playing ability, Stam has recovered from an uncertain start in France 98 to cement his place at the centre of the Dutch defence.
And if Frank Rijkaard decides to go with a sweeper, Stam will be first choice for the libero's role.
United's Treble success in 1999 and their performances this year have more than justified Sir Alex Ferguson's then record outlay of £10.75m in the summer of 1998.
Although Stam began as a midfielder with FC Zwolle and Cambuur Leeuwarden and was bought by PSV from Willem II as a right-back, he has been a fixture in the Dutch side in the centre of defence since his international debut against Brazil in 1996.
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