The hard player: Darren Fletcher
Born on 1 February 1984 in Dalkeith, Scotland, Darren Fletcher is a midfielder whose career is inseparable from Manchester United. He made 342 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 24 goals, cementing himself as a reliable engine in the Manchester midfield. After United, he moved to West Bromwich Albion (97 games, 6 goals) before wrapping up at Stoke City (42 games, 2 goals).
On the international front, Fletcher was a cornerstone of the Scottish national team, earning 80 caps and netting 5 goals. A solid club career and remarkable international longevity – the kind of player that only half of all football fans could put a name to.
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PlayThe medium player: Wilfried Zaha
Born on 10 November 1992 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Wilfried Zaha is a left winger who made Crystal Palace his home. Developed and revealed at the London club, he completed two separate stints there: the first spanning 296 games and 71 goals, the second 124 games and 15 goals – a rare loyalty in modern football.
Between those two spells at Selhurst Park, Zaha ventured to Turkey with Galatasaray (43 games, 10 goals), before loan moves to Charlotte FC (40 games, 12 goals) and Crystal Palace (19 games, 3 goals). On the international scene, he wore the England under-19 shirt for 2 games.
The easy player: Yaya Touré
Born on 13 May 1983 in Bouaké, Ivory Coast, Yaya Touré is a midfielder who left his mark on an era. Before establishing himself in Europe, he had spells at KSK Beveren (75 games, 3 goals), Metalurg Donetsk (39 games, 5 goals) and AS Monaco (30 games, 5 goals), before landing at FC Barcelona for 118 games and 6 goals.
It was at Manchester City that Touré truly stepped up a level: 316 games and 82 goals for the Citizens – a remarkable return for a central midfielder. On the international stage, he represented Ivory Coast from the under-20s (7 games, 1 goal).