9. Cesc Fabregas
Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport
Club: Arsenal (and now Chelsea) When Barcelona, the best side in the world at the time, pay over £25million to re-sign a player they lost for nothing at academy level, you know that player is a special talent. At the age of just 16, believing that his first-team opportunities would be limited at the Catalan club, Fabregas signed for Arsenal and would go on to spend eight fantastic years there, establishing himself as one of the clubs greatest ever midfielders and even being appointed club captain at just 21-years-old. Fabregas is one of the Premier Leagues all-time leading assist-makers and thats no surprise really given the players unselfish nature and wonderful eye for a through-ball. Not many midfielders can open up a defence with one swipe of a boot like the Spaniard but from next season it is the Gunners North London rivals Chelsea who will reap the rewards. Many Arsenal fans will feel let down by the players decision to join the Blues, but thats probably not entirely fair given that Fabregas would probably have opted to re-join Arsenal had Arsene Wenger not decided against bidding for the 27-year-old. Arsenal have Aaron Ramsey now who could find himself in a similar list of top Premier League midfielders in five years time, should he continue his fine form from the last campaign and so its time for the club to move on.