We have recently entered a new decade and it seems only right to begin my blog by casting my eye over the ten years which have just passed.
I aim to provide a conclusive review of every aspect of the decade,listing the top players, the greatest teams, analysing each season and much more. Stay Tuned!
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Players of the Decade, No.50 Edwin Van Der Sar
50. Edwin Van Der Sar
One of the finest goal keepers of his generation the Dutch giant enjoyed a highly successful decade.
After establishing himself as one of the worlds best with Ajax in the 90’s Van Der Sar started the decade with a move to Italian giants Juventus. He spent only two years in Turin as the arrival of Gianlugi Buffon in the summer of 2001 pushed him out of the starting eleven and in a major surprise he left for Premier League side Fulham. In four seasons at Craven Cottage Van der Sarr reinforced his reputation as one of the worlds finest keepers and was rewarded with a transfer to Manchester United in the summer of 2005.
It is at Old Trafford that the former Ajax man has enjoyed some of the finest moments of his career. The red devils won three consecutive league titles from 2007 to 2009 as well as the Champions League in 2008. Van Der Sar played a crucial role in this triumph saving a penalty from Nicolas Anelka in the shoot out victory over Chelsea. Furthermore in the 2008/2009 season he broke the world record for consecutive clean sheets by going an astonishing 14 games without conceding.
Van Der Sar has also been the undisputed number one for the Dutch national team throughout the decade amassing a total of 130 apperances making him the Oranje's record cap holder. However success has been harder to come on international duty with semi final exits at the European Championships of 2000 and 2004 the closest the Dutch have come to any silverware.
Stats (League, Domestic Cup, European and International from 99/00 to 08/09)
Major Honours
Manchester United:
Premier League 2007, 2008, 2009
Champions League 2008
Indivdual:
Uefa GK of the year 2009.
One of the finest goal keepers of his generation the Dutch giant enjoyed a highly successful decade.
After establishing himself as one of the worlds best with Ajax in the 90’s Van Der Sar started the decade with a move to Italian giants Juventus. He spent only two years in Turin as the arrival of Gianlugi Buffon in the summer of 2001 pushed him out of the starting eleven and in a major surprise he left for Premier League side Fulham. In four seasons at Craven Cottage Van der Sarr reinforced his reputation as one of the worlds finest keepers and was rewarded with a transfer to Manchester United in the summer of 2005.
It is at Old Trafford that the former Ajax man has enjoyed some of the finest moments of his career. The red devils won three consecutive league titles from 2007 to 2009 as well as the Champions League in 2008. Van Der Sar played a crucial role in this triumph saving a penalty from Nicolas Anelka in the shoot out victory over Chelsea. Furthermore in the 2008/2009 season he broke the world record for consecutive clean sheets by going an astonishing 14 games without conceding.
Van Der Sar has also been the undisputed number one for the Dutch national team throughout the decade amassing a total of 130 apperances making him the Oranje's record cap holder. However success has been harder to come on international duty with semi final exits at the European Championships of 2000 and 2004 the closest the Dutch have come to any silverware.
Stats (League, Domestic Cup, European and International from 99/00 to 08/09)
Major Honours
Manchester United:
Premier League 2007, 2008, 2009
Champions League 2008
Indivdual:
Uefa GK of the year 2009.
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