Greatest XI of the 21st century

Central midfielder: Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is one of the best midfielders to have played the game since the turn of the century. The former Chelsea manager narrowly edges out his compatriot and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard due to his superior goalscoring prowess.

One of the most prolific midfield players in Premier League history, Lampard struck an impressive 177 goals, while also assisting over 100 times in the competition. Most of his Premier League strikes came with Chelsea, with whom he won three league titles. Lampard also featured more than 100 times for England, but a major title eluded him.

18 – Frank Lampard led the assists chart with 18 – it’s the highest number of assists ever provided by an English player in a single Premier League campaign. Generous. #OptaPLSeasons pic.twitter.com/vxflM82nbk

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2020

Apart from his goal contributions, the 43-year-old was also adept at taking free-kicks and donned various roles in midfield and attack.

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Central midfield: Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez, more commonly known only by his first name, is arguably one of the best midfielders to have graced the beautiful game.

Possessing a keen eye for exploring spaces in the opposition half, Xavi helped create scoring opportunities galore for club and country during an illustrious career.

The 41-year-old was one of the dazzling performers in Barcelona's historic 2008-09 treble-winning campaign, conjuring 40 goal contributions (ten goals and 30 assists) in all competitions.

Never forget when Xavi recorded THIRTY assists in one season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cVPqfFs9D3

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 29, 2020

He orchestrated play in the middle of the park for club and country like very few could and won three major trophies with Spain. Though he was not a prolific scorer - something that probably cost him the Ballon d'Or - his ability to conjure goalscoring chances was worth its weight in gold.

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Central midfield: Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta, along with Xavi, formed the core of a Barcelona team that won the 2008-09 continental treble and the Spain side that swept consecutive Euro titles either side of a FIFA World Cup triumph.

Iniesta, who operated a little higher up the pitch than Xavi, didn't score too many goals, but when he did, they were usually landmark ones. He famously scored the winner that sealed Spain's only World Cup title in 2010. A nine-time La Liga winner, Iniesta produced a last-gasp stunner against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2009, a goal that eventually paved the way for the club's treble that season.

15 - Andres Iniesta is the only player to provide an assist in La Liga in each of the last 15 seasons (69 in total). Eternal. pic.twitter.com/KSAQ3prdBH

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 28, 2018

Despite his diminutive stature, Iniesta was decent in the air and was a master in retaining possession and finding his teammates with decisive passes to pierce the tightest of gaps in opposition defenses.