Stéphane Henchoz (Switzerland) a composed and consistent man-marker, the Swiss international was a solid defender: tough tackling, dominant in the air, an excellent reader of the game, forging a formidable centreback partnership with Sami Hyypia.
Joining Hamann and Lampard in the engine room is
Roberto Di Matteo (Italy), a complete midfielder who possessed excellent passing skills, a technical touch and the box-to-box industry and tenacity to be effective in both halves of the pitch.