Fair point on the 'world class' players. Rooney is class, of course, no debate. I prefer Gerrard to Lampard. They're both class, but I do see them as too similar, (ie central midfielders) and I can understand people who reckon they can't play in the same team. If I picked the team, whether there were 3, 4 or 5 midfield players, I'd still only have on of 'em, probably Stevie, smack dab in the middle. I know Frank gets a helluva lot of goals coming forward, but I still think Stevie does it better, and sees the play in front of him better than Frank.
Owen WAS good, but I think he was a bit one footed to still be considered a 'world class' forward. He's too easily neutralised by just forcing him onto his left foot. Which is how I always felt about Beckham, too, as it goes. Sure, Beckham had amazing accuracy when crossing from the right, and could hit a helluva dead ball, but always way, way too flimsy for me. Too easily put out of the game by being 'clobbered' early on.
Ferdinand, while he's obviously a big miss, can still be a bit of a 'bombscare' at the back. For a centre back with his experience he can make the most basic errors of judgement, which can be the difference between winning and losing at the top level.
Except I'm a fat tw@t 