Premier League's most beautiful players to watch 40-31: Eidur Gudjohnsen, Philippe Albert and Rafael van der Vaart are in... but who else makes our countdown?

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It was Pele who first described football as 'the beautiful game', coining a phrase which would go on to become the sport's unofficial tagline.

The Brazil legend certainly played it, scoring over 1,000 goals in a remarkable career, but what makes a player beautiful to watch?

Alan Shearer is the Premier League's record goalscorer, Roy Keane was one of the division's finest midfielders and few defenders can rival the career of John Terry, but you won't find any of them on this countdown.

We're listing the players who lit up grounds around the country, whose skill, comfort in possession and penchant for the spectacular won them the hearts of fans and minutes on Match of the Day.

They're the players you buy a ticket to see. The defenders who play like they've got all the time in the world. The midfielders who spot a pass nobody else can see. The strikers who create a goal out of absolutely nothing.

This week we'll be counting down the top 50 most beautiful players to watch in Premier League history. Here are the men who made it into 40-31. 

40. John Stones (Everton 2013 – present)

Stones is only 21 years old and has just 54 Premier League appearances under his belt, but anyone who has watched him consistently over the last two years will tell you what a special player Everton and England have on their hands.

The ex-Barnsley youngster glides across the pitch, has a range of passing most midfield playmakers would be proud of and plays with a confidence which belies his tender years. It's no wonder Jose Mourinho was desperate to bring him to Chelsea.

Magic moment: Up against suitors Chelsea earlier this season, Stones had the audacity to pull off a Cruyff turn away from the advancing Pedro almost inside his own six-yard box. It was the cherry on top of another fine individual performance.

Everton's gifted defender John Stones (right) was a transfer target for Chelsea all summer long

39. Chris Waddle (Sheffield Wednesday 1992-96)

Waddle's very best years might have been behind him by the time the Premier League was formed in 1992, but the wily winger still showed glimpses of the talent which once made him the world's third most expensive player.

The former sausage-factory worker particularly impressed during his debut season for Sheffield Wednesday, using his trickery and quick thinking to beat opponents, and his sweet left foot to win the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award. 

Magic moment: Sheffield Wednesday's 5-0 win against West Ham in the 1993-94 season is known as 'The Waddle Game' among Owls supporters after the ex-England man ripped the Hammers apart with arguably his best performance for the club.

Chris Waddle's best years were behind him when Premier League was formed but he still made a big impact

38. Santi Cazorla (Arsenal 2012 – present)

One of the Premier League's midget gems at just 5ft 5in, Cazorla has developed into a vital member of Arsene Wenger's stylish midfield with his willingness to get on the ball and dictate the tempo of games.

Nicknamed 'Little Magician' by his Gunners team-mates, the Spaniard has a tendency to make the game look easy with his ability to comfortably use both feet – an attribute lacking among many Premier League players today.

Magic moment: Cazorla showed great determination to beat Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini to the ball in December last year, taking it wide before executing a cute, chipped finish past Ben Alnwick to put Arsenal 2-0 up.

Santi Cazorla (right) battles with Tottenham midfielder Moussa Dembele during the recent north London derby

37. Eidur Gudjohnsen (Chelsea 2000-06, Tottenham 2010 (loan), Stoke 2010-11, Fulham 2011)

Gudjohnsen was never the most prolific of strikers, but he played the game with panache and the sort of technique that was deemed good enough for a three-year stint at Barcelona.

A deep-lying forward with superb vision and a brain even quicker than his feet, Gudjohnsen is still playing for Iceland at the age of 37 and is targeting a move back to Europe from Chinese club Shijiazhuang Ever Bright.

Magic moment: Gudjohnsen had it all to do when Frank Lampard swung in a cross from the right against Leeds in January 2003, but the Chelsea forward's wonderful overhead kick left Paul Robinson with no chance as the Blues went on to win 3-2.

Eidur Gudjohnsen spent six years at Chelsea and returned to England with at Tottenham, Stoke and Fulham

36. Steve McManaman (Liverpool 1990-99)

One of the finest dribblers the Premier League has ever seen, McManaman was a delight to watch when he picked up the ball on either of Liverpool's flanks and embarked on a mazy run forward.

A two-footed winger capable of cutting inside or hugging the touchline, the shaggy-haired Scouser bamboozled countless defenders during his nine years at Anfield before being snapped up by European giants Real Madrid.

Magic moment: Liverpool were 2-0 up against Aston Villa in September 1997 when McManaman picked up the ball deep inside his own half and went on a trademark run, turning defenders inside-out before beating Mark Bosnich with a low drive.

Steve McManaman terrorised defenses during his time at Liverpool before moving to Real Madrid

35. Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham 2010-12)

Van der Vaart only stayed at Tottenham for two years, but what a two years they were. He left White Hart Lane having hit the back of the net 24 times in the league, created 15 goals for his team-mates and added a new dimension to Spurs' attack.

The former Real Madrid man thrived in a No 10 role, playing an attack-minded brand of football alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, all under the tutelage of Harry Redknapp.

Magic moment: Van der Vaart played a pivotal role as Tottenham beat north London rivals Arsenal away from home for the first time in 17 years in November 2010. The Dutchman set up Bale for Spurs' first, scored their second from the penalty spot and crossed for Younes Kaboul to head home as Redknapp's men came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

Rafael van der Vaart was only at Tottenham for two years but was part of one of their best teams in years

34. Philippe Albert (Newcastle 1994-99)

A cultured defender who loved marauding forward, Albert became an extremely popular figure on Tyneside during his five-year spell with Newcastle, much of which was spent under Kevin Keegan.

The big Belgian was an excellent defender, but it was his ease in possession and tendency to bring the ball out from the back rather than hoof it long which made him stand out from the crowd.

Magic moment: Newcastle were cruising to victory against Manchester United in October 1996 when Albert pushed the ball out of his feet and proceeded to beat Peter Schmeichel with the most delicate of chips and cap a 5-0 rout. An iconic moment in Premier League history.

Newcastle's former Belgian star Philippe Albert (left) challenges Blackburn's Gary Flitcroft (right) 

33. Mustapha Hadji (Coventry City 1999-01, Aston Villa 2001-04)

A Coventry cult hero after some dazzling performances under Gordon Strachan, Hadji was a goal-scoring attacking midfielder with skillful feet and a love of taking on – and often beating – opponents.

Some Sky Blues fans took to wearing fez hats in recognition of the Moroccan and his international team-mate Youssef Chippo, but the former struggled to make a similar impact on the Aston Villa fan base after joining the club in 2001.

Magic moment: It may have only been a consolation, but Hadji's wonderful strike against Leeds in a 4-3 defeat in September 1999 will live long in the memory of those inside Highfield Road that day.

Mustapha Hadji had two memorable seasons at Coventry before moving to Aston Villa

32. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal 2003-11, Chelsea 2014 – present)

He might be enduring a slump for Chelsea this year, but the manner in which Fabregas plays when at his best – the first half of last season being a perfect example – earns him a spot on our countdown.

The former Barcelona midfielder remains one of most incisive passers the Premier League has seen, while his vision and ability to create chances from almost nothing make him a constant threat in the final third of the pitch.

Magic moment: Fabregas managed 18 assists in his debut season for Chelsea, but perhaps the most impressive came in the opening game of the season against Burnley when his first-time pass allowed Andre Schurrle to get in behind and score without breaking stride.

Cesc Fabregas came through Arsenal's ranks before moving to Barcelona and then joining Chelsea

31. Andrei Kanchelskis (Manchester United 1991-95, Everton 1995-97, Southampton 2003)

Quick, tricky and with an eye for goal, Kanchelskis tormented Premier League defenders for five-and-a-half years before being sold by Everton to Serie A side Fiorentina for £8million.

The gifted Russian made a habit of cutting inside to score, but it was the way he drifted across the turf and outfoxed opposition full backs which really caught the eye.

Magic moment: The Merseyside derby in November 1995 is known as the Kanchelskis derby among fans, at least those from the blue half of the city. He scored twice that day to give the Toffees a rare – and very sweet – taste of victory at Anfield.

Andrei Kanchelskis tormented defenders for five-and-a-half years before being sold by Everton to Fiorentina