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#5 Frank Lampard (West Ham/Chelsea/Manchester City)
Frank Lampard has played for West Ham and Manchester City, but he is best known for his time at Chelsea. The Englishman spent the majority of his career from at Stamford Bridge and is regarded as one of their best players in the Premier League era.
A three-time Chelsea Player of the year and the club's top scorer with 211 goals, Lampard was a fantastic player for Chelsea and his goal-scoring exploits were sensational. A hard-working player with stamina and an ability to read the game, Lampard is also capable of functioning creatively, due to his technique, vision, and passing range.
In addition to his creative and defensive midfield roles, Lampard also had a keen eye for goal, due to his ability to make attacking runs and. These attributes enabled him to maintain a prolific goal-scoring record throughout his career, despite his deep playing position.
Lampard won 3 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups and a Champions League title in his long and accomplished career. In the summer of 2019, the legendary midfielder return to Stamford Bridge, as he replaced Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea manager.
#4 Patrick Vieira (Arsenal/Manchester City)
A dynamic midfield player whose ability to bring the ball from defence to attack was a marvel to behold, Patrick Vieira was the captain of the incredible Arsenal "invincibles" side. The Frenchman was a player whose quality of tackling, passing energy and determination made him a natural fit to the league and an easy player for Arsenal fans to fall for.
The ability to regularly beat people with the ball, especially in the middle, is a rare one, but to Vieira this seemed to come naturally. A combination of height and strength coupled with technique and composure made him a vital cog of Arsenal's gameplan.
Vieira's battles with Manchester United's Roy Keane were legendary, and it was a treat to watch two of the best midfielders of their generation go head to head. The facts of Vieira's career speak for themselves.
At the time of his retirement, he had amassed 107 caps for France (including the '98 World Cup and 2000 Euros), featured in six seasons in a row in the PFA Team of the year at Arsenal and won three Premier Leagues with the Gunners.
#3 Roy Keane (Manchester United)
Old Trafford has witnessed many spectacular individuals donning the Manchester United captain's armband and has also seen quite a few ordinary players being entrusted with this armband. No prizes for guessing which category Roy Keane falls under.
Keane was one of the most inspirational captains the game has ever seen. Composed on the ball but utterly different off it, ther mercurial midifielder is credited for instilling the never say die attitude in Manchester United's squad.
Keane was known for his hot temper, and he spoke about how he tried to maintain some semblance of control in the latter stages of his career.
"I'd come to one firm conclusion, which was to stay on the pitch for ninety minutes in every game. In other words, to curb the reckless, intemperate streak in my nature that led to sendings-off and injuries."
7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and one Champions League title with Manchester United cemented his status as one of the legends of the game.
#2 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Steven Gerrard is the one genuinely world-class player who stuck with Liverpool through think and thin. A one-club man, Gerrard is a creative midfielder with limitless energy and was renowned for being a big-game player.
A real leader, Gerrard was a tireless runner and was blessed with superb vision. Renowned for his pace, work-rate and stamina in his prime, he remains one of Liverpool's greatest ever players and will be remembered for years to come at Anfield.
He also possesses excellent technical and aerial ability, as well as notable defensive attributes. Gerrard is also widely regarded for his leadership abilities and his capability to inspire his team-mates during the toughest of situations.
Although he has never won the Premier League title, the Englishman is one of the best midfielders to have graced the English top-flight.
#1 Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Xavi referred to Paul Scholes as "the best central midfielder he has seen in the last 15-20 years". The ginger genius was one of the best players the Premier League has ever seen. He won an astonishing 25 trophies with Manchester United, which includes 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.
Scholes was highly regarded for his technical skills, accurate passing, intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range. A well-rounded midfielder in his prime, he alternated between several positions in the centre of the park.
Widely regarded by his peers as one of the best in the world, Scholes has received praise from players like Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids and Pep Guardiola. One of the best players Manchester United have ever had, Scholes was capable of pulling strings in midfield and controlling the tempo of the game effortlessly.
