#4 Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
In terms of sole on-field presence and inspirational performances, perhaps there has been no better leader in the modern era than Steven Gerrard. However, due to his failure to win a Premier League, the legendary Liverpool captain ranks a little lower on this list.
The former English captain took the captain’s armband from Sami Hyypia in 2003 after then-manager Gerard Houllier spotted something special in him. A local lad and a Liverpool fan through and through, letting Gerrard lead the team was a masterstroke and in the next three seasons, he single-handedly led his club to an FA Cup victory as well as their fifth Champions League trophy.
Stevie G won the PFA Players’ Player of The Year in 2006 and scored over 20 goals that season.
Overall (as a captain), Gerrard has won four trophies in his 12 years as Liverpool’s leader and has scored more important goals than perhaps any other midfielder in Premier League history.
The Man of the Match in both the Champions League final (2005) and the FA Cup final (2006), his failure to win the Premier League trophy does not diminish his status as undoubtedly, one of the best players and captains the modern era has seen.
