Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has ignited debate by naming his ex-teammate Steven Gerrard as the greatest midfielder in Premier League history. The declaration came during a live Sky Sports broadcast following Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Monday night, where Carragher was joined by fellow pundit Roy Keane.
The Ranking Process and Top Ten Revealed
Carragher was tasked with selecting his top ten central midfielders from a longlist of 28 Premier League legends. He meticulously narrowed it down, announcing each player in turn. The countdown began with former Chelsea and Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas in tenth place, followed by Manchester City icons Rodri and Yaya Toure in ninth and eighth respectively.
Roy Keane's former Manchester United teammate Paul Scholes secured seventh spot, with Keane himself praising Scholes as a "brilliant player and team-mate" who "brought that X factor." N'Golo Kante and Frank Lampard were placed sixth and fifth by Carragher before he positioned Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, who later played for Manchester City, in fourth.
High Praise for Premier League Icons
The tension escalated as Carragher revealed his top three selections. Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne claimed third place, with Carragher highlighting his exceptional passing ability. "He is the best ever passer of the ball in the Premier League," Carragher stated, noting that De Bruyne's creativity was a key difference-maker for City, particularly referencing the dramatic 2022 title-deciding match against Aston Villa.
Roy Keane agreed emphatically, adding, "He's the first that springs to mind for me if I'm thinking about the greatest Premier League midfielder. An amazing player, with goals and assists. I used to be jealous of players like that."
Keane's Second Place and Gerrard's Triumph
Attention then turned to Keane, who was ranked second. Carragher lavished praise on the Irishman, describing him as the Premier League's best passer at finding players between the lines and emphasizing his leadership. "You were the boss in midfield," Carragher said, adding that Keane would be his "captain of central midfield players." Keane responded modestly, acknowledging his focus on simplicity and team play.
Ultimately, Steven Gerrard was crowned number one. Carragher defended this choice against potential bias, citing Gerrard's versatility and impact. "The strength about Stevie was he didn't have a weakness, he could tick every box," Carragher explained, noting Gerrard's ability to excel in defensive, central, and attacking midfield roles.
Addressing the Premier League Title Question
When questioned about Gerrard's lack of a Premier League title, Carragher pointed to his eight inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year—a record for any player. "The way I flip that is he's been the best player in the league," Carragher argued, suggesting that no other midfielder would have had a greater impact in Gerrard's Liverpool teams, especially highlighting his performances in the 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup finals.
This ranking has sparked widespread discussion among football fans, celebrating the legacies of these midfield maestros while underscoring the subjective nature of such historical comparisons in the sport.
