Jamie Carragher Declares Steven Gerrard Premier League's Greatest Midfielder
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has sparked debate by naming his top ten Premier League midfielders of all time, with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard taking the coveted number one spot. The ex-defender made his selections during a studio discussion, defending Gerrard's position ahead of serial winners like Roy Keane and Kevin De Bruyne.
Gerrard Tops List Despite Lack of Premier League Title
Steven Gerrard's inclusion at the summit of Carragher's ranking is particularly notable given he is the only player on the list never to have won the Premier League. Carragher passionately defended this choice, highlighting Gerrard's record eight appearances in the PFA Team of the Year—more than any other player in history.
"Another way of looking at it too is we didn't win the league, we'd have loved to but with the other players on the list, I don't think if we put them in for Steven Gerrard that we would've won the league," Carragher stated on Sky Sports. He argued that no other midfielder would have taken Liverpool closer to the title during Gerrard's era.
Roy Keane and Kevin De Bruyne Follow Close Behind
Manchester United legend Roy Keane, who was seated beside Carragher during the broadcast, had to settle for second place. Keane, a multiple Premier League champion and former captain, acknowledged the quality of the selection but offered a differing opinion.
Kevin De Bruyne secured third position, with Carragher praising the Belgian as the "best passer" to have graced the Premier League. De Bruyne's influence was cited as a key factor in Manchester City's title battles with Liverpool, with Carragher noting he was "the difference" in those contests.
Interestingly, Keane himself admitted that De Bruyne would have been his personal top pick. "It's about opinions but he's the first that springs to mind for me if I'm thinking about the greatest Premier League midfielder," Keane confessed.
The Complete Top Ten Ranking Revealed
Carragher's full list showcases a blend of iconic figures from Premier League history:
- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
- Roy Keane (Manchester United)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Patrick Vieira (Arsenal)
- Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
- N'Golo Kante (Leicester City, Chelsea)
- Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
- Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
- Rodri (Manchester City)
- Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, Chelsea)
Patrick Vieira, the captain of Arsenal's Invincibles, claimed fourth place with three Premier League titles to his name. Frank Lampard followed in fifth, recognized for his extraordinary goalscoring prowess from midfield that made him Chelsea's all-time top scorer.
Notable Inclusions and Omissions Spark Discussion
N'Golo Kante's sixth-place ranking highlights his remarkable impact, having inspired Leicester City's fairytale title win in 2016 before repeating the feat with Chelsea. Carragher compared his unique energy and defensive abilities to Claude Makelele.
Manchester United's Paul Scholes took seventh, described by Keane as a "brilliant player and team-mate" who brought an "X factor" with his goal-scoring ability. Yaya Toure was eighth, with Carragher admitting the Ivorian was "almost like a cheat code" at his peak during Manchester City's 2014 title triumph.
Rodri, the only Ballon d'Or winner on the list, placed ninth, while Cesc Fabregas rounded out the top ten. The selection has inevitably ignited conversations among fans and pundits alike about the criteria for greatness and the balance between individual brilliance and team success.
