Over the years, the Premier League has been blessed with an incredibly talented group of superstars. Whether it's a defender, midfielder, striker, or goalkeeper - the league has seen players transcend the status of mere footballers to become icons and legends in the history of the league.
It is well known that the strength of the midfield often determines a team's final performance, so it is said that midfielders have always been a key factor in a team's championship run. Every great league championship team has memorable performances, which are accomplished by outstanding midfielders in control.
Here, we take a look at the top 10 best midfielders in the history of the Premier League.
No. 10: N'Golo Kante one-on-one Chelsea, Leicester City
The small midfielder from Paris has come a long way since making his Premier League debut at Leicester City. N'Golo Kante was one of the most crucial players for the Foxes in winning the league title in 2015-16.
Kante is arguably one of the best ball-playing players in the world, both at the back in midfield and front, and the 29-year-old seems to have a never-ending engine that allows him to press and disrupt opponents with abandon in games.
His former teammate Eden Hazard had this to say about the French international: "Sometimes, when I'm on the pitch, I think I see two Kante's. One on the left, one on the right, I feel like I'm playing with twins!"
Kante arrived at Chelsea a year after arriving from Leicester to win his second Premier League title under Conte. Kante's outstanding performance won the applause of the media, fans, and pundits alike. Kante will certainly be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League by the time he retires. So far, he has played 164 league games and scored 10 goals in that time.
No. 9: Yaya Toure one-on-one with Manchester City
Manchester City's history dates back to the 1880s, but the city has become a powerhouse since the Arab consortium took over. And of the many legendary players in the history of the Blue Moon, Yaya Toure is one of the most outstanding representatives, as he was one of the defining stars of City's domination of the Premier League. The Ivorian possessed incredible skills which allowed him to dominate the game with his individual
Standing at 1m88, Toure is a rare all-rounder who can not only use his physical strengths in midfield but also control the ball with grace. His technique and ball control are excellent, which allows him to break through opponents with ease and even defy several opponents' tackles.
His goal scoring ability is amazing, and he has a series of outstanding individual goals at Manchester City. Toure is an excellent goal scorer and he combines this ability with his nimble running to kill the opposition's half.
In his time, Toure was unstoppable. He played 230 league games in the Premier League, scoring 62 goals and making 30 assists. In addition, the Ivorian led his team to three Premier League trophies, an FA Cup, two League Cups, and a Community Shield.
No. 8: Cesc Fabregas one-on-one Arsenal, Chelsea
At the age of 17, Cesc Fabregas came to prominence in the Premier League. He was the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal's history and made himself one of the best players under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. After a stellar time at Arsenal, he returned to his old home of Barcelona and went on to greater success in Spain.
When he decided to return to the Premier League again, the Catalan joined Arsenal's city rivals Chelsea amidst a flurry of controversy. He proved to be an incredible acquisition for the Blues as he led them to the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
His ability to deliver beautiful long passes to every corner of the pitch was matched by only a handful of legendary players. Fabregas was an unparalleled metronome, and his ability to control the pace of the game transformed Chelsea. He regularly broke down opposing defenses and found then-Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
Fabregas played 350 Premier League games during this time, scoring 50 goals. His 111 assists are second in the league only to record holder Ryan Giggs and one of only four players in the Premier League to reach the 100-assist milestone.
No. 7: Kevin De Bruyne one-on-one Chelsea, Manchester City
The second active Premier League player on the list, Kevin De Bruyne, is considered the best midfielder in the world, let alone the Premier League, today. The Belgian international is unstoppable in 2019-20, but his dominance has been evident in previous seasons.
De Bruyne is one of the most versatile midfielders in the history of the Premier League. He is a master passer and shooter whose attacking ability is second to none. The 29-year-old's passing ability is incredible, while on the other hand, he is equally good at advancing with the ball, often killing the opposition's penalty area all by himself.
Guardiola De Bruyne has added more elements to his game and becomes a central player in the historic Premier League team. In 2017-18, he was the only player in Europe to create more than 60 chances and make more than 60 interceptions, highlighting his huge impact on both the offensive and defensive sides of the team.
De Bruyne is slowly getting closer to breaking Henry's single-season record of 20 assists and is almost certain to do the same for the rest of the campaign. He is also the only player in the league to have more than 15 assists in three seasons.
To date, the two-time Premier League champion has played 152 league games, scored 34 goals, and assisted 64 times. By the time he retires, De Bruyne will be even higher up on this list.
No. 6: David Silva one-on-one with Manchester City
Arguably the most influential Spanish player in the history of the Premier League, David Silva is a truly great footballer. Having played in the Premier League since 2010, the diminutive organizational core has been the epitome of the team.
Whether as a traditional number 10 or as a free-roaming attacking midfielder (under Guardiola), Silva has transitioned perfectly from one role to the other. Like Yaya Toure, Silva, now 34, has been one of the key figures in Manchester City's successful decade in the Premier League.
David Silva has a unique understanding of the game, often appearing in tight spaces to make a breakaway or pass for his teammates. Silva is active in between the two penalty areas while carrying the burden of defending. He can beat opponents on the ball and is visually stunning to watch.
David Silva is coming to the end of his career in the Premier League, just eight assists shy of 100 in the league, and whether or not he accomplishes this milestone will not affect his place in Premier League history. In the last decade, he has played 306 games, scored 39 goals, and assisted 92.
No. 5: Patrick Vieira one-on-one Arsenal, Manchester City
Former Arsenal captain Vieira is considered to be one of the greatest defensive midfielders in the history of the Premier League. The Frenchman led Arsenal to an unprecedented unbeaten season in the history of the Premier League in 2003-04.
Vieira was one of the best players in many ways, from his tactical acumen to his excellent reading of the game. While many think of him as a traditional "defensive" midfielder, he is much more than that.
The tall Frenchman is a ball-playing midfielder. His unique physique and incredible athleticism also allow him to win the ball back with ease. He can get involved in the attack, sprinting into the opponent's box or swooping in from outside the box to deliver cold shots.
As hard as it is to believe, Vieira's leadership skills are one of his most outstanding qualities aside from his ball-handling talent. He leads by example and does his best to defend the badge on his chest. Vieira was at the heart of three Premier League championship teams and won Player of the Year honors.
Vieira made 307 Premier League appearances, scoring 31 goals and assisting 34 times for his teammates. To this day, Vieira remains one of the greatest midfielders and captains the Premier League has ever seen.
No. 4: Roy Keane one-on-one with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest
The most successful captain of the Premier League era, Roy Keane, has always been an enigma. He was unparalleled in several aspects of soccer, most notably his aggression on the pitch and his ability to intercept. He can bring the ball forward and dismantle opponents' attacks, and his running ability can cover any area of the pitch.
However, he is also a highly controversial figure. The Manchester United icon was an iconic player in the Red Devils' prime and led by example. His mentality went hand in hand with his powerful physique and relentless energy, and he lasted the full 90 minutes despite covering the entire pitch.
Speaking of their legendary captain, Gary Neville had this to say: "His greatest gift was to create a standard of performance that demanded the best from the whole team. You would watch him run for his life and feel like you were betraying him if you didn't give everything you had."
Although Keane, like Vieira, was considered a traditional holding midfielder, he managed to play a more advanced role. In his 366 games, he scored 39 goals and created 33 goals. Keane holds seven Premier League titles and led the Red Devils to a historic Triple Crown in 1999.
No. 3: Lampard one-on-one West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City
Chelsea FC legend and current manager Frank Lampard is a phenomenal player who had an illustrious career with the Blues. 2001 saw him move from West Ham to Stamford Bridge in his early 20s, leaving as West Ham's all-time top scorer and arguably their greatest ever player.
Lampard was a very influential midfielder who played many different roles throughout his career. In the beginning, he was relatively forward and more attacking, but he gradually turned into a full-back. The former England international has the precision passing, vision, and ability to control the game, meaning he can play at the back and be no less of a threat to the opposition goal.
Lampard's excellent ball control is a completely different threat and the opposition must close down to defend. He takes set pieces with incredible curves and angles. The fact that he is the only midfielder in the top 10 scoring players in Premier League history speaks volumes about his superb shooting ability.
His 177 goals (5th) and 102 assists (4th) mean he is one of only three players in the league to have scored and assisted over 100. The three-time Premier League champion won the Player of the Year award for his outstanding performances in 2004-05.
No. 2: Steven Gerrard one-on-one Liverpool
The most outstanding Liverpool player of the Premier League era, Steven Gerrard is one of the most mythical players in the history of English soccer. He was a man who could do almost anything on the pitch, and on many occasions, he did.
Gerrard is undoubtedly the most versatile player in the history of the Premier League. He was able to pass with incredible precision, intercept, control the game, and lead his team at the same time. Not to mention his ability to break the deadlock on the field with cannonball-like long-range shots at crucial moments.
The most amazing of all his accomplishments is that he has maintained an incredible level of play in difficult circumstances. In the past, the former England international has not been part of the Premier League championship team. However, that hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the greatest players in Premier League history, not to mention the greatest midfielder of all time.
Although he is the only player on this list who has not won a league title, the fact that he ranks second is a testament to Gerrard's prowess. Outside of the league, he is the only player in history to have scored in the finals of the FA Cup, League Cup, European Union Cup, and UEFA Champions Cup, winning them all. He made 504 league appearances in 17 seasons, scoring 120 goals and assisting 92.
Without a doubt, Gerrard is one of the great legends of the sport.
No. 1: Paul Scholes one-on-one with Manchester United
Scholes is considered to be the best midfielder in the history of the Premier League. The former England international was a central player in United's finest days, alongside Roy Keane, Gary Neville and other stars. Scholes has been praised for his superb footballing IQ and ability.
The legendary England star was a professional at the heart of the organization, combining his unparalleled insight with near-perfect execution. He could find his teammates with the most amazing passes, tearing apart defenses in an instant.
Scholes is praised as an all-round player because he has the positional understanding to play a range of roles. He was relatively static in his position for England, but at United, he played every position in midfield. Scholes played as an attacking midfielder and later as a defensive midfielder. He was the metronome that kept Ferguson's greatest Manchester United teams running.
Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane once said Scholes was his most formidable opponent, and the current Real Madrid boss had this to say about his great rival: "My most formidable opponent was Scholes, the most versatile midfielder, and Scholes was the greatest midfielder of his time. There is no doubt that he belongs to a unique class of midfielders."
In his 499 Premier League games, Scholes scored 107 goals, contributed 55 assists, and won an astounding 11 league titles. Scholes is a Premier League superstar and one of the greatest players of his era.
About the Creator
W man
Beggars cannot be choosers.
Angels on the pitch.
In the heart of a bustling city, where the rhythm of life pulses through the streets like a steady heartbeat, there existed a small soccer field tucked away from the chaos. This field wasn't just any ordinary patch of grass; it was a sanctuary, a place where dreams took flight on the wings of determination and passion. It was here that the story of the angels of the pitch unfolded.At the crack of dawn, when the world was still cloaked in darkness, a group of young boys and girls would gather at the field, their cleats clicking against the pavement as they made their way to the hallowed ground. Among them was Alex, a talented midfielder with a heart of gold and feet that danced with grace across the turf.On one particular morning, as the sun began to peek over the horizon, Alex noticed something peculiar. A pair of worn-out cleats lay abandoned near the goalpost, as if waiting to be discovered. Intrigued, Alex approached the cleats and picked them up, examining them with curiosity. Despite their battered appearance, there was an air of magic about them, as if they held a story waiting to be told."Hey, check these out!" Alex called out to the others, holding up the cleats for all to see.The group gathered around, their eyes widening in wonder as they beheld the mysterious footwear. They had heard tales of legendary players who had once graced the field, but never had they come across such a tangible relic of the past."Maybe they belong to one of the angels," whispered Mia, the team's star striker, her voice barely above a breath."Angels?" scoffed Diego, the goalkeeper, a skeptic to the core. "There's no such thing."But Alex knew better. There was a magic in the air that morning, a sense of possibility that transcended the boundaries of belief. With a determined gleam in his eye, he slipped on the cleats, feeling a surge of energy course through his veins like electricity.As the team began their training session, something extraordinary happened. Alex moved with a newfound agility, his every step infused with the spirit of those who had come before him. With each pass and shot, he felt as if he were channeling the skill and wisdom of the angels of the pitch.As the days turned into weeks, Alex's teammates couldn't help but notice the change in him. His once tentative touches had been replaced by a confidence that bordered on the divine. It was as if he had been touched by an unseen hand, guided by forces beyond mortal comprehension.But with great power came great responsibility, and Alex knew that he couldn't keep the secret of the cleats to himself forever. So one evening, as the sun dipped below the skyline and the field was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, he gathered his teammates around him and revealed the truth."These cleats," he began, his voice steady with conviction, "they're not just ordinary shoes. They're a reminder of all those who have played on this field before us, of the angels who watch over us even now."The others listened in rapt silence as Alex recounted the legend of the angels of the pitch, of how they had once roamed the earth spreading joy and inspiration through the beautiful game of soccer. And as he spoke, they felt a sense of awe wash over them, as if they were being blessed by unseen hands.From that day forward, the cleats became more than just a pair of shoes; they became a symbol of hope and unity for the team. With each passing game, they would lace up their boots and take to the field with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that they were not alone in their quest for victory.And so, the angels of the pitch continued to weave their magic, their presence felt in every pass, every tackle, every goal. For on that sacred ground, where dreams took flight and legends were born, they watched over their earthly counterparts with pride and affection, forever guiding them towards greatness.
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