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Match of the Day Top 10: Lineker, Shearer and Micah talk Keane and Vieira rivalryThe Match of the Day Top 10 boys are back, and to get the new season started Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will be debating the Premier League’s best ever midfielders.
From modern superstars to former greats, the list contains midfielders with all kinds of quality and is sure to excite all football fans.
Here are their picks. See what you think, and then pick the order you would rank them in.
Find out how Gary, Alan and Micah ranked their selectionsKevin de BruyneKevin de Bruyne has racked up a total of 98 assists in the Premier LeagueClubs: Chelsea (2011-14), Man City (2015-present)
Premier League record: 226 appearances, 60 goals, 95 assists
Signed by Manchester City in 2015 for a then club record fee of £55m. Kevin de Bruyne has enjoyed a stellar return to the Premier League and is currently ranked fifth in Premier League assists. He is also a back-to-back PFA Player’s Player of the Year award winner (2019-20 and 2020-21) – just the third player in history to achieve this feat after Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2019-20 campaign in particular stood out as De Bruyne matched Henry’s Premier League assist record of 20 and created the most chances from open play since records began (104).
Cesc FabregasCesc Fabregas went from wonderkid to Premier League iconClubs: Arsenal (2003-2011), Chelsea (2014-19)
Premier League record: 350 appearances, 50 goals, 111 assists
Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona as a 16-year-old in 2003 and quickly developed into one of the world’s best midfielders. Aged just 16 years and 177 days, he became the club’s youngest first-team player when he made his debut in a League Cup tie against Rotherham, and broke another record later in December when he became the Gunners’ youngest-ever goalscorer with his strike against Wolves. He was part of the Arsenal side that won the FA Cup in 2004/05.
He would return to the Premier League with Chelsea from boyhood club Barcelona, finally adding that illusive Premier League title to his CV in 2014. He won another in the 2016/17 season, as well as adding another FA Cup to the trophy cabinet.
Steven Gerrard Despite not winning a Premier League title, Steven Gerrard’s quality is undoubtableClubs: Liverpool (1998-2015)
Premier League record: 504 appearances, 120 goals, 92 assists
Steven Gerrard’s capacity to drag his teammates along with him to achieve great things is perhaps best evidenced by his incredible record of having scored in the finals of the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup. His last-minute equaliser against West Ham United in the FA Cup final perhaps being the defining moment of an iconic career. Gerrard’s momentous talent was acknowledged by his peers when he won PFA Young Player of the Year in 2000-01 and PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2005-06.
Ngolo KanteArriving from French side Caen, N’Golo Kante carved out a legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of his generationClubs: Leicester (2015-16), Chelsea (2016-present)
Premier League record: 222 appearances, 12 goals, 16 assists
Unknown in England before his arrival at Leicester in 2015 (signed from Caen for £5.6m), Kante announced himself in style by playing a key role in the Foxes’ legendary title-winning campaign that year. His performances resulted in a move to Chelsea the following season (£32m) where he subsequently repeated the trick, earning the PFA Player of the Year award along the way.
Roy KeaneRoy Keane is one of the Premier League’s most decorated playersClubs: Nottingham Forest (1990-93), Man Utd (1993-2005)
Premier League record: 366 appearances, 39 goals, 33 assists
Keane began his career in England with Nottingham Forest before joining Man Utd for a then record fee of £3.75m in the summer of 1993. Labelled the best player he ever worked with by Sir Alex Ferguson, few sportsmen have led from the front the way Keane did and it was his unwavering desire to succeed that underpinned the most successful spell in United’s history. This culminated in the club’s famous 1998-99 treble-winning season.
Frank LampardFrank Lampard’s stellar Chelsea career has seen him become the club’s all-time top scorerClubs: West Ham (1995-2001); Chelsea (2001-2014); Man City (2014-15)
Premier League record: 609 appearances, 177 goals, 102 assists
Frank Lampard’s name will forever be front of mind during any conversation around goalscoring midfielders. He was signed by Chelsea from West Ham for £11m and quickly improved his all-around game. His goalscoring prowess saw him become Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer (211) and fifth all time in the Premier League. Under manager Jose Mourinho, Lampard won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, and was labelled ‘the best in the world’ by his manager. But, arguably, his greatest season came in 2009-10 when he helped Chelsea to a special league and cup double with a
Source: BBC Sport | Read More
