10 Greatest Midfielders Of The Premier League Era

Joint 1st - Steven Gerrard & Paul Scholes

Liverpool and United fans will argue until they're red in the face over who the better player is out of Gerrard and Scholes, but in truth, when you take your biased hat off, it's almost impossible to separate the pair. The bottom line is, they are the two greatest midfielders in Premier League history, and the two finest English players during that time too. That first Premier League title may continue to evade Gerrard, but that is irrelevant when discussing his brilliance. In the 16 years since his Reds debut, he has often single-handedly dragged his side through games, showcasing his unbelievable talent and influence. As a player he literally doesn't have a weakness, and he must surely now considered Liverpool's greatest ever player. Whether it be his display in the 2005 Champions League Final or his one-man show of genius in the FA Cup Final a year later, the 34-year-old has always come up trumps in the biggest games. Blessed with a superb shot, a wonderful range of passing, the ability to run with the ball through midfield and good pace, at his peak he was a sight to behold. He may not be the force he once was- his performances last season were still sensational though, despite his much-publicised slip against Chelsea- but he remains an important player for Brendan Rodgers' side. He has 176 goals in 678 Liverpool appearances to date. Scholes, meanwhile, was an utterly fabulous footballer. Blessed with unbelievable natural ability, he ran the show in United's midfield for more than a decade, first as a goalscoring midfield then as a playmaker. His passing ability, shooting accuracy and, as is the case with many of the players on this list, influence were sensational, and while the likes of David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Keane made the headlines off the pitch, Scholes just quietly went about his business. The diminutive former England star scored 155 goals in 718 appearances for United, winning 11 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and three FA Cups. He is one of the most decorated English players in the history of the game. Many former teammates claim that Scholes is the finest player they ever played with, which shows just what a special footballer he was. It almost took until his 30s for him to be fully appreciated, which remains baffling. People will always have their opinion on the Gerrard-Scholes debate. Some feel Gerrard dragged numerous average Liverpool sides through seasons, which Scholes couldn't necessarily have done, while others believe the ex-United man's ability and success have the edge over his former international teammate. We should just appreciate them both for being two of the finest players of their generation, and call it a dead heat. Who are your 10 Greatest Midfielders Of The Premier League Era? Let us know in the comments section.Follow Henry on twitter: @HenryJackson87
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