Jamie Carragher has named Steven Gerrard the best midfielder in Premier League history, but revealed the Liverpool legend is not the best passer he has ever seen.
Carragher ranks among the best midfielders in Premier League history
That’s always a controversial discussion, isn’t it? When discussing the best midfielders in the history of the English top flight, passing range, goals, assists, Premier League medals and Champions League medals all come up in the conversation, resulting in several different answers.
But for Carragher, the answer is clear. The former Liverpool star had no hesitation in naming Gerrard the best midfielder in Premier League history, even if he didn’t bring glory to his boyhood club.
Carragher’s top 10 PL midfielders |
|---|
1. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) |
2. Roy Keane (Manchester United) |
3. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) |
4. Patrick Vieira (Arsenal & Man City) |
5. Frank Lampard (Chelsea & Man City) |
6. N’Golo Kante (Leicester & Chelsea) |
7. Paul Scholes (Manchester United) |
8. Yaya Toure (Man City) |
9. Rodri (Man City) |
10. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal & Chelsea) |
This is definitely a divisive list. Some would argue that Kevin De Bruyne should be in the top spot, let alone in the top two. After all, he is the only player to reach Thierry Henry’s 20 assist mark in a single season.
On the other hand, there is debate over Paul Scholes’ position below N’Golo Kante.
Ranking of the 20 best midfielders in Premier League history
Where does Man City icon Kevin De Bruyne rank?
The debate could develop from there, but Carragher told Monday Night Football after handing over the top job to Gerrard: “What I’ve always said about Stevie is that I’ve looked at this list of players and said the strengths of certain players. What I’ve always said about Stevie is that his strengths were that he didn’t have any weaknesses.”
It’s hard to argue with Carragher’s verdict on Gerrard, but that doesn’t mean the former Liverpool captain was the best at everything in his position. In fact, Carragher claims he’s not the best passer the Premier League has seen.
Carragher names Keane the best passer he’s ever seen
That praise was reserved for Roy Keane. The Manchester United legend is the best passer the Premier League has ever seen as far as Carragher is concerned, even better than Gerrard and Scholes.
“I don’t think anyone on that list is better at finding the number 10 than Roy Keane. That play between the lines. It’s the best ball in football for a midfield player. That’s what hurts opponents. Getting the ball into Eric Cantona in that position, getting the ball into Dwight Yorke, getting the ball into Teddy Sheringham.”
“For me, when you look at that list, there’s a lot of different players. I don’t think there’s anyone who played a better game than Roy Keane and in midfield everything went through him.”
This is a high assessment from Carragher, and it’s hard to argue with it.
Keane developed a reputation as the Premier League’s best hard man, but was underrated due to his image as an enforcer and leader, although former defenders suggested his technical ability was at its best in English football history.
