Wayne Rooney named the best midfielder of Gerrard, Shoals and Lampard

England is fortunate to have Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden at the heart of the midfield these days, but it wasn’t long ago that Stephen Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Shoals were all available in the engine compartment.

Although the current generation is special, England’s last “Golden Generation” was the most talented at his disposal to pursue his first honor since the 1966 World Cup.

It wasn’t just the midfield that the three lions were spoiled for their talent. The team also features Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. And the list could continue.

Many have made their comments about why England was dumped from the 2002 World Cup and then later abandoned in Euro 2004, including Lampard, with penalties against Portugal. The former England and Chelsea midfielder told reporters: “I think sometimes we (the Golden Generation) were too stiff. I talk about it from my own personal experience of playing with teams that are not at our level at the World Cup.

“I’m not talking about France or Italy. Teams like Ecuador kept the ball midfield because they outperformed us in the centre of the park. Maybe I’d used to it where I and Stevie (Steven Gerrard) have the numbers.

Whether there are large numbers or not, there is no denying the quality that the UK has had, especially in the middle of the park. But finding the right balance between Lampard, Gerrard and Shoals often proved to be the biggest problem for the three lions, which sparked mid-length debate that has been rumbling for decades since.

Rooney nominated Gerrard as the best England teammate of all time

Playing with all three members of the international level with Manchester United and the Shoals, Rooney should be an expert in the old England midfield debate, leading his official verdict to overlap in 2024.

“Paul Scholes, Stephen Gerrard and Frank Lampard are all different. As an all-rounder, Stevie is the best. He can defend the ball, run, run, tackle, score goals, set pieces. He’s the best in that respect.”

While praising all three, Rooney continued to repeat what the Shoals failed to accomplish what Gerrard did on the Liverpool side. “Everyone was a world class player. Stevie came to Manchester United and became a top player and did what the Shoals could do.

The numbers certainly don’t help end the debate after the Rooney verdict, but what they are highlighting is the obvious failure that all three of the UK are free to use in the Golden Generation.