In a recent episode of his podcast, Rio Presents, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand sparked an intense discussion by naming his top three greatest midfielders in Premier League history. The choice was far from conventional, as some of the biggest names in football were notably excluded from the list, much to the surprise of his podcast co-host, Joel Beya.
Ferdinand’s list stirred a lively debate, with players from Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City being notably absent. These clubs are home to some of the most decorated and accomplished players in Premier League history, yet they were not deemed worthy of a spot in Ferdinand’s top three. Instead, Ferdinand opted for a mix of legendary players, many of whom share a deep history with Manchester United, the club where Ferdinand made his name.
Ferdinand’s process began with a shortlist of six players: Frank Lampard, Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Kevin De Bruyne. Each of these players had a remarkable career and was considered by many to be among the greatest midfielders in Premier League history. However, when it came time to narrow down the list, Ferdinand excluded some of the most iconic names from the Premier League’s competitive eras.
To begin with, former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard, the Premier League’s all-time highest-scoring midfielder, was ruled out early. Lampard, who enjoyed a decorated career with Chelsea, winning numerous league titles and cups, was not even included in Ferdinand’s final three. This decision likely raised eyebrows for fans of the London club who saw Lampard as a pivotal figure in Chelsea’s modern success. His consistent performances and leadership at Chelsea, coupled with his knack for scoring goals, made him a natural contender for a spot in most people’s all-time Premier League top three.
From there, Ferdinand swiftly moved on to the debate involving players from Manchester City, with a focus on the Belgian maestro, Kevin De Bruyne. Known for his exceptional vision, passing range, and playmaking ability, De Bruyne has been central to Manchester City’s dominance in recent years. His impact in the Premier League has been immense, and his exclusion from Ferdinand’s top three was perhaps the most surprising of all. Ferdinand, however, made it clear that he didn’t believe De Bruyne was a better player than some of the other midfielders he had chosen.
In a firm statement that left his co-host stunned, Ferdinand remarked, “De Bruyne is not better than Gerrard on any day of the week. I’m sorry, he’s not.” This bold assertion was met with incredulity by Beya, who clearly felt that De Bruyne’s contribution to Manchester City’s recent success deserved recognition. However, Ferdinand stood his ground, asserting that his decision was based on the overall impact of each player in the context of Premier League history, not just their recent form or individual moments of brilliance.
After eliminating the likes of Lampard and De Bruyne, Ferdinand focused on the remaining contenders: Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira, and Steven Gerrard. Ultimately, he chose the iconic United duo of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, alongside Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, to complete his top three.
Keane’s selection was unsurprising given his immense influence on Manchester United’s success during the 1990s and early 2000s. A powerful, combative midfielder, Keane was the backbone of Sir Alex Ferguson’s United teams, leading them to numerous Premier League titles and helping them secure the elusive Champions League triumph in 1999. Keane’s intensity, leadership, and tactical intelligence on the field made him one of the most influential players in the Premier League’s history. His role in United’s dominance, particularly in the club’s golden era, was indispensable.
Ferdinand’s admiration for Keane was evident when he said, “I don’t know if there’s ever been a more influential player on a team for as long a period, and as dominant, as him. Roy Keane was the midfielder’s midfielder.” Ferdinand’s words underline just how highly he rates Keane, not only as a player but as a leader who transformed Manchester United into the most powerful club in England during his time there.
Next up was Paul Scholes, one of the most technically gifted players to ever grace the Premier League. Scholes’ exceptional passing range, vision, and ability to score crucial goals placed him in the upper echelons of English footballers. Ferdinand praised Scholes for his longevity and his consistency in maintaining a high level of performance throughout his career. Scholes won a total of 11 Premier League titles, an achievement that only a handful of players can boast. His technical ability, creativity, and footballing intelligence made him a standout figure in United’s midfield for over two decades.
Finally, Ferdinand chose Steven Gerrard to complete his trio. Despite the intense rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, Ferdinand recognized Gerrard’s immense talent and influence on the field. A talismanic figure for Liverpool, Gerrard was known for his leadership, his ability to control the midfield, and his knack for scoring vital goals. While Gerrard never won a Premier League title with Liverpool, his performances in big matches and his long-standing dedication to the club earned him a spot in Ferdinand’s top three.
The omissions of Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard, and Kevin De Bruyne from Ferdinand’s top three raised some eyebrows, especially considering the extraordinary careers these players had. Vieira, a key figure in Arsenal’s “Invincibles” squad, was undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s most dominant midfielders during his time at Highbury. His ability to dominate the center of the park, coupled with his leadership qualities, made him one of the most influential players in the competition’s history.
Similarly, Lampard’s record as the Premier League’s all-time leading midfield scorer is a remarkable achievement, and his influence on Chelsea’s success, particularly in the Premier League, cannot be understated. Despite this, Ferdinand opted for a different set of criteria when selecting his top three, focusing more on overall influence and impact rather than just individual records.
Kevin De Bruyne’s omission is perhaps the most contentious, as the Belgian has been the focal point of Manchester City’s dominance in recent years. His vision, passing, and playmaking ability have made him one of the best midfielders in the world, and his contributions have been instrumental in Manchester City’s successes. Nevertheless, Ferdinand’s preference for players like Gerrard and Keane, who delivered at the highest level over an extended period, led him to make the bold decision to leave De Bruyne out of his top three.
Throughout the podcast, Ferdinand made it clear that his rankings were not solely based on individual moments of brilliance or a single season’s worth of performances. Instead, his top three were chosen based on the players’ sustained excellence over the years, their leadership qualities, and their ability to elevate the teams around them. Ferdinand emphasized that his selections were based on a combination of factors, including overall impact on the Premier League, consistency at the top level, and the ability to perform in the most crucial of moments.
Ferdinand also noted that he felt some of the players in his top three had a unique influence on their respective teams. Roy Keane, for example, was known for his ability to inspire and lead his Manchester United teammates, while Scholes’ technical brilliance helped define United’s midfield for many years. Gerrard, too, had an almost magical ability to inspire his Liverpool side, even when the team was not always performing at its best
Joel Beya, Ferdinand’s co-host on the Rio Presents podcast, was left visibly stunned by Ferdinand’s decisions, particularly regarding the exclusion of De Bruyne. Beya, who was clearly taken aback by Ferdinand’s strong stance, attempted to challenge the choices, but Ferdinand remained resolute in his rankings. The debate between the two sparked a wider discussion among football fans, many of whom took to social media to voice their own opinions on the rankings.
For some, Ferdinand’s top three made perfect sense. The legendary status of Keane, Scholes, and Gerrard was enough to justify their places in the list, given their impact on their respective clubs and the Premier League as a whole. For others, the exclusion of players like De Bruyne and Lampard was hard to accept, with many feeling that these players’ records and individual brilliance deserved a place among the greatest
Rio Ferdinand’s ranking of the top three greatest midfielders in Premier League history has ignited a fascinating debate among fans and pundits alike. By excluding some of the most beloved and successful midfielders of the modern era, Ferdinand has sparked a conversation about what truly defines greatness in the Premier League. For Ferdinand, it is not just about individual accolades or statistics but the broader impact a player has on the league, their club, and the game as a whole.
While the debate will likely continue, Ferdinand’s top three—Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Steven Gerrard—remain a formidable and compelling choice. Whether or not fans agree with his rankings, there’s no denying the immense talent and influence these three players had on the Premier League, shaping the competition’s history for years to come.
