Check out five greatest Premier League midfielders ever

One of the top leagues in the world, the English Premier League, has seen numerous midfield maestros who have gone on to redefine the game ever since its renaming and rebranding. Moving away from the typical English football style, Premier League midfielders have created an art in the heart of the midfield, converting normal and boring passes into magic. Not only were they breaking the lines and creating assists, but they were also box-to-box monsters and defensive shields. Here are the 5 greatest Premier League midfielders of all time to make the league wonderful. 

5. N'Golo Kanté (2015-present)

“71% of the Earth is covered by water, the rest is covered by N'Golo Kanté”

A quote by a fan that stayed throughout his career in the midfield of Leicester City and Chelsea. The 5'6" midfielder from the suburbs of Paris entirely revolutionized the defensive midfielder role in the English Premier League. A pocket dynamo at the heart of the defense, Kante accounted for 170+ tackles and 155+ interceptions in the 2015-16 season, a hard-to-break record in the English top flight. He won back-to-back Premier League titles while also winning the Champions League and Europa League with the Blues before he left England.

It was not only his on-field performances but also his infectious smile and humble demeanor off the pitch that made him a great player and a human. He was always termed to have three lungs to the extent that Claude Makelele applauded him, saying he was one of the best players ever. 

4. Paul Scholes (1993-2013)

Hailed as “The Ginger Prince", Paul Scholes is one of the most understated superstars in the history of the English Premier League. With more than 710 appearances and 150+ goals for the Red Devils, it paints only one part of the story. What the stats don't cover is his work rate and the sublime passes that he would make. Zidane and Xavi, two of the most decorated footballers, hailed him as one of the complete midfielders. 

Paul Scholes, during his tenure at Old Trafford, won 19 major trophies, including 11 Premier League titles, but it's the way he played that sets him apart. His tackling was called “enthusiastic” for his tackles, as he accumulated 97 yellow cards, but that was part of his charm. His range volley from outside the box usually defied physics, and his ability to perfectly arrive late made the player unique. 

3. Steven Gerrard (1998-2015)

One of the few players in the recent history of football, who embodied the spirit of only one club, Steven Gerrard carried the spirit of Liverpool for 17 years. Scoring over 120+ goals and 97 assists in 504 games for the Merseyside outfit, he dragged the side most of the time from the brink. Nobody can forget the “miracle of Istanbul” in 2005, which would not have been possible without Steven Gerrard. Though this is not a Premier League moment, this is the sheer willpower and inspiration the player brought to the table.

He was the king of long-range screamers, with 41 goals being from outside the box, but it was the leadership that shone. He could make a killer switch, 50-yard passes, and tackles that made him a complete midfielder. 

2. Kevin De Bruyne (2015-present)

The spine of the Manchester City midfield, the “Belgian Magician,” has redefined the way an attacking midfielder should operate in the midfield. Kevin de Bruyne has racked up astonishing numbers in the English top flight during his tenure at Manchester City. In 400 appearances, he has 103 goals and 171 assists with surgical precision. His 20 assists in the 2019-20 season matched Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s record. 

What also distinguishes him from other players is his passing, which splits the defense, the ball bent through time and space, and his ability to score goals in the late stages of the game. His vision is the greatest asset, with passes that most players would not even dream of attempting. 

1. Frank Lampard (2001-2015)

Hailed as “Super Frank,” Frank Lampard, often known for his longevity, scored over 175 goals and 100 assists in the Premier League. What set Lampard apart was the 165 appearances without being ruled out due to injury or any other reasons. These numbers are not of a striker but of a midfielder. 

During his stints at Chelsea, Everton, and Manchester City, the trademark was his set-piece expertise and arriving late in the box. Lampard was also a leadership package and scored double figures in the Premier League for ten consecutive seasons—a feat no midfielder has achieved. His partnership with Didier Drogba ended up producing 36 goals, being one of the most prolific assist-to-scorer combinations in the league's history.