Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane are two of the greatest midfielders of the Premier League era - but the two legends have different views when it comes to who deserves the title of the greatest.
Gerrard never won a Premier League title, despite his best efforts, during 17 years as a Liverpool player. For some fans and pundits alike, this means he can’t be considered the greatest midfielder in Premier League history. Others disagree, pointing to his talismanic performances, 120 Premier League goals, and eight appearances in PFA Premier League Teams of the Year as reasons why he deserves to be called the greatest.
And then there’s Roy Keane, arguably the greatest captain of the Premier League era who inspired Manchester United to seven league titles under Sir Alex Ferguson. While his goals and assists tally may pale in comparison to other midfielder icons, the Irishman played an integral role in the Red Devils’ success in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In GiveMeSport’s rankings, Paul Scholes was selected as the greatest midfielder in Premier League history by virtue of his technical qualities, his output, plus the fact he won a remarkable 11 league titles - a tally only bettered by legendary winger Ryan Giggs (13).
Next was Gerrard, followed by Chelsea hero Frank Lampard in third, Giggs in fourth, and former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne in fifth. Keane had to settle for seventh place, just behind his old nemesis Patrick Vieira.
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Keane and Gerrard Give Their Picks
Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard
Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard
But who do Keane and Gerrard think is the greatest midfielder in Premier League history? The pair were asked by The Overlap.
Roy Keane's Pick: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne - Man City
A slightly surprising choice by Keane, perhaps, although it’s hard to imagine that he would have picked himself. It’s also hard to imagine that he would have chosen between his former teammates.
A winner of six Premier League titles, and arguably the best passer we’ve seen in England’s top division, De Bruyne certainly belongs in the conversation when it comes to the greatest-ever Premier League midfielder.
Steven Gerrard's Pick: Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Gerrard took a moment to think about it but then named Roy Keane as the greatest.
He might be Liverpool through and through, but Gerrard is able to appreciate what an incredible force of nature Keane was during his peak years. Nobody could match his will to win. Watch the clip below: