Wayne Rooney has named the five players in Premier League history who he considers to be the “complete” midfielders. The former Manchester United and England star also named the midfielder he believes is the most complete from the Premier League era.
Rooney found no room in his top five for a host of legendary midfielders including his former Man Utd teammate Roy Keane. Other big names to miss out include Manchester City icons Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Yaya Toure, along with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Rodri, Claude Makelele and plenty more.
Speaking on the latest episode of his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer said: “When you’re talking about the complete midfield player, there are five in the Premier League: four I played with and one I didn’t.” Let’s take a look at who he selected…
Rooney's Top 5 Midfielders in Premier League History
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard in action for Liverpool Legends
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders of the Premier League era - despite the fact he never managed to get his hands on the trophy. Named in the PFA Team of the Year on eight occasions, Gerrard was worth his weigh in gold to the Merseyside outfit during his 17 years as a senior player.
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Hailed by some of the greatest footballers of all time, including Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi, Paul Scholes has won more Premier League titles (11) than every player in the competition’s history, with the exception of his old teammate Ryan Giggs.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick Man Utd
Manchester United’s current interim manager and an ex-teammate Rooney still considers a close friend, Michael Carrick did the simple things consistently well during his spells with West Ham, Tottenham and the Red Devils.
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira
A man mountain, Patrick Vieira played an integral role in Arsenal’s Premier League triumphs in 1998, 2002 and 2004 under Arsene Wenger.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard - 2004-05
The highest-scoring midfielder in Premier League history with a staggering 177 goals, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard outscored revered forwards like Thierry Henry, Robbie Fowler, Jermain Defoe and Michael Owen.
Rooney Names Most Complete Midfielder in Premier League History
Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney
Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney
Rooney went on to explain why Gerrard is the most complete midfielder of them all. He added: “The complete midfield player out of all of them, it has to be Gerrard
"He could do everything. I think he's played at full-back, he's played midfield, he's played as a (number) ten. He could tackle, he can shoot, he can dictate the game, he can hit long passes.
"We saw him in that period with [Fernando] Torres, where he's become more the assist man for Torres. He had everything as a midfield player. I would have loved to have seen him at Man United.
"I think in terms of a midfield player that can do everything, he has to be the one you pick."