From Gerrard to Lampard and Beckham to KDB, we’ve counted down the 50 best midfielders to ever play in the Premier League. Read on to see our complete ranking.

While forwards often get put in the spotlight, the midfield is the heart of a Premier League team. The best midfielders are agile tacticians who see the entire game and can run all day, able to deliver in high-pressure situations and even in the final moments. Some of the best Premier League players in history have taken up their post in the middle of the park, so we’ve decided to rank the best once and for all.

Our list is based on each player’s titles, awards, and statistics over the course of their Premier League career, with each midfielder earning a point value to rank them compared to their peers. Out of hundreds of players, only the top candidates made it onto our list. Here are our picks for the best midfielders in the history of the Premier League:

The best Premier League midfielders of all time: 20-11

We analysed all midfielders who’ve made at least 100 Premier League appearances, and ranked them on their accolades, legacy, stats, and more. Here are some of the legends that just missed out on our ranking of the 10 best Premier League midfielders of all time:

20. Paul Ince

Known for his defensive capabilities and physicality, Paul Ince’s work in the midfield for Manchester United saw him win the inaugural Premier League title in 1993 following its rebranding from the First Division. He would earn a second title with the team in 1994, and later played for Liverpool and Wolves before his retirement in 2007.

19. Phil Foden

On his debut in 2017, Phil Foden was the fourth-youngest player to have ever appeared in the Premier League. After nine seasons with Manchester City, he’s already one of the most successful midfielders in the league’s history with six titles to his name, and back-to-back Premier League Young Player of the Season awards in 2021 and 2022.

18. Yaya Touré

The younger brother of Premier League centre-back Kolo Touré, Yaya had already made a name for himself playing for Barcelona before he signed with Man City in 2010. His previous experience as a striker meant he performed well in a variety of midfield roles, taking City to three league titles over the course of his tenure and netting 21 match-winning goals for his side.

17. Gareth Barry

One of the longest-tenured midfielders in Premier League history, Gareth Barry debuted for Aston Villa in 1998. Following a 2009 transfer to Manchester City, he earned the club an FA Cup in 2011 and a Premier League title in 2012 before leaving for Everton. There, he was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2016, and later wrapped up his Premier League career with West Brom.

16. Mark Noble

A mainstay of West Ham United from 2004 to 2022, Mark Noble is one of the club’s most beloved players, earning the nickname “Mr. West Ham” – encouraged by winning Hammer of the Year in 2012 and 2014. Noble’s tactical discipline and quality on the ball made him a formidable opponent, and he’s widely regarded as one of the best players never to play for England.

15. David Beckham

Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, David Beckham’s 11-year run with Manchester United earned him six total Premier League titles and saw him become an international celebrity. Throughout his career, famous free kicks and crossing skills led to some of the most iconic goals in the club’s history.

14. Jordan Henderson

After making his Premier League debut for Sunderland in 2008, Jordan Henderson would earn recognition for his tenure at Liverpool from 2011 to 2023. He made an impression from his early days at the club, being named their Young Player of the Year in 2012, before eventually winning FWA’s Footballer of the Year in 2020 – the same year he took the Reds to a Premier League title.

13. Claude Makelele

Born in Kinshasa and raised in France, Claude Makelele played for top European clubs like Marseille and Real Madrid before signing with Chelsea in 2003. Over the next five seasons, his iconic defensive play made him a club legend. In fact, Makelele revolutionised the defensive midfielder role to such an extent that the position was colloquially named after the icon, and people still refer to the ‘Makelele role’ today. During his time in London, he helped the Blues win consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, being named Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year for his role in the latter.

12. Bruno Fernandes

Although he’s yet to win a Premier League title since signing with Manchester United in 2020, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes is recognised as one of the best players in his role today. A crafty playmaker, Fernandes has racked up huge goal and assist numbers during his time at Old Trafford, earning him the Premier League Player of the Month award four times, and a place on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2021.

11. James Milner

James Milner has played for six Premier League sides across a 23-year career, and earned three league titles in total – two with Manchester City and one with Liverpool. In 2010, he was named PFA’s Young Player of the Year. His ability to play a variety of midfield roles and his tireless stamina have made Milner a valuable asset throughout his career.

The 10 best Premier League midfielders of all time

But what about those who make it into our top ten Premier League midfielders ever? 

10. David Silva

Over his 10-year tenure at Manchester City, David Silva became one of the league’s most reliable and creative players. Scoring 60 goals and winning league titles for the club in his career, he was renowned for his technical ability around the box. These traits were crucial in setting up City’s success in the latter half of the 2010s.

Silva recorded the most assists of the 2011-12 Premier League season and was named Man City’s Player of the Season in 2017. He was also was named as part of PFA’s Team of the Year on three occasions throughout his time in the league. After three seasons with Real Sociedad following his departure from the Premier League, Silva retired from club football in 2023. 

9. Patrick Vieira

With a towering 6’4” frame, Frenchman Patrick Vieira was renowned as one of the best in the world in the heart of midfield. His Premier League career was primarily spent with Arsenal from 1996 to 2005, where he was a highly respected captain. In this time, he won three league titles, including an undefeated 2003-04 season that saw him play a key part in the ‘Invincibles’ team.

Elegant on the ball and ferocious off it, Vieira played a range of roles to a high level for Arsenal – often all at the same time. He was named Premier League Player of the Season in 2001, and was listed one of FIFA’s 100 greatest living footballers in 2004. His other accolades include six places on the PFA’s Team of the Year, and a 2022 Premier League Hall of Fame induction. 

8. Roy Keane

From 1993 to 2005, Roy Keane took up midfield duties for Manchester United during one of the most dominant spells in the club’s history – and captained the club from 1997. With his powerful defensive skills, and relentless energy, he earned seven Premier League titles over the course of his career. His battles with Vieira also provided the backbone to one of the greatest Premier League rivalries.

Keane is a Premier League Hall of Famer, and was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2000. He also made the PFA’s Team of the Year on five separate occasions.

7. Cesc Fàbregas

Cesc Fàbregas began his Premier League career with Arsenal, taking up a central midfield role from 2003 to 2011 and earning the honour of club captain. Following a few seasons playing in La Liga with Barcelona, he made his return to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2014 before leaving again in 2019. This second run led to him earning two league titles.

Fàbregas made his debut for Arsenal at the age of just 16 and was quickly thrust into a key role for the Gunners following Patrick Vieira’s departure from the club. The Catalan was typically deployed as a No. 10 for Arsenal and contributed plenty of goals and assists, but was equally adept at playing in a more defensive role and was very effective as a deep-lying playmaker during his spell at Chelsea.

Alongside his titles, Fàbregas has been celebrated with a range of other accolades. Among them are a PFA Young Player of the Year title in 2008, two Premier League Player of the Month titles, and two Arsenal Player of the Season awards. 

6. N’Golo Kanté

French defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté’s career in England got off to an impressive start when he won the Premier League title against all odds in his debut season as part of Leicester City’s iconic 2015/2016 team. He then won a second title in the next year after signing with Chelsea, where he would spend the remainder of his time in English football until 2023.

Kanté is famed for his endless stamina and work rate in the middle of the park. While diminutive in stature, the Frenchman was a tackling machine for both Leicester and Chelsea, endlessly breaking up opposition attacks. Despite only occasionally chipping in with goals, Kanté was an efficient passer of the ball and extremely tactically aware.

He was named Leicester City’s Players’ Player of the Season for his role in their victory, and his first season with Chelsea won him particular acclaim. In 2017, Kanté was named FWA Footballer of the Year, Chelsea’s Players’ Player of the Year, and French Player of the Year. 

5. Ryan Giggs

When it comes to Premier League titles, nobody knows success like Giggs. He has won more titles than any other midfielder on our list – or any player, for that matter. The Welshman spent his whole senior career playing for Manchester United, from 1990 to 2014, where he earned a record-breaking 13 Premier League wins.

Often cited as one of the best wingers in the history of the league, Giggs was a feared left-sided midfielder who was formidable in one-on-one scenarios. Later in his career he was used in a more central role, but his pace and dribbling in his prime made him one of the best Premier League players ever.

Giggs was named PFA Young Player of the Year twice in a row in 1992 and 1993, later winning their Players’ Player of the Year in 2009, and claimed six places on their Team of the Year. In 2009, he was also named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

4. Paul Scholes

As a key player for Manchester United from 1995 to 2013, Paul Scholes is one of the most successful midfielders in Premier League history, having won 11 titles over the course of his career. The Premier League Hall of Fame inductee scored more than 100 goals and recorded over 50 assists for his club.

Scholes’ technical skills made him a fantastic player, able to control the pace of a game with ease. Scholes was a phenomenal player in both attacking and deeper areas and although his tackling often saw him enter the referee’s book, he was a fierce competitor for a dominant Man Utd side. For his individual play, Scholes was named on PFA’s Team of the Year in 2003 and 2007, as well as winning Manchester United’s Goal of the Season in the latter year for a belter against Aston Villa. 

3. Kevin De Bruyne

Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, affectionately known by fans as KDB, has proven to be one of the greatest midfielders of the last decade and is the highest-ranked active player on our list. As the centrepiece of Manchester City’s team, he has helped the side win six Premier League titles, cementing them as a dominant force in modern English football.

Regarded as one of the most well-rounded performers in the Premier League today, De Bruyne is both a prolific goalscorer and playmaker in midfield. He’s a brilliant passer and has also scored some spectacular long-range strikes during his City tenure.

In his 10 years since joining Man City, KDB has won countless awards and titles. He has been named Premier League Playmaker of the Season three times, Premier League Player of the Season twice, PFA Player’s Player of the year twice, Man City Player of the Season four times, and a member of PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year five times. With his contract up this summer, he’ll be sorely missed by the Citizens. 

2. Frank Lampard

No midfielder in Premier League history has scored more goals than Frank Lampard, who became one of Chelsea’s defining players from 2001 to 2014. He won three Premier League titles with the club, with his finishing ability leading to 61 match-winning goals across his time playing in the top flight.

Lampard has won numerous accolades for his play, including Premier League Player of the Season, FWA Footballer of the Year, and FWA Fans’ Player of the Year all in 2005. He was named Premier League Player of the Month on four separate occasions, and Chelsea Player of the Year in 2004, 2005, and 2009.

Renowned for his technical skill in midfield and true box-to-box prowess, Lampard had the stamina and awareness to always place pressure on his opponents. His free kicks and ability from the penalty spot also made him a regular scorer from set pieces. Lampard was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021. 

1. Steven Gerrard

Held in high regard for his leadership capabilities, versatility on the field, and prolific goalscoring, Steven Gerrard is heralded by many as the greatest ever midfielder in the history of the Premier League. Although his 17 seasons in the league didn’t yield a title win, he was consistently recognised as one of the league’s finest players.

Spending his whole Premier League career with Liverpool, Gerrard has become a club legend for the Reds, earning their Player of the Season title four times and being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021. His further accolades include PFA’s Young Player of the Year in 2001 and their Players’ Player of the Year in 2005, as well as eight places on their Premier League Team of the Year, and two Fans’ Player of the Year awards.

While most of Liverpool’s success with Gerrard was in competitions outside of the Premier League such as the FA Cup and Champions League, his consistently impressive performances across the board and critical acclaim for his play earn him the top spot on our list of the best midfielders in the competition’s history.

Who else ranks among the best Premier League midfielders of all time?

With so many players across the history of the league, there are always bound to be some major snubs from our top 20. If your favourite player didn’t make the list, or if you’re curious to see who missed out on a spot, you can see our full top 50 below: 

Our list features some of the most tactical playmakers to ever play in the Premier League, but there are sure to be changes to the rankings over time. As new players join, and legends retire, you never know who will make a name for themselves next. For now, at least, these players have carved their names into the history books of the Premier League as some of the best midfielders ever. 

Looking to keep up with all the Premier League action this season? Check out all the latest Premier League betting odds, and coverage of all the biggest markets across the competition. Alternatively, explore the best Premier League goalkeepers and greatest ever Premier League defenders.

Methodology

To rank all Premier League players (who’ve made 100+ Premier League appearances), we considered the following factors: 

All players were ranked for each factor; and, for each, data was then normalised, to assign each player a score between 0-1. All normalised data was then combined and multiplied, to give each player a total index score out of 100. Players were then ranked according to their combined index score.

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• Source: https://blog.betway.com/football/premier-league/the-best-premier-league-midfielders-of-all-time/