De Bruyne leaves for Naples

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Good news for us. He’s always tormented us. And just this week scored a classy goal against Connor Roberts’ wales.

He may be on the wane now. But what a player.

Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.

Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs

All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.

Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante

Similar but for a shorter period

Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.

Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.

Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.

Very hard to pick.

[Woodleyclaret]

A class player always dominated games against us and others. City will struggle without him

[jdrobbo]

Awesome player but picking a midfield is bloody hard.

Scholes and Rodri should also be in the discussion

[wadeswondergoal]

A class player always dominated games against us and others. City will struggle without him

I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Signed Cherki and Reijnders and still have the likes of Marmoush, Silva, Doku, Haaland, Foden etc as attacking threats.

[warksclaret]

We are fast becoming Naples source of new players-and it seems they all play very well once they have joined

[beddie]

I don’t enjoy playing City, especially away. I’ll miss De Bruyne in the PL though, he’s been an absolute joy to watch.

[Spijed]

Good news for us. He’s always tormented us. And just this week scored a classy goal against Connor Roberts’ wales.

He may be on the wane now. But what a player.

Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.

Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs

All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.

Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante

Similar but for a shorter period

Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.

Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.

Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.

Very hard to pick.

What about box-to-box midfielders such as Roy Keane?
Arguably one of the best at what he did.

[ollieclarets8]

I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Signed Cherki and Reijnders and still have the likes of Marmoush, Silva, Doku, Haaland, Foden etc as attacking threats.

Absolutely. They won't struggle just because he's left.

[Bullabill]

Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.

There's eleven in a team. One of the best could have several 'average battlers' in his team so he never wins a title. That's not his fault. Gerrard should be in that elite group.

[jlup1980]

No doubt KDB will be remembered as one of the very best.

Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.

It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!

[whiffa]

Gerrard should absolutely be in the elite list of greatest midfielders in the Premier League era, his trophies:

UEFA Champions League title (2005), two FA Cups (2001, 2006), and three League Cups (2001, 2003, 2012). He also won a UEFA Cup (2001), a UEFA Super Cup (2001), and an FA Community Shield (2006)

Discounting him for not winning the Premier League is a bit like discounting Messi before he won the World Cup with Argentina, doesn't make him any less of a player.

[Jakubclaret]

Absolutely. They won't struggle just because he's left.

You could put forward the argument that they struggled when he was there nevermind leaving. He's a shadow of his former self but throughout the years dynamite of a player.

[boyyanno]

Good news for us. He’s always tormented us. And just this week scored a classy goal against Connor Roberts’ wales.

He may be on the wane now. But what a player.

Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.

Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs

All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.

Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante

Similar but for a shorter period

Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.

Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.

Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.

Very hard to pick.

He's done enough to be up there with the best for me.
Gerrard and Yaya Toure definitely up there for me as well as Keane. In terms of just midfielders I think this is a pretty elite group:

Lampard
Gerrard
Scholes
Keane
Viera
Yaya Toure
De Bruyne

They'd then be followed by the likes of Silva, Fabregas, Kante etc.

[Goobs]

Ruling Gerrard out on account of not winning an EPL title smacks of just being anti-scouse to me.

He won the champions league for starters and some of those Liverpool squads around that time were dire. Without him they would have been where United and Spurs are at the moment IMO.

It's fine to say if you don't rate him but to use that as an excuse seems rather unfair. Personally I rated him above Scholes and Lampard but then I would rate Rodri and De Bruyne and Fabregas to name a few higher than him.

[AfloatinClaret]

Awesome player but picking a midfield is bloody hard...

Picking a GOAT midfielder's easy... His name's Blake, Robbie Blake

[jdrobbo]

Picking a GOAT midfielder's easy... His name's Blake, Robbie Blake

Well yes, that goes without saying haha

[Roosterbooster]

Best midfielder the PL has ever seen I think
Possibly the best player the PL has ever seen
Guardiola said there was only one player in the world better at passing than him, and he really is the GOAT

Always difficult to logically argue who's the best for most things
But De Bruyne is certainly up there

[ŽižkovClaret]

Does this risk ******* on McTominay's chips? Does he keep the No10 role and De Bryne sits back a little in No8?

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

What about box-to-box midfielders such as Roy Keane?
Arguably one of the best at what he did.

I thought I had him and vieira on my list. I should if i didnt!

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

No doubt KDB will be remembered as one of the very best.

Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.

It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!

Agreed on Rooney and Lampard!

Lampard would be my first pick in any team never mind midfield!

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Ruling Gerrard out on account of not winning an EPL title smacks of just being anti-scouse to me.

He won the champions league for starters and some of those Liverpool squads around that time were dire. Without him they would have been where United and Spurs are at the moment IMO.

It's fine to say if you don't rate him but to use that as an excuse seems rather unfair. Personally I rated him above Scholes and Lampard but then I would rate Rodri and De Bruyne and Fabregas to name a few higher than him.

Not at all. Not discounting him. But the reality is Lampard, Scholes, De Bruyne were the main men in incredible teams. That elevates them for me.

[Claretmisterg]

No doubt KDB will be remembered as one of the very best.

Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.

It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!

Fabregas is possibly worthy of inclusion in the overall list even though Arsenal didnt win the title while he was playing for them.

[Goobs]

Not at all. Not discounting him. But the reality is Lampard, Scholes, De Bruyne were the main men in incredible teams. That elevates them for me.

Think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. For example I would put Le Tissier up as an legend of the English game more because he was consistently superb for a very average team.

Otherwise you end up ranking someone like Nicky Butt above Jamie Redknapp (tin hat on)

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. For example I would put Le Tissier up as an legend of the English game more because he was consistently superb for a very average team.

Otherwise you end up ranking someone like Nicky Butt above Jamie Redknapp (tin hat on)

I don’t disagree. Le Tiss was exceptional. But if you are talking best ever prem players, surely they have to have won it?

It’s not like there aren’t ample top players who have won the league.

[Goobs]

I don’t disagree. Le Tiss was exceptional. But if you are talking best ever prem players, surely they have to have won it?

It’s not like there aren’t ample top players who have won the league.

Not for me. For me it is about the quality of the player not the team they played in.

[timshorts]

Not at all. Not discounting him. But the reality is Lampard, Scholes, De Bruyne were the main men in incredible teams. That elevates them for me.

Quite.

Alonso made him look good, but didn't get similar plaudits bexause he was Spanish not scouse. I'd pick Alonso over him any day.

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Not for me. For me it is about the quality of the player not the team they played in.

Gerrard wouldn’t even get in the top two English midfielders of his generation. IMO of course.

[Goobs]

Gerrard wouldn’t even get in the top two English midfielders of his generation. IMO of course.

I think it all comes down to what you want from a midfielder really. For me Gerrard had it all. Bottom box, won tackles, could pass a ball anywhere with accuracy, goal scorer from all over and a leader. Of nearly all those listed there is very few had his all round ability. Many players better in individual areas without doubt but few match his all round ability.

[ecc]

Le Tissier was a very good player but not the most consistent. He got away with it at Southampton.

[Targetman]

Gerrard wouldn’t even get in the top two English midfielders of his generation. IMO of course.

What was your previous username?

Asking for a friend.

[JohnMac]

KDB is one of the finest players I have seen at the Turf and must be in the top group of elite midfielders to have played in the PL. His boots seemed to be a few inches above the grass as he floated around the pitch.

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

What was your previous username?

Asking for a friend.

Fat Frank

[Quicknick]

All time midfields? Halley, Boyle and Watson.