The age-old argument over which of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Paul Scholes is the best midfielder will never be resolved, but who does Aaron Lennon, a former player for Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, and England, believe was the best?
Each of the three made a lasting impact on English football and established themselves as Premier League legends in their own right: Lampard’s goals were extraordinary, Gerrard was the fulcrum of a faltering Liverpool team, and Scholes won eleven championships.
Pep Guardiola and Thierry Henry of Manchester City are in awe of Scholes’ innate brilliance, former engine room teammates Cesc Fabregas and Bryan Robson are in the Gerrard side, and none other than Sergio Aguero is a huge admirer of Chelsea royalty, Lampard.
Lennon Provides the Final Response to the Age-Old Debate
“Without inquiry.” He had everything for me.
Whether you want a midfielder to be a box-crashing presence, a box-to-box workhorse, or a magician from deep, the answer to the three-person debate really boils down to personal preference. If you support Chelsea, Liverpool, or Manchester United, you may also have a slight bias towards your team.
In an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Lennon, who is considered by many to be one of the best wingers in Tottenham Hotspur history, limited his choices to Gerrard, who is cherished by the Anfield supporters for his unwavering devotion.
It was Stevie for me. Without inquiry. He was one of the best players I’ve ever played with, and in my opinion, he had it all. Players can’t just pick up the game and run the entire game from the middle of the field, as far as I can tell.
The former winger, waxing poetic about his influence, maintained that having the intimidating Scouser on his side was always advantageous, regardless of the game mode, be it small-sided or 11 vs. 11.
The 21-cap England international stated, “Even in training, if I’m on Stevie’s squad, we’re going to win today.” He continued, “I felt Stevie had that influence on the session, whether it was possession or a small-sided game, whether it was an 11 vs. 11 or something else entirely.
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The former wide player’s international career lasted from 2006 to 2013, during which time Lennon played alongside Gerrard for the Three Lions 18 times. In a 6-0 triumph over Jamaica at Old Trafford in early February 2006, they shared the pitch for the first time.
Despite their closeness on the international scene, Lennon and Gerrard never played for the same team at the club level. However, they faced each other eight times, with three victories and two draws between the two Englishmen.
One of Liverpool’s greatest players ever, Gerrard was not only physically dominant but also possessed unmatched technical and on-the-ball skills. It’s also important to recognise the intangible aspects of his game, such as his ability to set the pace.
