Best Premier League Midfielders of all Time: Top 10 Ranked

The English Premier League is renowned worldwide as the most physical competition, where the highest quality of football is played. From the best coaches to the best players and clubs, the English top division is widely regarded as one of the best football leagues in the world. Due to the league's elite standards, it has been home to some of the best Premier League midfielders of all time. Among these legends are the midfielders who run the game on their own and are known for pulling the strings on the field with flying colours and skills.

These elite Premier League midfielders were so complete throughout the years that they could change matches single-handedly. In this article, we will be preparing a star-studded list of the best Premier League midfielders ever. Midfielders can create, defend, and carry the ball independently, almost seeming too good for their positions. The midfield is considered the team’s engine; only gifted players can orchestrate the work needed in tight spaces. Let's dive deep into the list of the best midfield players to grace the English league.

List of Best Premier League Midfielders Ever

From the effortless magic of David Silva and Cesc Fabregas to the elegance and vision of Kevin De Bruyne, the playstyle of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard always pouncing on loose balls. There are plenty of elite class names on the list of the top 10 greatest Premier League midfielders based on their contribution, trophies won, and their impact on the team’s success.

Best Premier League Midfielders of All Time: Ranking Factors

Here are the ranking factors that we have considered before ranking the names of the best Premier League midfielders ever: These factors are goal contribution, number of times they won the title, and impact on the team.

• Goal Contributions: The primary parameter considered while ranking the Premier League best midfielders is goal contribution, which helped us in determining the ranking of the players. This factor includes goals and assists, passing accuracy, and key chances.
• Premier League Trophies: To measure the greatness of the Premier League midfielders, we have included this factor in our list. This will work as a tiebreaker between players having almost the same stats, as it further adds to the glitter to the player's portfolio.
• Impact on the Team: This factor has helped us determine the player’s role or his significance on the pitch during tight games. Whether they can keep their calm and composure during tense times against tough rivals or not. It's by far the most crucial factor.

Who are the Best Midfielders in Premier League History?

Before we start ranking the best midfielders in Premier League, we want to make you aware that these rankings are completely based on the above criterion given – we’ve considered players who have played at least 100 games in the Premier League & they were present in the league for more than 1 season with their respective club.

10. Rodri (Spain)

While some may question Rodri’s entry on this list, he is still the only Ballon d’Or winner in this list. The Spanish midfield ace Rodri came from Atletico Madrid to the Premier League as one of the most expensive midfielders. He solidified his place by taking over Fernandinho in the City midfield. Rodri has cemented his place as one of the best midfielders for years now in the league.

The 2024 UEFA Euro is exceptional at dictating the speed of play, winning balls with his immense strength, and giving important through balls, leading to goals. Four successive Premier League titles and scored in the UEFA Champions League final, helping Man City win the 2022-23 treble. Rodri held the record for being unbeaten for an entire year and has put midfielders back on the map in the same league of players who could win their teams the match.

9. Cesc Fabregas (Spain)

Arriving from prestigious La Masia academy, Cesc Fabregas was a force to be reckoned with at his prime. He was brought to the Premier League by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, and the midfielder immediately impressed the fans with how effortlessly he made the most difficult passes. He is currently the third-highest assist provider in the league with 111 assists to his name, alongside 50 goals and two Premier League titles for Chelsea and Arsenal.

Fabregas’s solo goal against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, just seconds into the second half, remains one of the most iconic moments of the North London Derby. He also had iconic moments for Chelsea, when he scored a late winner in their 2015-16 title-winning campaign against QPR in the dying minutes of the game. Fabregas has scored 50 goals and provided 117 assists throughout his time in England. The Spaniard midfielder has been remembered as one of the best Chelsea midfielders of all time.

8. Roy Keane (England)

When mentioning Premier League best midfielders, the former Manchester United captain Roy Keane is a name symbolic. His playing style of a no-nonsense, old-school, and physical player who gave everything on the field. The Irishman was a figure of respect and fear amongst his rivals. Keane had several iconic battles with Patrick Viera, with the duo going end-to-end to win matches and leagues. He spent over a decade at Old Trafford and won 7 league titles.

He is regarded as one of the greatest captains in football history. Roy Keane’s aggression had impressed Sir Alex Ferguson, who signed him from Nottingham Forrest, and he fit right into the United midfield to lead them into one of their golden eras. He was one of the most dominant figures of his time and played for the Red Devils fearlessly before he finished his career at Celtic. Hence, the defensive midfielder icon is hailed as greatest midfielders in Premier League.

7. David Silva (Spain)

Known as ‘El Mago, ‘ Silva had a gifted touch on the ball that helped him exploit tight spaces and destroy defences like they were not in front of him. With the duo combining, Silva had the most iconic partnership with the 5th all-time highest scorer in the league, Sergio Aguero. One of the finest Premier League midfielders, Silva is one of the highest assist providers in the league with 93 contributions to his name.

In his time in the Premier League with Manchester City, David Silva won four league titles and left the league as a legend and icon of the game. He was also a key figure with Spain national football team and was often named the Team of the Year, further underlining his quality. Silva and Toure led the charge for Manchester City’s resurgence in the league, and the Spanish icon is considered amongst the best Spanish players to grace the EPL.

6. Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

The Manchester City icon Yaya Toure is one of the greatest footballers from Africa, due to the fact that he was magical to watch. His stature allowed him to play in defence in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final for Barcelona, and he won the treble. Later, he moved on to become one of the biggest names for Manchester City. Yaya Toure was one of those players who announced himself on the top stage in English football.

He was allowed to lead the charge for early success at City and would have one of the best seasons ever for a midfielder in the 2013-14 season. The Ivorian Coast icon scored 20 goals, which was the most ever by a midfielder, and assisted 9 times in the season, scoring goals all by himself or through set pieces. He won the African Player of the Year four times, winning 3 Premier League titles in his time. Hence, one of the greatest African footballers also finds a place in the list.

5. Patrick Vieira (France)

The French icon Patrick Vieira is regarded as one of greatest Arsenal players of all time. He played a key role in leading them to the Invincibles season and was a powerhouse in the middle of the pitch. Deployed as a defensive midfielder, his strength helped him make runs through the opposition’s attack, score goals on his own, or set up his teammates. The three-time Premier League champion was almost impossible to mark and could easily take the ball off players.

The Frenchman won three league titles with Arsenal and then transferred to Manchester City later in his career. Throughout his decade-long stint in the English Premier League, Vieira came and left like a star, with all eyes on him whenever he started a match. He is still known for his iconic battles against Roy Keane, where the two put everything on the line to win. Over 300 appearances in the English top flight, and he managed to score 31 goals and provide 35 assists in total.

4. Steven Gerrard (England)

The English icon Steven Gerrard is another iconic name of the Premier League, famous for leading the Merseyside giants Liverpool. While he never won a league title, he helped the Reds win other domestic trophies and the Champions League in 2005. He was known for his all-around game and ability to score screamers from far-off distances. Gerrard has cemented his place as one of the best midfielders in Premier League. He is also regarded as one of the best English footballers of all time.

The ex-Liverpool captain's playmaking ability was also second to none, and he often shifted in the defence. In a career spanning almost two decades for the Reds, Gerrard scored over 120 times and provided nearly 100 assists, making iconic partnerships with Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez. During his time in the Premier League, the English player has scored 121 goals and provided 97 assists, though the trophy cabinet remains empty for Steven Gerrard.

3. Frank Lampard (England)

Widely renowned as one of the best Premier League midfielders ever, Frank Lampard was a Premier League great, starting his career at West Ham and then immediately being picked up by Chelsea. At Chelsea, he was a box-to-box midfielder playing 611 matches, scoring 177 goals and providing 114 assists in the league. Only midfielder to appear in the top-appearances, top-assist, and top-goal-scoring lists of the EPL. He eventually established himself as the greatest Chelsea player ever.

The England legend was also a versatile player, playing in all midfield positions and lifting the league three times with West London side Chelsea and the UEFA Champions League. Lampard ended his career with a season at Manchester City before moving to Major League Soccer. Frank could hit long shots and had almost a poaching ability, being a midfielder coach relied upon for scoring goals. 611 appearances of Frank Lampard tell how important a player he was for the Blues.

2. Paul Scholes (England)

Paul Scholes has cemented his place as one of the greatest Manchester United players of all time; as a result, his place is guaranteed on this list. Known for his passing and composure on the ball, he could provide inch-perfect crosses and long balls, which often changed the course of the match. His longevity is another thing that showcases his quality of being an engine in the midfield for two different golden generations at Old Trafford. One of the best Premier League midfielders of all time for his performance and dominance in the English top division.

Scholes has the most 11 Premier League titles on this list, with him providing 61 assists as a central midfielder and scoring 107 times in nearly 500 appearances in total. Scholes was a midfield icon for nearly two decades and has the third-highest number of yellow cards in the competition at 97, showcasing that he would often put in tackles but still be in attack. The Englishman is in a different conversation as midfielders during the 90s and 00s were more complete and had more duties than midfielders in the current era.

1. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

At first, we have the Belgian icon Kevin De Bruyne, who stepped into the Premier League as someone who would have led the Chelsea midfield in 2012. He was signed from Genk on deadline day for Jose Mourinho’s side, but would never be able to make his place at the London club. Frustrated after making just three appearances in the league despite providing an assist, he was sold. However, his time at Manchester City was remarkable.

Nonetheless, he would live up to his potential in Germany for two years before moving back to the Premier League in the 2015-16 season under Manuel Pellegrini. He stepped back into the League as a transformed player and would go on to become one of the best Manchester City players of all time in the next decade, lifting six EPL titles. De Bruyne has led the charge for City’s magnificent midfield, assisting from angles that would make short passes for many. At Eithad, he cemented himself as the best Premier League midfielder of all time.