Since its creation in 1992, the premier football league has been home to many top-notch midfielders. The premier league’s midfield position is undoubtedly the most technical in football. Over the years, the premier league has seen an incredible array of talented stars.
We take a look at the Premier League’s greatest midfielders. These fifteen players have won plaudits, hearts, and matches. They also inspire future generations to take up the game.
The highly sought-after Premier League title has been won by almost all the players on this list, although it was not easy for some. Below are 15 of the greatest EPL midfielders.
15. James Milner
- Titles of EPL: 3
- Appearances: 566
- Goals: 55
- Assists: 85
Milner is perhaps best known for his versatility. Aged 16 years and 356 days, he became the youngest goalscorer of the Premier League era, breaking Wayne Rooney’s short-lived record. After winning the PFA Young Player Award, he was signed to Manchester City, where he won two PL titles.
He later joined Liverpool where he’s added a third league title. In total, he’s played in 566 PL matches and has scored 55 goals as well as providing 85 assists. Milner is still a strong player for the club and he will continue to increase his impressive stature.
14. Michael Essien
- Titles of EPL: 2
- Appearances: 168
- Goals: 17
- Assists: 10
The Ghanaian was a huge part of the beginning of Chelsea’s dominance in the Premier League and easily one of the best of his generation. The beauty of Essien’s game was his seeming ability to do it all: he could pick a pass, bomb forward as a box-to-box midfielder or provide a shield for the defense with relative ease.
He was a great goal scorer for Chelsea, and was well-known for playing in every position except keeper. In 168 appearances, he won two PL titles.
13. Ngolo Kante
- Titles from the EPL 2
- Appearances: 197
- Goals: 11
- Assists: 12
Kante, who led Chelsea to a Champions League title recently, is the only player to have won 2 consecutive Premier League titles with two different teams in EPL history.
His first league title, with Leicester City, was his biggest surprise in sports history. After moving to Chelsea, he won his second title.
The World Cup winner is still considered one of the most influential defensive midfielders in history and continues to rock the Premier League.
12. Michael Carrick
- Titles from the EPL 5
- Appearances: 481
- Goals: 24
- Assists: 32
Man United’s unsung hero! Carrick was the unappreciated deep-lying midfielder. He was different than his compatriots. His skill set was subtler and less match-winning.
He won five PL titles with United, which was a remarkable achievement. He also played 481 matches for Tottenham, West Ham and Man United.
11. Kevin De Bruyne
- Titles from the EPL 3
- Appearances: 182
- Goals: 42
- Assists: 78
He is arguably the Premier League’s best passer. He was a player for Chelsea, but he is currently a Manchester City player.
De Bruyne is first Premier League player to have provided 15+ assists in all three campaigns. That’s just outrageous. He is the best playmaker in the league and a versatile midfielder around the globe.
It is amazing how he can find his teammates with the most bizarre deliveries to the box. He holds 3 Premier League titles, and there are more.
10. Claude Makélélé
- Titles of EPL: 2
- Appearances: 144
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 3
Makélélé was one of the key men in Chelsea’s 2004/05 title-winning side which conceded only 15 goals throughout the Premier League campaign – a record low in the English top-flight. As a central-ball-winning midfielder, he was a playmaker with deep pockets.
Makelelee was so great that Chelsea named a position after him. He made the defensive midfield spot his own at Chelsea. “The Makélélé role” is used to describe a midfielder who is willing to sit in front of the back four, rarely progressing beyond his fellow midfielders and, generally, sacrificing a shot at personal glory for the good of the team.
9. Yaya Toure
- Titles from the EPL 3
- Appearances: 230
- Goals: 59
- Assists: 35
One of the colossal figures in Manchester City’s relatively recent history, Yaya Toure was a one-man show. He was a gifted Ivorian with a wide range of skills that enabled him to dominate all games. Toure was unstoppable in his day. His incredible skills and physique put him ahead most other midfielders of his era.
His dominant presence in the middlefield served as cover for the backline. However, his superb ball control and technique enabled him to easily pass opponents. Touré might have been signed as a holding midfielder, but with each passing season, the Premier League saw one of the most versatile and complete midfielders to have ever graced its shores.
Toure was technically an engineer room. He is well-known as one of EPL’s greatest midfielders and as one of its strongest players.
8. Cesc Fabrégas
- Titles from the EPL 2
- Appearances: 350
- Goals: 50
- Assists: 111
Although he played for Arsenal and Chelsea, his greatest success was in the blue half London. He will be remembered for being the premier league’s greatest playmaker. He took the Premier League to a rousing start at a young age, and he has not looked back.
He later left Arsenal to join Barcelona, and then returned to the Premier League for Chelsea with an amazing 19 assists.
Fabregas was a metronome like no other. His ability to control the pace of play transformed Chelsea. Fabregas was a fun-loving opponent every week.
7. Roy Keane
- Titles from the EPL 7
- Appearances: 366
- Goals: 39
- Assists: 32
Roy Keane was the most successful Premier League captain of all time. He operated from the middle of the midfield and was a mystery.
Keane was a winner with Manchester United. However, it was Nottingham Forest where he was able to learn the art and craftsmanship of football. The legendary Irishman is perceived as a traditional holding midfield player and didn’t attack often.
In many aspects of his prime, he was unsurpassed in his time, especially in the areas of aggressive play on the pitch or winning the ball back. Keane was able carry the ball higher up, break opponents attacks, and cover every grass blade on the field. Keane was a puzzle in his own right.
6. David Silva
- Titles from the EPL 4
- Appearances: 309
- Goals: 60
- Assists: 93
The fact that he has a statue outside Manchester City’s stadium in his honor shows he’s quite a legend. The Spaniard played a pivotal role in making the dream of winning the Premier League title a reality.
Silva scored eight goals and assisted 19 times in 49 matches across all competitions, as City beat Manchester United to the title.
Silva has a unique knowledge of the game. Silva’s ability to place himself between the lines and operate in those areas, while resisting opposition press is remarkable.
He can dribble past opposing players and has an impeccable touch that allows him to maneuver through tight spaces with ease.
5. Patrick Vieira
- Titles of EPL: 3
- Appearances: 307
- Goals: 31
- Assists: 31
He was a key part of that “Invincibles” Arsenal team that won the Premier League unbeaten. Deciphered as a ‘cautious’ midfielder, the transcending Frenchman was basically a box-to-box administrator who ruled the center of the pitch. He was a nightmare for opposing players because of his extraordinary rawness and incredible physicality.
Vieira was an outstanding player because of a variety of reasons. These included his strategic intelligence and his ability to read the game.
Many would classify him as a traditional defensive middlefielder. But he was so much more. His extraordinary physique and athleticism allowed him to win the ball back with ease.
He was able to participate in the build up, sprint forward into the box and score crucial goals from distance. Vieira was part of three Premier League winning teams and received the Player of the Year award. He is widely regarded as one of the PL’s greatest captains.
4. Ryan Giggs
- Titles from the EPL 13
- Appearances: 632
- Goals: 109
- Assists: 162
Giggs has won the Premier League title 13 times, making him the player with the most. Only two English league champions have won more than the Welshman. This is insane! He was part of Manchester United’s famous Class of ’92 and played for there his entire career.
He became the one familiar face in Ferguson’s ever-changing Manchester United side. Giggs was an integral component of every one of these sides, even though Sir Alex found a way for him to rejuvenate them throughout his career. Giggs was Fergie’s legendary lieutenant.
He holds the record for the most assists in the league with 162 for United.
3. Frank Lampard
- Titles from the EPL 3
- Appearances: 609
- Goals: 177
- Assists: 102
He played for West Ham and Chelsea during his time in the Premier League. He’s widely regarded as Chelsea’s greatest player of all time. The very fact that he’s the only midfielder on the list of 10 highest goal scorers in Premier League history, speaks volumes about his goal-scoring threat.
His ability to hit the ball in both open and dead-ball situations was unmatched. Lampard’s versatility and longevity were pivotal in the influence he mustered on the pitch. Lampard has the advantage in pure numbers, and could even be the greatest.
His 177 goals and 102 assists mean that he’s one of only three players to have 100+ goals and assists in the league. He was a three-time Premier League winner and also won the Player of the Year award in 2004/05 for his stellar season. He is undoubtedly a legend in the league and the game.
2. Steven Gerrard
- Titles of EPL: 0
- Appearances: 504
- Goals: 120
- Assists: 92
The fact that he ranks second despite being the only player on this list without a PL title is a testament to Gerrard’s footballing ability. He’s undoubtedly Liverpool’s most exceptional player in the Premier League era. He’s also arguably the most complete midfielder in the league. He was the number one player on this list and was also a member of only one club.
Gerrard could play all positions in midfield, including box to box and defensive tackles. He was also a great runner and he could make quick runs. His leadership and influential qualities were what made him famous. Steve G moments include his long-range strikes, which were mainly at the last second.
His most remarkable aspect was his ability to perform in difficult situations. He came close to winning the league title in the 2013/14 season and if it weren’t for his famous slip against Chelsea, he probably would have added a PL title to his incredible collection of trophies.
He is one of the most iconic figures in the sport and will be remembered as one the greatest midfielders of all-time.
1. Paul Scholes
- Titles from the EPL 11
- Appearances: 499
- Goals: 107
- Assists: 55
The Premier League’s greatest midfielder. The Englishman was at the heart of Manchester United’s most illustrious period. He could do almost everything, from passing long to passing short, shooting from far out to shooting from close in. He was strong, had vision, and could keep the ball. He could have tackled, and he would have been decent.
During his time at Man United, Scholes won an amazing 11 Premier League titles. Scholes was lauded because he could play many roles and had the positional knowledge to do so.
Legendary Englishman, the legendary Englishman, was a master playmaker. He combined his unmatched vision with almost perfect execution. His teammates were able to find him quickly with breathtaking passes that opened defenses.
He was a one club man who loved United so much that he retired in 2011/12 to assist the Red Devils with their injuries. In 2012, he signed a short-term contract at 36. In his final hurrah, he remained on as United won the title for the third year.
Scholes has racked up 107 goals, 55 assists and 11 league titles in his 499 Premier League games. Paul Scholes is an incredible Premier League player and one the best of his generation.
Other positions: The best Premier League players