When Pep Guardiola Ended the Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard Debate

 

Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Frank Lampard 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has settled the age-old debate about who the best midfielder is: Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Frank Lampard. The three English midfielders enjoyed great success in their clubs and have always been compared with each other during and after their playing days. Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Frank Lampard are regarded as the Premier League's greatest players.  Although the trio excelled in their clubs, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, they never found the same success at the international level. All three midfielders were from the same generation, which means that England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson could not fit all three into the same team.  The Three Lions suffered as a result, failing to win any major trophy because the coach didn't find a way to use all of them. Scholes was the most successful among them at the club level, with 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns. Lampard won three league titles and the 2012 Champions League, while Gerrard failed to win the league. However, he helped them win the famous 2005 Champions League final. Scholes said the Liverpool icon is the best because he was a match-winner. "He's an athlete. I think he was more of a match winner, but he was playing in a team where he probably had to be. I was more part of a team...I wouldn't be able to do what he did at Liverpool," he said via The Mirror.  Guardiola settles Scholes, Gerrard Lampard debate In an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, the former Barcelona boss chose Scholes. "All respect to Frank [Lampard], to Steven [Gerrard] but Paul Scholes is my favourite one. I love it. I think he had everything but the other two, come on, Frank and Steven Gerrard changed this. Paul Scholes is my favourite," he said via Manchester Evening News. 

by  Edwin Kiplagat