One of the biggest debates in English football, one that still rages today, is who was the better player: Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard? The question is one that has split opinions throughout the sport, with fans, players and pundits offering their takes on the subject.

All three shone in the Premier League. Scholes represented Manchester United and was key to their success throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Gerrard was Liverpool through and through, guiding the Merseyside club to the promised land on multiple occasions throughout the 2000s and 2010s, and Lampard first impressed at West Ham United before becoming a Chelsea legend, known for his goalscoring exploits as the Blues wrestled control of the Premier League from United during the 2000s and 2010s.

All three were very different kinds of players, but they’ve been compared to one another for two decades now. Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva was the latest former player to give his opinion on the trio and he ranked them from worst to best during an appearance on the podcast, From My Left.

Gilberto’s Ranking of Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard

During his appearance on the From My Left podcast, Gilberto was tasked with ranking Patrick Vieira with Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard. The Brazilian wasted no time ranking his former teammate in first place, before then moving onto the English trio. In first place, he picked Scholes.

The two did battle during Arsenal’s rivalry with United in the early 2000s, with the two teams competing for the Premier League title. The ex-Gunner even went on to describe Scholes as the toughest player he ever had to face off against. Speaking about the former United star, he said:

Scholes is considered the best midfielder in Premier League history, so there won’t be many who disagree with Gilberto’s decision to rank him ahead of Gerrard and Lampard. In second place, he picked the Liverpool man. Over the years, Gerrard earned a reputation for his ability to lead Liverpool through the toughest of circumstances. He is beloved by the Reds faithful and there aren’t many fans of the club who would choose anyone over him.

Lampard Chosen Last, But Certainly Not Least

Lampard came last in Gilberto’s ranking. The former Chelsea man is the greatest goalscoring midfielder in Premier League history. He became the first player in his position to score at least 10 league goals in 10 straight seasons and always stepped up to the plate when the Blues needed it most.

He was a fierce competitor and was also a dependable leader, always rising to the occasion when John Terry was unavailable, such as in the 2012 Champions League final.

Now, out of the trio, he is the best manager of England’s golden generation midfield, with his latest achievement seeing him take Coventry City from consistent Championship playoff contention to the league title, with the Sky Blues back in the Premier League.

The general consensus surrounding Liverpool’s decision to replace Arne Slot – the Reds’ latest Premier League-winning manager – with Andoni Iraola is that it is a gamble worth taking. Swapping the Dutchman’s slower, more methodical tactical style for the explosive, front-footed approach of Bournemouth’s former mastermind feels much more like a return to the Jurgen Klopp blueprint.

It was that exciting brand of football that earned the Cherries a place in next season’s Europa League, as they went unbeaten throughout the second half of the league campaign. Meanwhile, Slot was struggling to get a tune out of nearly all of his expensive new signings, including British transfer-record arrivals Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, as the fallen champions only just scraped into the top five.

This new era has set the wheels in motion for a fresh start under leadership that should reignite an Anfield crowd which lost most of its spark last season. However, not everyone is convinced by the bold approach. One of Liverpool’s former FA Cup winners has already spoken out, revealing the five alternative candidates he would have preferred to see appointed instead of Iraola.

Why Former Liverpool Ace is Against Andoni Iraola’s Appointment

Dean Saunders, who played for Liverpool in the early ’90s and won an FA Cup for his efforts, is not so sure the Spaniard is the right choice, doubting his ability to step up to the pressurised situation of managing an elite club. “Only certain people can manage Liverpool,” Saunders told talkSPORT.

He added: “You think of people who know how to win football matches and know how to take the game to the opposition. They know how to break parking the bus down every week, they know how to do it.”

Indeed, the 61-year-old, who also had stints at the likes of Aston Villa, Derby County, and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a point. Iraola has never won a major trophy, never managed a club whose ambitions depend on the ultimate currency of success, while you would have to look a fair way back before seeing the last time a manager from outside of the top six joined one and was a hit.

The Five Managers Saunders Would Have Turned To Instead

Needless to say, Saunders’ call for the Reds to try tie Pep Guardiola down to a contract just weeks after leaving his beloved Manchester City is one hell of a sensational call. But the point he was making with his list of alternatives is that he believes Liverpool should have looked towards the tried, tested, and successful head coaches first.

“Liverpool can pay the manager whatever they want. I would think, right we’re going to sack Slot who can we get?” he continued. “Jurgen Klopp, can we get Jurgen Klopp back?

The Athletic report that Iraola has verbally agreed a deal to become Liverpool manager and is set to sign a two-year contract at Anfield. It will undoubtedly be a giant step for the 43-year-old, who has a glowing reputation, but has a managerial history of AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano before his three-year stint with Bournemouth.

While silverware will be expected at Anfield, though, it won’t be number one priority next season. The Spaniard’s high-octane style of football should keep his new supporters interested for a while yet anyway, and the red half of Merseyside usually takes a lot of hits before changing their mind on their manager.

Manchester United and Tottenham could go head-to-head when it comes to signing one of the Premier League’s breakout stars this summer.

United are in the market for at least two central midfielders during the summer transfer window, with Atalanta star Ederson likely to be the first signing under Michael Carrick.

Tottenham, meanwhile, will need to strengthen their squad following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi looking to make quick moves in the window to put together a group he thinks can challenge towards the top of the table, rather than the bottom.

Alex Scott enjoyed a fine season for Bournemouth

Both teams have been linked with a move for Bournemouth star Alex Scott, who enjoyed something of a breakthrough campaign for the Cherries this year.

The 22-year-old was a regular starter under Andoni Iraola, only missing the final game of the season, named in the starting lineup for 34 of the 37 other matches in the Premier League. He scored three goals – with another coming in the FA Cup – and made one assist, picking up the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.

GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said last month: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”

However, as time has moved on, it may be that Scott is now available to complete a move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with a report from the Athletic stating that “an extension is seen as unlikely”.

How much Bournemouth will demand to sell Scott

The Athletic report goes on to state that United have made inquiries as to the cost of a deal, with Scott having just two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast. It is thought Bournemouth would demand around £60million to even consider selling the midfielder who has been described as “elite” by Nigel Pearson, who was his manager at Bristol City before moving to Bournemouth.

Pearson said: “He’s a unique talent. I’ve heard him compared to lots of players, but Alex is just a top-class young player who has a very level head. He will go on to play for England, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He is destination elite.”

Spurs may hold an advantage over United, should they look to pursue a move, given Scott grew up as a Tottenham fan.

Speaking after scoring against Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today. But growing up as a kid, it was definitely a dream for me [to score against Arsenal]. Bournemouth are my team at the minute but I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so as a kid growing up, I would have been really happy with that.”