Paul Scholes is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, with 499 appearances and 11 titles under his belt in England’s top-flight.

The Manchester United icon is often discussed among the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane when it comes to midfield conversations. In more recent times, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri have made a case to be in the mix.

But who does Scholes class as the greatest midfielder in Premier League history? Well, the 66-cap England legend gave a pretty clear suggestion when asked to rank 10 of the best to ever play the position.

Paul Scholes’ Premier League Midfield Rankings

Speaking to SPORTbible, Scholes was asked to blind rank 10 of the best midfielders to ever grace the Premier League. Blind rankings are always tough, but the ex-England star was happy to be left with just the number 10 spot open for himself.

Showing great modesty, Scholes claimed: “I’m happy with that.” It’s very unlikely anyone else would rank him so low in their all-time rankings. He wasn’t quite as happy to be forced to place Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira just ahead of him in ninth.

The all-action powerhouse captained the Gunners to an ‘invincible’ season in 2003-04 as one of the best players in the team. United and Arsenal had many battles over the years, so Scholes knows just how good the Frenchman was, but ninth was the highest place available when his name came up.

Two Chelsea title winners ranked above Vieira. Cesc Fabregas and N’Golo Kante were a match made in heaven for the 2016-17 team that steamrolled the league under Antonio Conte. Both men showed their qualities at other clubs too. Fabregas rose to prominence at Arsenal, while Kante was instrumental in the biggest fairytale story in the league’s history, Leicester City winning it.

Bruno Fernandes, fresh off the back of breaking the record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign, is sixth. Meanwhile, the highest-scoring midfielder in the division’s history, Frank Lampard, is only fifth.

Lampard is often put in debates with Scholes and Steven Gerrard regarding who the best English midfielder was. Scholes has previously stated Gerrard was a better player than he was, and now he’s ranked the Liverpool legend above Lampard.

The only man to ever win the Ballon d’Or on this list, Rodri, has dominated the Premier League. The Spanish metronome, now a World Cup winner, has lifted the iconic trophy four times in seven years at the Etihad. Scholes ranked him fourth, just behind Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne earned his place on the podium of Scholes’ list after taking Man City by storm. The Belgian was the best player in the league for many years. His ability was incredible. Right foot, left foot, running with the ball, playing a killer pass, putting in a dangerous cross. He had it all.

That leaves just two men. Gerrard is the best English midfielder the league has ever seen in Scholes’ eyes. He’s the best player to never win the title, but often dragged poor Liverpool sides through difficult times.

But there was absolutely no hesitation when Roy Keane’s name was presented to Scholes. The pair were teammates for 12 years, and formed part of the most successful midfield ever. Keane was a leader by nature and as no-nonsense as they come. The Irishman’s ability on the ball is often overlooked, but his former teammate was quick to point out that Keane could do anything on a football pitch.

Watch Paul Scholes rank Premier League midfielders

Scholes Pays Roy Keane the Ultimate Compliment

After his rankings were finalised, Scholes cemented his opinion that Keane is the greatest to ever grace a Premier League engine room. The midfielder-turned-pundit paid his ex-colleague an incredible compliment in doing so.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of the Premier League. Correct as of 17-08-26.

Manchester United are on the verge of completing their midfield rebuild this summer as they close in on a deal to sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba.

The Red Devils started the summer with a bang, signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans within 24 hours of each other in July, while they have also brought in Karl Darlow and young winger Tynan Thompson to further strengthen Michael Carrick’s squad.

But a third midfield addition was seen as a priority for the entire window. After assessing their options, they have now entered advanced talks with the Seagulls over a deal to sign the 22-year-old Cameroon international, which is likely to cost in excess of £70m.

Carrick now has several options to choose from in midfield, and GIVEMESPORT have now ranked those players ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.

7

Manuel Ugarte

Ugarte was one of the first signings of the INEOS era at Old Trafford, and the Uruguay international’s attributes were something that the team desperately needed at the time of the transfer.

But the former PSG star has struggled to adapt to the Premier League, with his ability in possession nowhere near the required level. Defensively, he is happy to do the dirty work. But he often found himself in the referee’s book rather than helping his team break down the opponents.

Before suffering a serious knee injury at the World Cup this summer, the expectation was that Ugarte would leave Man Utd this summer. Carrick isn’t a fan, and it’s clear he isn’t good enough. His injury is likely the only reason he is still at the club, and he’s bottom of the list of options by a considerable distance.

6

Mason Mount

Mount has usually been considered more of an attacking midfielder throughout his career, but during pre-season this summer, Carrick used him in a deeper role to decent effect.

Technically, he is very tidy, which allows him to progress the ball well and get out of difficult situations, while he has always been a willing runner and not afraid to stick a foot into a tackle where needed. But the biggest issue for Mount has been his fitness, and it took him less than four pre-season games to suffer another injury which means he is now a doubt for the season opener.

If he isn’t someone who can be relied upon, then it’s really difficult to put him any higher in this list.

5

Andrey Santos

The first signing of the summer was Brazil international Santos, arriving in a £50m deal from Chelsea. Having struggled for regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge, there were some question marks over the deal and whether he was good enough.

But during pre-season, he has shown that he is more than ready for the step up. His positioning defensively is second to none, he is excellent in possession, looking to break the lines with his passing regularly, and is also capable of carrying the ball well too.

A lack of first-team experience is the only reason he is down on this list, but he has an extraordinarily high ceiling and could well become a top dog in the coming seasons.

4

Carlos Baleba

via Reuters

Baleba is someone that Man Utd chiefs have wanted at Old Trafford for several transfer windows, and they also believe that he could be a transformative signing for the club.

Defensively, he is one of the best in the Premier League. He covers ground exceptionally, excels in duels, wins possession back regularly, and can also carry the ball forward brilliantly to help with attacks too.

His quality on the ball when it comes to passing could do with some work, but at 22 there is plenty of room for improvement, and he will still be a key member of the side this season and for years to come.

3

2

Youri Tielemans

A shock signing in the transfer window, Tielemans cost just £35m from Aston Villa this summer, and immediately arrives into the midfield as an experienced leader with top-level experience.

His ability on the ball is undeniable, but he is also underrated in the fact that he covers ground so well, wins duels, and is excellent positionally. Having played at the highest level since he was a teenager, and having captained his country at a World Cup, he is one of the best midfielders in the league, and Carrick is lucky to have him in the squad.

1

Kobbie Mainoo

12 months ago, it seemed as though Man Utd were willing to let Mainoo leave the club either on loan or permanently after a fallout with Ruben Amorim. Ultimately, the club decided against letting him move and after Amorim was sacked in January, Mainoo became one of the most important members of the squad.

His quality in possession is the best in the squad, as he is able to keep the ball in the most difficult situations because of his incredible technical ability. But defensively, he is incredibly underrated. Mainoo covers ground well, he wins his duels, and all of that comes despite being just 21 years old.

Mainoo is the future of the Man Utd and England midfield, which is the reason why this midfield rebuild was built around him.

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Khamzat Chimaev is growing impatient whilst waiting to hear news of his next fight.

The former UFC middleweight champion is looking to bounce back from his previous fight, where he dropped the title to Sean Strickland in a damaging unanimous decision defeat.

It was back in May, in the main event of UFC 328, that Chimaev lost to his bitter rival, and he recently made his intentions clear to get and get a rematch for his former prize.

Khamzat Chimaev Wants Answers From the UFC

Chimaev’s loss to Strickland was one of the biggest fights that the UFC has put on this year. The pair exchanged harsh words in the lead-up. Most notably, Strickland called Khamzat a ‘coward’ and claimed he was unable to do anything that would disrupt the run-up to the fight.

Despite his pre-fight claims, the victorious American suffered numerous injuries to his shoulders in the bout with Chimaev, including a Grade 1 AC joint separation and a partial rotator cuff tear. He recently claimed his shoulder is looking solid and needs a little more time to recover fully before stepping into the Octagon again.

Chimaev, though, is seemingly fed up with waiting for Strickland to get healthy. Whether it’s a rematch with Strickland or a potential move to light heavyweight, the Russian grappler has made it clear to his boss that he wants a fight date soon.

Alongside a photo of Dana White placing the belt around Chimaev’s waist when he won the strap from Dricus du Plessis last August, he wrote, “What are we waiting for… I want to fight @danawhite.”

Chimaev Continues to Taunt Strickland Ahead of Likely Rematch

Chimaev remains the No.1 contender at 185lbs, with du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, Joe Pyfer and Brendan Allen making up the rest of the top five. All of these stars are looking for their chance to meet Strickland and compete for the middleweight title, but it seems that a blockbuster rematch between Chimaev and Strickland is the most likely destination for now.

This has not stopped him from going after his likely opponent on social media recently.

“There are two kinds of fighters in the UFC after a hard fight…You walk into the gym broken, depressed, and you get back to work.” Seemingly taking a shot at Chimaev, he had this to say: “Or. Two. You vanish for months, hide, take the easy way out…

I see this all the time. I’ve never respected number two. Pathetic and weak-minded.”

It seems that this easily marketable rematch is on the cards, with Chimaev looking to put down Strickland and re-claim his title.