Wayne Rooney reveals who was the ‘all-round’ greatest midfielder

Wayne Rooney has had his say on one of football’s greatest debates – who’s better out of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes. 

For years fans, pundits and ex-players alike have on waded in on which of the Premier League legends they prefer. 

Now Rooney, a former teammate of all three players whilst playing for England, has given his opinion on which of the three he thinks was the best. 

Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, the new Plymouth Argyle boss broke down each man’s credentials before revealing his pick. 

He said: ‘On ability, [the best player I’ve played with is] Cristiano Ronaldo. But Scholsey as well with what he brought to the team but certainly from an ability point of view, I’d say Cristiano. 

Wayne Rooney has given his opinion on which Premier League midfielder was the best 

One of football’s biggest debate has been centered around these three Premier League icons 

Rooney also made a notable mention for Cristiano Ronaldo who he says is the best he’s played with in terms of ability 

‘Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are all different. As an all-rounder, Stevie is the best; he can defend, pass the ball, run, tackle, score goals, set pieces. As an all-rounder he’s the best from that point of view.

‘From a goalscoring point of view, Lamps [Frank Lampard] was the best. The goals he scored were incredible from midfield and technically he wasn’t at Stevie or Scholesy’s level but there was no-one better at scoring goals from midfield.

‘Scholesy, the way he adapted [made him amazing]. He was a striker when he was younger so to go to a ten, then midfield then a deeper midfielder dictating the game, I don’t think either of the other two [Gerrard or Lampard] could dictate a game the way he could.

‘All were world-class players. Stevie could come to Manchester United and be a top player and do what Scholes could do. But I don’t think Scholes could do what Stevie did at Liverpool.’

Rooney is well placed on the debate, having been part of England’s ‘golden generation’ alongside the three candidates as well as being a teammate of Scholes for many years at Man United.

However, despite winning multiple titles with the midfielder, and crediting him for his adaptability, it’s not Scholes he trumps above the rest.

Rooney calls Gerrard the best ‘all-rounder’ of the three having played together for England 

Frank Lampard’s goal-scoring exploits were given special mention by his former teammate 

Scholes and Rooney were title-winning teammates together during their time at Man United 

Instead he calls Gerrard the best ‘all-rounder’ out of the three, whilst giving Lampard his flowers for the amount of goals he scored as midfielder during his playing days. 

The former Man United striker recently become a regular member of The Overlap team, and will also be part of the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2024 before he settles into his new role as boss as Plymouth. 

Rooney returns to management hoping to move on from his short spell in charge of Birmingham City this campaign, that eventually led to the Blues being relegated from the division. 

He has signed a three-year deal with the Pilgrims, having previously enjoyed success under trying circumstances at Championship level with Derby County. 

Wayne Rooney was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet.