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Ferdinand Unveils His Premier League Midfield Mount Rushmore, Snubs De Bruyne
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has ignited debate among football enthusiasts by naming his top three Premier League midfielders of all time, notably omitting Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne from his esteemed list. The pundit asserted that the celebrated Belgian playmaker is not superior to Steven Gerrard in any aspect of the game, sparking discussions across social media and football forums.
De Bruyne’s Absence Sparks Controversy
During a recent episode of his YouTube channel, ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, the ex-England international revealed his ultimate midfield trio: Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, and Steven Gerrard. This selection meant there was no room for De Bruyne, despite the Belgian’s impressive career achievements and widespread recognition as one of the Premier League’s elite midfielders. Ferdinand firmly stated, “De Bruyne’s not better than Gerrard on any day of the week. I’m sorry, he’s not,” dismissing any comparisons between the two.
Ferdinand Defends His Midfield Selection
The topic arose during a lively exchange with presenter Joel Beya, who challenged Ferdinand’s viewpoint. However, the United icon remained steadfast in his opinion, elaborating further on his midfield hierarchy. “I’ve got Vieira, De Bruyne, Lampard, Keane, Gerrard, Scholes. They’re my Mount Rushmore’s, my Holy Grail midfielders,” Ferdinand clarified, before adding, “I’m going to say Vieira, Lampard and De Bruyne just miss out.”
The Chosen Trio: Scholes, Keane, and Gerrard
With three coveted spots to fill, Ferdinand made his choices without hesitation. He declared, “Scholes. Scholes has got eight Premier League titles. Is it eight? I think it’s eleven! Just for that, he has to get in! Eleven! Double figures. There’s only two people that have got double figures, I think. Him and Giggsy.” Ferdinand emphasized Scholes’ trophy haul as a key factor in his selection.
Roy Keane’s Dominance and Influence
Ferdinand also lavished praise on his former Manchester United captain, Roy Keane, highlighting the Irishman’s enduring influence and commanding leadership at Old Trafford. “I don’t know if there’s been more of an influential midfielder on a team for as long a period and as dominant as him,” Ferdinand remarked, underscoring Keane’s impact.
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Vieira’s Qualities Acknowledged
“Vieira was bad,” Ferdinand added, using the term as a compliment to acknowledge the Arsenal legend’s exceptional qualities. “I love Vieira. He was baaaaad. But if we’re talking [about] a man who could dominate a game, you need to go and watch the clips.” Ferdinand believes that contemporary viewers who only know Keane as a pundit may not fully appreciate his on-field prowess. “I think people that watch him as a pundit today, and didn’t watch him as a player live, don’t understand. He was of another planet. Was top, top, top, top level. Roy Keane was the midfielder’s midfielder.”
Gerrard Completes the List
With Scholes and Keane secured in his top three, Ferdinand completed his selection with former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard – despite Beya’s questioning of whether Gerrard was a more deserving choice than De Bruyne. “So you’re putting Gerrard above Kevin De Bruyne?” Beya inquired. “Yeah,” Ferdinand replied, without any hesitation, cementing his top three Premier League midfield legends.
De Bruyne’s Impending City Departure
The debate surrounding the Premier League’s best midfielders arises amid news that De Bruyne is expected to depart Manchester City at the conclusion of the current season. The Belgian maestro, widely considered a generational talent in midfield, has secured six Premier League titles under manager Pep Guardiola. However, he recently confirmed his intention not to extend his existing contract, which is set to expire on June 30th. Reports suggest that Inter Miami president David Beckham is contemplating making an offer for the 33-year-old midfielder, potentially marking a new chapter in De Bruyne’s illustrious career.