- Rio Ferdinand has named his top three Premier League midfielders of all time
- Kevin De Bruyne, who is leaving Man City this summer, did not make the cut
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Phil Foden miss the Club World Cup this summer to be given a rest?
Rio Ferdinand snubbed Kevin De Bruyne when listing the Premier League’s greatest-ever midfielders – insisting the Manchester City legend is not better than Steven Gerrard ‘on any day of the week.’
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former Manchester United and England defender named Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Gerrard as his ultimate midfield trio – meaning there was no place for De Bruyne despite his glittering CV.
‘De Bruyne’s not better than Gerrard on any day of the week,’ Ferdinand said bluntly. ‘I’m sorry, he’s not.’
The topic came up during a lively debate with presenter Joel Beya, who pushed back on Ferdinand’s take – only for the United legend to double down.
‘I’ve got Vieira, De Bruyne, Lampard, Keane, Gerrard, Scholes. They’re my Mount Rushmore’s, my Holy Grail midfielders,’ Ferdinand explained.
‘I’m going to say Vieira, Lampard and De Bruyne just miss out.’
Man City icon Kevin De Bruyne is not one of the top three midfielders in Premier League history
That is the opinion of former Man United, Leeds and England central defender Rio Ferdinand
!['De Bruyne's not better than [Steven] Gerrard on any day of the week,' Ferdinand boldly stated](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/04/07/23/97021797-0-image-m-33_1744066487895.jpg)
‘De Bruyne’s not better than [Steven] Gerrard on any day of the week,’ Ferdinand boldly stated
That left three spots – and Ferdinand did not hesitate.
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 also reserved huge praise for his former captain Roy Keane, hailing the Irishman’s long-term influence and 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.
‘Vieira was bad,’ Ferdinand added, using the term as a compliment. ‘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.
‘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.’
With Scholes and Keane locked in, Ferdinand completed his top three with ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard – despite Beya questioning whether he deserved the nod ahead of De Bruyne.
‘So you’re putting Gerrard above Kevin De Bruyne?’ Beya asked.
‘Yeah,’ replied Ferdinand, without hesitation.
Ferdinand reserved special praise for his former United captain and team-mate Roy Keane
Ferdinand also named Paul Scholes among his top three Premier League midfielders of all time
The debate comes just days after De Bruyne revealed that he will leave City at the end of the season.
The Belgian maestro – widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation – has lifted six Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola.
However, he confirmed on Friday that he will not be signing an extension to his current contract, which is due to expire on June 30.
Inter Miami president David Beckham is understood to be considering an offer for the Belgian, 33.
