In the ever-passionate world of football, few debates ignite as much fervor as ranking the greatest players to grace the Premier League. Jack Grealish, the flamboyant Manchester City winger, stirred the pot in 2020 when, as an Aston Villa star, he shared his top 10 Premier League midfielders of all time during a TNT Sports interview. His selections, a blend of personal admiration and bold choices, notably excluded Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Roy Keane—two names synonymous with the league’s golden era. The omission raised eyebrows, particularly among Red Devils fans, given Scholes’ 11 Premier League titles and Keane’s ferocious leadership in United’s 1999 treble. Grealish’s list, revealed before he joined City and played alongside modern greats like Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan, offers a glimpse into his perspective as a young player idolizing flair and impact.
Grealish, now 29 and a seven-time major trophy winner with Manchester City, crafted a list that leaned heavily on players he grew up watching, reflecting his Birmingham roots and admiration for technical brilliance. Topping his rankings was Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Grealish classified as a midfielder during his Manchester United days. “I know he’s gone on to be a striker, but when he was in the Premier League, he was a midfielder,” Grealish said. “It’s a toss-up between him and Messi to be the best player in the world. His goal record in the Premier League was just scary.” Ronaldo’s 145 goals in 346 United appearances justified the bold pick, though his later evolution into a forward sparked debate about his inclusion.
Following closely was Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, whom Grealish lauded for leadership and versatility. “Him and JT [John Terry] are the two best captains in the Premier League,” he said. “He scored so many banging goals, and in the prime of his career, he had everything.” Kevin De Bruyne, then Grealish’s future City teammate, secured third place. “My favourite player in the world at the moment,” Grealish enthused. “Until you play against him, you don’t realise how good he is. He just has so many talents.” De Bruyne’s unpredictable passing and athleticism, often underappreciated, resonated with Grealish’s own playmaking style.
Ryan Giggs, with a record 162 Premier League assists, landed fourth. “I think he’s got the most assists in the Premier League, so that’s why he’s at No. 4,” Grealish noted. Frank Lampard, the league’s top-scoring midfielder with 177 goals, took fifth. Grealish, inspired by conversations with John Terry at Villa, said, “I always ask JT about him to get little ideas that can improve my game. JT said he used to just be on the training ground every day practising his shooting, which is why he probably scored so many goals.” Yaya Toure, a powerhouse for City, earned sixth for his unforgettable 2013-14 season. “I played against Yaya on my debut for Villa,” Grealish recalled. “I’ve got a photo of him running past me and he ran past the whole team and ended up scoring.”
Cesc Fabregas, with over 100 assists, claimed seventh. “When he first came through at Arsenal, he was one of the most talked-about youngsters on the planet,” Grealish said, praising his evolution into a holding midfielder at Chelsea. Gareth Bale, an unconventional pick due to his later forward role, was eighth. “I know he’s classed as a forward, but when he was in the Premier League, he was more of a left-back and then left midfielder,” Grealish explained. Patrick Vieira, Arsenal’s Invincibles linchpin, took ninth. “So successful in the Premier League and was in that Invincible side at Arsenal,” Grealish said, wary of Vieira’s intimidating presence. Rounding out the list was David Silva, another future City teammate. “I think he’s probably one of the best Spaniards to play in the Premier League,” Grealish said. “He’s so technically gifted, and his record of trophies speaks for itself.”
The exclusion of Scholes, praised by Zinedine Zidane as “almost untouchable,” and Keane, a seven-time Premier League champion whose battles with Vieira defined an era, shocked many. Scholes’ passing range and 107 goals in 499 appearances, coupled with Keane’s relentless drive, made their absence conspicuous. Grealish’s list, however, reflects a bias toward players he witnessed in his formative years, with only Vieira predating the 2000s. Since joining City, Grealish has played alongside De Bruyne, Silva, and Rodri, potentially reshaping his perspective. His choices sparked lively debate, with fans on platforms like YouTube calling the snubs “criminal” while others defended his focus on flair and stats.
Grealish’s list underscores the subjective nature of such rankings, blending nostalgia, personal encounters, and statistical weight. As he continues to carve his own legacy, with three Premier League titles and a Champions League to his name, the winger’s 2020 rankings remain a bold snapshot of a young star’s footballing idols, unafraid to challenge convention.markdown format, preserving all relevant details.
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