Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney: MOTD pundits rank PL’s 10 greatest English players

Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have ranked the 10 best English players of the Premier League era.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Match of the Day podcast, the two pundits – joined by host Gary Lineker – ranked 10 players from a pre-selected shortlist.

Those 10 players were: Steven Gerrard, Harry Kane, John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ashley Cole, Michael Owen, Frank Lampard and Shearer himself.

Players were ranked based mainly on their performances at club, rather than international, level.

Rio Ferdinand was named as the one player who was most unfortunate to miss out on a place on the shortlist.

10. Alan Shearer

“For obvious reasons, I’m putting myself tenth. I’m not having the abuse!”

9. Ashley Cole

“He’s the best left-back we’ve had in our country. Great left-back, no doubt about it. Incredible.”

8. Michael Owen

“He had massive ability and was as quick as anything around.”

7. Harry Kane

“He’s given Tottenham everything. If he doesn’t move this summer, it’s never happening. He’s one of the best passers in the Premier League actually.”

6. John Terry

“He was a clever footballer. Left foot, right foot, the way he pinged those balls.”

5. David Beckham

“Eighty assists, 62 goals, six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, one Champions League. In terms of ability, he made himself a better player. He had to work at what he did and he got the rewards for that.”

4. Frank Lampard

3. Steven Gerrard

“Rooney, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard – unbelievable players. Incredible. So lucky to have had them.”

2. Paul Scholes

“When you look at goals, assists, touch, technique, nasty, tackling, arriving in the box – magnificent.”

1. Wayne Rooney

“He wanted the ball in every minute of the game. Technically superb, his