Frank Lampard On Steven Gerrard: ‘Great’ Midfielder Who ‘Had Everything’

Former Chelsea striker Frank Lampard, who retired last month after 21 years, appeared as a commentator on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, and when asked who he believed were his top three midfield opponents during his time as a player, one name immediately rose to mind for Lampard: Steven Gerrard. 

Frank Lampard Calls Steven Gerrard Toughest Opponent In Premier League

The duo faced each other several times and played as teammates on England’s national team, for which Gerrard served as captain, for 14 years.

When asked about his top three midfielders on Sky on Monday, Lampard, 38, immediately said: “Steven Gerrard, in the Premier League. He had everything.

“If you got him on his day, you can almost forget about it because he was so powerful. Particularly when you used to go up to Anfield, you knew whether Stevie was on his game in the first three minutes because he’d crash through someone.

“But he had everything… other than the aggressive side, obviously he had top ability. He was a great midfield player.”

After citing the 36-year-old former Liverpool and LA Galaxy midfielder— who is now Liverpool’s Academy coach— as his number one, Lampard also named Barcelona’s Spanish stars Xavi and Andres Iniesta as the best two outside of England.

Lampard, who also played for West Ham, confessed: “Going to the Nou Camp and attempting to get near them for 90 minutes was very tough. They were absolute naturals on the ball.”

Gerrard retired in November 2016.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 24:  Frank Lampard of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2015 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)