'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Premier League has been blessed with many great talents over the years. While we have seen several top players play across all positions in the league, the midfield arguably remains the most important part of a football team.
Football itself has evolved over the years. While all managers prior to 2010 preferred a 4-4-2 lineup, we have seen this transform in recent times. We've seen a host of different formations since: we've seen the 3-5-2, the 4-3-3 and the now popular 4-2-3-1, among others. But the importance of midfielders hasn't diminished.
These formations are tweaked based on the talent managers have at their disposal. Fans have been fortunate to see several top midfield duos in the Premier League.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five midfield duos in Premier League history.
#5. Xabi Alonso & Steven Gerrard - Liverpool
Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard were famous for their midfield displays together in the Premier League.
The pair played together for five years at Liverpool, before Xabi Alonso eventually departed for Real Madrid. Although it must be said that the pair never won the Premier League together, the influence they left behind is beyond question.
Both players were known for their excellent passing range and their nonchalant ability to spray long balls with inch-perfect accuracy.
The pair won the FA Cup in 2006, in what is fondly remembered as 'The Gerrard Final' among Liverpool fans. However, their most impressive achievement together was the UEFA Champions League victory in 2005.
In a game that is rife with nostalgia for Liverpool fans, both Gerrard and Alonso produced stellar displays to complete an unbelievable turnaround for their team. The victory cemented the pair's legendary status.
#4. Michael Essien & Frank Lampard - Chelsea
Chelsea fans consider themselves fortunate to have witnessed Michael Essien and Frank Lampard play together.
Both legends at Stamford Bridge, the pair spent about eight years together in the heart of Chelsea's midfield. Frank Lampard was signed in 2001 from West Ham, while Michael Essien joined in 2005 from Lyon.
While Lampard was arguably the more influential figure, he was at his best when he worked in tandem with Essien. Lampard was a versatile midfielder who focused more on the attacking side of things, while Essien could often be seen making interceptions and tidying things up at the back.
The pair won several accolades together, including two Premier League titles and four FA Cups. Their most memorable achievement together was the UEFA Champions League victory in 2012, when Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties to claim Europe's top prize.
#3. Fernandinho & Kevin de Bruyne - Manchester City
Manchester City have taken the Premier League by storm ever since their title-winning run in the 2011-12 season.
Breaking the Manchester United-Chelsea duopoly, City went on to establish themselves as one of the biggest sides in English football. In the nine years since, City have won a mammoth five Premier League titles.
While many rival fans attribute City's success to their financial position, there is no doubt that they have some of the world's best players in their ranks. Many believe that City's metamorphosis is mainly due to their quality in midfield.
While it has to be mentioned that City have had a host of players in midfield such as David Silva, Yaya Toure and Bernardo Silva, the most prolific pairing of all has been that of Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho.
De Bruyne was signed in 2015 from Wolfsburg, while Fernandinho has been at City since 2013. The pair demonstrate the perfect mix of attack and defense, which is evident in the way they set up together against other teams.
De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. Fernandinho, although approaching the end of his career, has set the standard for a defensive midfielder in the modern game.
The pair have won three Premier League titles together, including in 2017-18 where City reached a historic 100 points. They have also won one FA Cup as well as five League Cups in six years together.
Still bossing the midfield, it remains to be seen if the pair can add more medals to their kitty in the upcoming season.
#2. Gilberto Silva & Patrick Vieira - Arsenal
Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira formed a formidable partnership in midfield for Arsenal.
Although the pair played together for only three years, their achievements together are truly commendable. The duo embodied Arsene Wenger's football philosophy that enabled Arsenal to win several trophies, most notably the title-winning 'Invincibles' run of 2003-04.
Vieira was the more experienced of the two, having joined from Milan in 1996. Gilberto joined later in 2002 from Brazil. .
Both players were known for their incredible work rate and relentless play. While both players were typically more on the defensive side, they often initiated counter-attacks as well after recovering the ball.
The midfield duo have won several trophies, including two FA Cups and one Premier League title. They will be fondly remembered for the 2003-04 season, where Vieira and Gilberto were integral to Arsenal's title-winning run without losing a single game.
#1. Roy Keane & Paul Scholes - Manchester United
Paul Scholes and Roy Keane are arguably the best-ever midfield pairing in Manchester United's history.
Both Scholes and Keane made their Manchester United debuts in 1993 and went on to spend over a decade with the club. Scholes went on to spend 20 years at Old Trafford before his eventual retirement, while Keane moved to Celtic in 2005.
Known for their rugged style of play and unforgiving tackling, the pair struck fear in the hearts of opponents worldwide.
Keane was arguably the tougher of the two; famous for his strong tackles and excellent passes. Scholes was more of a pass-master, famed for his incredible ability to find teammates irrespective of their location on the field.
The midfield duo won an unbelievable amount of silverware together. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the pair won a mammoth seven Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
Their most memorable achievement together was the UEFA Champions League victory in 1999, when United came back from behind to beat Bayern Munich in the final. Although both players were suspended for the final, they were instrumental in taking United to the stage.
The duo will be revered as Manchester United legends forever and will go down in history as arguably the best midfield pairing in the Premier League.
