Lampard names toughest midfielders he faced in Premier League-Arsenal, United, City and Liverpool stars

 

Manchester City's Yaya Toure with Premier League trophy. [Photo/ Courtesy]

Frank Lampard has named the top five toughest midfielders he ever came up against in the Premier League - and reiterated Yaya Toure is very much in the mix.

Lampard spent 13 years at Chelsea where he won three Premier League titles and the Champions League, and faced off against the world's best players.

In terms of toughness, the Blues legend doesn't believe anyone tops Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard, but says Toure does come close.

"I would put Yaya Toure in the top five of the toughest midfield opponents I faced in my career, as at his peak he could change games on his own," Lampard told the BBC.

"Steven Gerrard probably edges it as the best I have played against, for his consistency over the years, but Yaya is up there along with Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and Paul Scholes - which shows how highly I rate him."

Toure is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, after eight years at the Etihad club.

The 34-year-old is on the radar of a whole host of clubs - including Everton, Burnley, and Wolves - and is looking to remain in the Premier League for at least another season.

Steven Gerrard during his time at Liverpool. [Photo/ Courtesy]

Ahead of his final game for the Citizens, boss Pep Guardiola said: "He will start, definitely. We're already champions and it's the final game for him.

"He's going to play in his position, we'll try to win the game and finish the season in a good way. That's the deal.

"It's his last game at home so we'll try to play for him and win for him.

"People sometimes don't know, but what makes the clubs greater and bigger are the players - and Yaya is one of them".