Cesc Fabregas has revealed that Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard were the two Premier League midfielders he admired the most during his time in England.
The former Arsenal captain had a stellar career in the Premier League, with both the Gunners and Chelsea, and was a tricky opponent for even some of the best around.
Despite being considered one of the best midfielders of his era the Spaniard still admired two of his rivals, both considered amongst the best ever in England's top tier, Scholes and Gerrard.
Advert
"Since I was little I had this thing about Steven Gerrard," Fabregas said on The Locker Room podcast to Rio Ferdinand.
"He was someone in my hometown when we used to watch the highlights of the Premier League he used to score these screamers from outside the box, and running into space, and he used to be everywhere and I used to look up to him a lot.
"In terms of the way I play and the way that I see football, it is Paul Scholes.
"What a player. He loved one-twos, he was right, he was left, he always demanded the ball."
Advert
The 33-year-old, now playing for Monaco, is still second on the league's all time assist list, having set up his teammates 111 times in 350 appearances in England's top tier.
Only Ryan Giggs, with 162 assists, is above the Spaniard with only countryman David Silva of the current active players anywhere near him on 90 assists, and the Manchester City star is expected to leave England at the end of the season.
Talking about his time with the Gunners, the former Barcelona midfielder also revealed that another of the league's best ever midfielders, Patrick Vieira, was the player to help him most with his development.
"If I have to say one in particular, maybe Patrick [Vieira] because he was also my position.
Advert
"And you know, even if I was 16, sometimes you can feel a bit threatened as a player - even if I was a nobody.
"But sometimes you just feel like 'I'm going to show him since day one that I'm the boss'. And he did actually and that helped me in terms of training.
"But outside, he was fantastic like telling me: 'Hey Cesc, maybe you should work on this, or you know, put your body this way, or, you know, when I come from behind you should always look'.
"You know, stuff like this is like: 'Wow this guy is a proper legend.'"
Advert
Where do you think Fabregas ranks in the all time list? Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: