Source: Daily_Mail
THIS LOT ARE FAB! Redknapp and Townsend pick their top ten midfielders
He's mesmerising the Premier League with his midfield magic. So how good is Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas? Our experts (who could play a bit) compare him to the best they've seen: JAMIE REDKNAPP I only wanted players who I either played against or have watched closely, so I've omitted Glenn Hoddle and Graeme Souness. I'm not picking wingers, either, so there's no Ryan Giggs. When people look back on him in 20 years they will remember him charging up the flanks. [LNB]I wanted generals and playmakers - and, yes, Cesc Fabregas makes my top 10, because he is a very special player, albeit in a role that has been created for him at Arsenal that is not a traditional position for a central midfielder. [LNB]Captain fantastic: Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas [LNB]In fact, Fabregas, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard all benefit from playing 'off the front' and they reward their clubs with goals. [LNB]Match-ups between growling central midfielders are rare now. I remember the Merseyside derby used to be about Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell meeting Steve McMahon and Ronnie Whelan head on, but now teams will play with a three in there and the tackles aren't as ferocious as the game has changed. [LNB]How personal to make the list? I remember Aston Villa's Gordon Cowans playing me off the pitch once when I was at Liverpool. I thought I could play but he showed me that day what playing was all about. [LNB]Like Giggs, John Barnes is another who misses out because his best performances came in wide areas, although I enjoyed a long stint alongside him in central midfield for Liverpool. [LNB]Paul Scholes and Paul Ince have to make the list. Both are former team-mates, but they were match-winners too. Don't forget, Incey played for United, Liverpool and Inter Milan. [LNB] Jamie's No 1: the Invincible Patrick Vieira[LNB]Claude Makelele gets in because of the success he had at Chelsea andbecause he was so good they named a midfield position after him; everyteam wanted someone to play the 'Makelele role', performing in thedefensive holding job.[LNB]REDKNAPP'S TOP 10 1. Patrick Vieira2. Roy Keane3. Steven Gerard4. Paul Gascoigne5. Bryan Robson6. Frank Lampard7. Paul Scholes8. Paul Ince9. Cesc Fabregas10. Claude Makelele [LNB]I found it hard to separate the top five and I changed it around a few times before deadline approached. Bryan Robson was a hero of mine, Gazza was sensational at his best, although injuries were cruel to both. [LNB]How do you split Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira? They are players who have played in the most demanding area of the pitch and have been leaders and winners. [LNB]It's Vieira top for me - just. He ran the Arsenal midfield in their 'Invincibles' season and I don't believe any team will ever remain undefeated like that again. [LNB]Vieira with his passing and his power was the guv'nor in that midfield. Having played against him, he could pass you off the park, or smash you off the park. He had the lot. [LNB]ANDY TOWNSEND With these tasks you are always on a hiding to nothing, because no matter how hard you trawl the books and look back over time, there's always someone you know you should have included, but overlooked. [LNB]I'd like Liam Brady in, for instance. He was my hero. But I can't find room for him and Glenn Hoddle, and I saw more of Hoddle's elegance. So he's in, Brady's out. [LNB]Andy's No 1: Gerrard's got the lot[LNB]There's no room for John Barnes, either, who was a sensational player but did most of his damage on the wing. Liverpool's Jan Molby is another player who was just magnificent at passing a ball. [LNB]My No 1 is Steven Gerrard because he would have been an outstanding footballer in any generation. [LNB]He could have mixed it with Don Revie's Leeds, he would have matched the United powerhouses and can play like a Hoddle or a Brady. He's not having a good time at the moment but he has carried Liverpool. [LNB]I wish he would have had the chance to play in one of their great teams, so that he would achieve the status of a Graeme Souness. [LNB]The list is the top 10 players I've seen in this country, but it's hard comparing across generations. Would you rather face Souness or Roy Keane in a 50-50, or who would you prefer to have leading your team out on the pitch? Both were brilliant captains and outstanding footballers who decided matches and defined generations. [LNB] Old sparring partners: Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira come to blows [LNB]The point of doing this is to see where Cesc Fabregas fits in, but he doesn't quite make my list. I agree that he is a marvellous footballer, with a gift for floating beyond defenders and creating chances and goals, but how would he have coped with a Billy Bremner and a Johnny Giles snapping at his heels? [LNB]TOWNSEND'S TOP 101. Steven Gerrard2. Patrick Vieira3. Roy Keane4. Bryan Robson5. Graeme Souness6. Paul Gascoigne7. Ryan Giggs8. Paul Scholes9. Frank Lampard10. Glenn Hoddle[LNB]I remember seeing Souness flash out an elbow at Ray Wilkins in an England v Scotland game - how would Fabregas have dealt with that? And could he have played with such grace on the muddy pitches of the Seventies that looked like cow fields? [LNB]I can't see it. But he is 22 and there is more to come. [LNB]The other players in my 10 have either packed up or are having long and successful careers, so it's easier to evaluate their impact. [LNB]Paul Gascoigne was unique but we didn't see enough of him and I don't need to explain why the United three make my list. Giggs, like Barnes, did most of his work on the wing, but I'm including him because it would be mean not to. [LNB]Apologies to anyone I have offended by leaving out players like Dave Mackay, Bremner and Sir Bobby Charlton. I've read plenty about them and seen some footage but not enough to consider them. I'm not that old, you know! [LNB] VIDEO: Keeping Fabregas fit is key to our title challenge, says WengerIt's snow joke! Arshavin is amazed that English can't cope with bad weatherNightmare for Chelsea as knee injury looks set to sideline Essien for a monthARSENAL FC
