Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , Premier League icon Emmanuel Petit gives his perspective in the Gerrard vs Scholes vs Lampard debate and ranks the former Chelsea superstar as the best.
Petit also has some high praise for Lampards managerial journey but warns his former teammate to stick with Coventry and reject any advances from Rangers and suggests that fellow former teammate Damien Duff isn't ready for the Celtic job (yet!).
In addition, Petit gave his thoughts on if Rice can captain England, if Mbappe is France's greatest ever player and gives his predictions ahead of this weekends Premier League action.
Gerrard vs Scholes vs Lampard
Gerrard vs Scholes vs Lampard
We are talking about the greatest midfield players in Premier League history. We are talking about leaders who consistently performed for their teams over many years. These players were unplayable and consistently excellent for more than just one season.
It's very difficult to make comparisons. For me, when I was playing for Arsenal, my toughest opponent, as I've always said, was Paul Scholes. This guy could do anything on the pitch. He could defend, tackle, provide assists, and score. He was a great leader. He was also known for having a very bad temper on the pitch.
You could receive a kick from him, but because of his vision, movement, and technical skills, he could win the game by himself. Steven Gerrard was similar but much more agile. He was the talisman of Liverpool. Because of this responsibility, and because he was raised in the Liverpool Academy, the responsibility was probably even greater for him. But he performed brilliantly.
Frank Lampard, I think, if you compare him with Scholes and Gerrard, what he achieved at Chelsea is amazing. In terms of goals, I believe he scored 300 goals. It's truly amazing. These guys were always present in the big games. So for me, it's a very difficult and hard question. I don't have a definitive answer as to who is the best. I would probably put Frank Lampard first, but these players are not far from each other in terms of ability and impact.
Frank Lampard
“Thriving” Lampard
I think with Derby County, he was close to getting them back into the Premier League. Then Chelsea asked him to come back, but I remember that was during their transfer ban, so they couldn't spend money on the transfer market. He had to deal with young players, and I remember him saying in a press conference that he was ‘babysitting.’ It was very difficult.
Now, I think he's doing a very good job. Honestly, I think he's learning a lot from the Championship, and step by step, he's gaining experience. The way his team has been playing, scoring goals, is exactly what you want to see in football in general.
That reminds me of when he was playing as a midfield player alongside me. I knew he was always focused on scoring goals. He's done a very good job so far in the Championship. So I'm not surprised that he's been linked with a return to the Premier League. Some clubs have been knocking on his door recently. I think there are some teams that are keeping an eye on him all the time because of the work he's doing in the Championship. Sooner or later, he's going to be back in the Premier League.
Lampard To Rangers? No!
Could Frank Lampard be tempted by Rangers? It's a mess at Rangers. It's been a mess since the takeover by the American, with the new manager and the way he left the club.
I was very confused and embarrassed by the lack of support Russell Martin received from the club. The club made no statement beyond a simple thank you. What some fans have done, not all, as the vast majority of Rangers fans don't behave this way, is mob-like, and the club didn't offer support or make any statements. That was very embarrassing.
Honestly, with Steven Gerrard also being linked with a return to Rangers, I would tell Frank to stay where he is. He's doing a great job and enjoying what he's doing. If he were to change environments and go to Rangers, it wouldn't be in a good environment. It would be a step back. He needs to keep focusing on what he's doing.
Damien Duff
Duff To Celtic? “Too Soon”
After three and a half years at Shelbourne, he did a very good job. I was very surprised, to be honest with you, when he became a manager. I didn't see that coming. I didn't play a lot of games with him, but I think that was enough for me to tell you that sometimes I'm surprised when former players become managers, considering their personality, their character, things like this. But he did, and I think he did brilliantly.
After three and a half years, I think he decided to leave the club, and I think that was a good decision because he was then able to concentrate on his family, his wife and kids. Being a manager is a washing machine, it's 24 hours a day, no holidays, nothing at all. I can understand that after more than three years, he needed a break from his first experience. He was successful.
Maybe he was probably thinking that because of what he did at Shelbourne, he was able to stay home and expect to receive some phone calls from different clubs. Maybe he did, but he isn't rushing back into management. Maybe he will be linked with the national team as well. Currently, they have Heimir Hallgrímsson, and Ireland aren’t doing very well.
But there have been rumours saying that a partnership between him and Roy Keane, managing the national team, could happen. We will see in the future. But right now, I think it's too soon for him to manage the country. He's also been an assistant at Celtic, and right now I'd say go back to club management because we want to see much more from him. We want to see more.
Declan Rice
Rice Can Captain England
Of course, he has the potential for that. He also has the potential to become the next captain at Arsenal. There is no doubt about that. He's got the personality, the character, and the leadership. He's loved by his teammates and always gives 100% on the pitch. England fans love him, Arsenal fans love him, and even opposing fans love this guy, honestly.
So is Declan Rice the next England captain? Yes, definitely. So, I wish him all the best. Is he coming back to the Premier League? I think it's too soon. I think if he wants to manage a Premier League club, it's a huge step. It would probably be a better idea to manage a Championship club, just like Frank Lampard, for example.
Golden Boot Race
Golden Boot Race
After winning his first title, Harry Kane will want more. He's already the Bundesliga's top scorer, which is often expected when playing as a striker for Bayern Munich.
Now he will be aiming for something more significant. He wants to retain the Bundesliga crown, but Bayern Munich's recent Champions League performance suggests they are a force to be reckoned with. Be careful, it will be very difficult to beat them.
Similarly, Kylian Mbappe, after seeing his former club win the Champions League after his departure, finished as one of Europe's top goalscorers last season in his first season for Real Madrid.
Both players have huge ambitions this season: to become national champions and ultimately to win the Champions League. They have scored many goals so far, and I expect this to continue until the end of the season.
France's Goat
Mbappe Is Not France’s Goat
No, there is more to do. I think he's far from guys like Michel Platini or Zinedine Zidane in people's hearts and minds. I think Platini was the first to come up in people's minds.
The comparison was with Zidane, but those guys are at the top. Kylian Mbappe is not far in terms of stats and what he did personally, but also the titles he has won, like the World Cup.
But Zidane has won three Champions Leagues as a player, and he won three Champions Leagues as a manager. He won the World Cup, he won the Euros. In terms of emotions as well, you know, when you go into the street and you ask every single person, ‘Who do you prefer, Zidane or Mbappe?’ I'm 100% sure they will tell you Zinedine Zidane at the moment.
Weekend Predictions
Prediction: Fulham vs Arsenal?
Following the international break is always difficult, especially when you play a local derby. I think it will be a tough game, but I don't see why Arsenal won't come home with three points. I'd predict something like 2-1 or 3-1.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea?
Looking at the final game of last season, which was very close, I would say a draw. 1-1.
Prediction: Liverpool vs Man Utd?
With Liverpool losing three games in a row. I can't see them dropping points again; that would be a big crisis at Liverpool. So I think Liverpool will bring something fresh, and Manchester United also have many players with their national teams. So, I will say Liverpool will win 2-1.
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