I was asked who my five favourite West Ham midfielders of the Premier League era were, and well with so many quality midfielders that have passed through the West Ham midfield it was an extremely hard job to pick just five! But I have narrowed it down to the five that stand out to me and here they are:
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Frank Lampard Jnr:
Like it or not Frank Lampard was a quality player at West Ham even though he was not the finished article, he came throw the famous West Ham academy and he followed in the foot steps of his father Frank Lampard Snr by playing for West Ham senior team. Frank Lampard was a part of the West Ham team that in 1999 won the Intertoto Cup and also scored in the final against FC Metz. He was also part of the West Ham team that finished 5th in the Premier League – West Ham’s highest ever finish.
Trevor Sinclair:
West Ham signed Trevor Sinclair from QPR for a fee of around £2.3 million plus players Iain Dowie and Keith Rowland and it proved to be an excellent piece of business by Harry Redknapp. Trevor Sinclair was an old fashioned winger who worked the flanks well, providing quality balls into the box for the front men and was partial to the odd goal himself and when I say goals I mean ‘out of this world’ goals.
Michael Carrick:
Michael Carrick was yet another player that came through the ranks at West Ham. Throughout his career Carrick importance to a team has been undervalued. He has a fantastic range of passing from his midfield role which has continued throughout his footballing career. What was great about Carrick at West Ham was his loyalty when West Ham were relegated in 2002-2003 season. Unlike some of the rest of the West Ham stars he stayed to try and help the club return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. However West Ham lost in the final of the play-offs to Crystal Palace and during the summer Carrick moved, but his commitment was undoubtedly there.
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Steve Lomas:
Steve Lomas was another player that never really got the acknowledgement he deserved throughout his career. Lomas was another player that was a part of the West Ham team that won the Intertoto Cup in 1999. He was a no-thrills type of player that went about his job on the pitch in a workman like manner. Nothing showy or flashy but his work was effective and thorough. Lomas was tough in the tackle and wouldn’t think twice about going into any 50/50 with another player it was just a given. During his time at West Ham he did become club captain.
Joe Cole:
What can I say about Joey Cole? Without a doubt one of the most gifted players to ever come out of West Ham. Cole is a West Ham boy who supports the club and returned to the club this season to prove himself. At the time Cole was seen by many as a show pony but proved his ability over and over again. He has the ability to take players on and loves to throw himself into tackles and he also scores a goal or two.
These are my top five midfielders of the Premier League era. There were so many to choose from so I had to take it from a personal point and take into account the players I have actually seen play. Every fan is going to have a different five – older fans will have names I know in there very well, and some younger fans will have some names in there that are coming through the development and youth squads now. It would be great to hear comments from you all to tell me your favourite five midfielders of the Premier League Era and why.
Carl Bateson
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Gotta have scott parker over lomas I think and marc Vivien foe over carrick
Agreed. I probably would have had Berkovic or Yossi over Lampard as well, just because it’s Lampard.
I had a real debt with myself over Berkovic was so close to been in there