With the Daily Mail quoting Fernando Torres as saying Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard is the best player he’s ever played with, here’s a look at as many as eleven candidates who could realistically claim to be better…
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1) Iker Casillas
A difficult player to compare due to their different positions, but Iker Casillas is a true legend of the game and one of the finest goalkeepers in history, winning all there is to win with both Real Madrid and Spain, captaining his country through the most successful period in their history with three wins in successive major tournaments.
2) John Terry
Similarly to Gerrard, John Terry is a long-serving legend at one club and inspirational captain for his team. The former England man is also one of the finest centre-backs to play in the Premier League and undoubtedly a contender for all-time great in this country.
3) Frank Lampard
A midfielder many would argue is better than Gerrard anyway, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is another great Torres has played alongside in that position, even if the two never quite struck up the same partnership as Torres and Stevie G did at Anfield.
4) Carles Puyol
Another defensive legend, Carles Puyol was another huge part of Spain’s success and dominance in Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, not to mention a pretty decent career for Barcelona as well.
5) Ashley Cole
Increasingly thought of as one of the best full-backs of all time, Chelsea legend Ashley Cole is another top class name Torres has played alongside, even if defenders don’t get the same attention as all-action midfielders like Gerrard.
6) Xavi
If we’re talking midfielders, surely no one beats this guy? Torres was blessed to play alongside an absolute legend in Spanish playmaker Xavi, who was another huge player for La Roja as they won three consecutive major tournaments, whilst also sweeping away all before him for Barcelona.
7) Andres Iniesta
Another immensely gifted midfield player, Andres Iniesta is one of the finest of his generation and has achieved far more in the game than Gerrard – a harsh snub by Torres?
8) Xabi Alonso
A different kind of player to Gerrard, Xabi Alonso often let his captain take the limelight during his time at Liverpool, though it could be argued that he was the superior player, and he has certainly gone on to enjoy the more trophy-laden career with Real Madrid and Spain.
9) Cesc Fabregas
Yet another midfielder arguably better than Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas has been consistently superb for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Spain in his glittering career, particularly enjoying tremendous success alongside Torres for Spain.
10) Didier Drogba
It has often been said that Gerrard can win games on his own, but that is equally true of Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, who remained a world class talent during Torres’ time at Stamford Bridge, even if the pair couldn’t strike a successful partnership.
11) David Villa
Spain’s all-time leading scorer, David Villa is a vastly under-rated great from his generation and was another stand-out performer for the Spanish national team as they claimed success at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.