Liverpool legend named as best ever Premier League player by Chelsea favourite

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has named Steven Gerrard as the best player he faced during his illustrious career in the Premier League.

Obi Mikel, who made a controversial move to Stamford Bridge in 2006 despite initially being unveiled as a Manchester United player months earlier, enjoyed a successful career in English football with the Londoners as he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and four FA Cups.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the Five podcast, Obi Mikel revealed that during his 11-year stay at Stamford Bridge former Liverpool captain Gerrard was the toughest opposition player he faced.

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“I’ve always said my toughest opponent in the Premier League was Stevie G,” he told Ferdinand's Five podcast. “You remember when he started playing as a No.10 for Liverpool, with Fernando Torres up front? Oh my God!"

The former Nigeria international continued: “Quick, technically very good, strong, powerful, he could tackle as well. You’re looking at a No.10 who could tackle! I know he didn’t play in that position for very long, but he was the guy who was very, very difficult to play against. He knew how to find the space in between you and the defenders.

“Yeah, for me, Stevie G was the guy, he was that good.”

Obi Mikel continued his praise of Gerrard, who helped the Anfield club to a landmark fifth Champions League triumph during a legendary 17-year career on Merseyside, by admitting that not only was the former Reds captain the toughest opponent he faced but also the "best player".

"Again, I’d probably have to go back to Stevie