Football FanCast columnist Jerome Johnstone looks back at the Premier League years and wonders who must be considered its finest midfielder.

Since the very first moment that the gruff voiced Andy Gray and the ever hairy Richard Keys introduced the Premier League to our screens, little did we know what was around the corner. It illuminated a game that to be fair was in desperate need of an injection of life and the Sky's fortunes that have been pumped into the game over the last 16yrs has transformed it at every level and insured that the Premier League would become the best in the world.

We have really seen it all, whether it great games or goals, some of the world's best talent plying their trade in England and for your average neutral football fan you really couldn't ask for more. I know there are a lot of people out there who feel that there is a slow demise in the game in this country. It is a view that doesn't hold much weight in my eyes, especially as we go into the last game of the season with two teams level on points challenging for the title whilst at the bottom we have three teams fighting for 17th spot that will keep them in the Premier League next season - it is entertainment at its best and something that never use to happen in the supposed grand old days.

The Premier League throughout its 16 years has seen some of the finest footballers that this country has ever produced or been brought in from foreign shores. The likes of Scholes, Gerrard and Beckham have been coupled by the arrivals of the likes of Cantona, Zola or a Henry. It is a bottomless pit of talent and Football FanCast along with the WKD Sports shed on Nuts TV are on a mission to find out who is the Premiership player of all time in defence/midfield/striker - it is the most unenviable task as there have been some great players and we will no doubt be accused of some glaring omissions, but that is what a friendly debate is all about.

We will start the debate in the engine room and who we think should be considered the best Premier League midfielder of all time - I will provide three nominations but you guys will have the final vote and feel free to put us right if the player is not on the list.

Roy Keane: He was quite simply the bedrock of Manchester United's dominance throughout the Premier League. A real leader of men, Keane use to carry Sir Alex's midfield on his own and his presence in the side simply freed up the likes of Scholes, Giggs and Beckham to inflict their attacking prowess on opposing defences. He kept that whole team together and while many pinpoint Cantona as a huge influence in the development of the fabled class of 92, it was Keane's presence alongside them in the middle that won that infamous "you won't win anything with kids" title success in 96.

Patrick Viera: I didn't feel it right to have Keane without his old sparring partner alongside him. The Frenchman was to be one of Arsene Wenger's first signings and you have to say the most important, as he transformed an Arsenal midfield, which went on to win three Premier League titles in six years. He led by example and use to take the attack to the opposition with his driving runs. The only criticism you can ever levy at Viera was the lack of goals he use to get but that really would be picking straws. He has assured himself as an Arsenal legend and it is probably fair to say they have never really replaced him. Is it coincidence that they have failed to win anything since his departure?

Steven Gerrard: To make up the trio of nominations I have decided to select Mr Liverpool. Stevie G is the only one who has picked up the Champions League trophy and with all respect to his teammates was probably the sole driving force behind that success that year. He is simply the embodiment of the complete central midfielder. He tackles well, is full of industry and scores bags of goals. There is simply no weakness to his game apart from his ability to stay on his feet at times but that once again is a picking of straws - his inclusion is based on the consistency he has shown throughout his years at Liverpool. He has never won a Premier League trophy which is one of the great travesties, but that has had more to do with the abilities of his colleagues than the player himself.

Well they are my three nominations but use the vote button for those possible glaring omissions we have made.

It is the debate "Who is the Premier League's greatest midfielder of all time" that will be discussed on the WKD Sports Shed show on Nuts TV, so submit your vote and comment and get your opinion seen by many.

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