'Best of all time' – Sol Campbell praises ex-Tottenham midfield maestro

The debate over the greatest midfielder of all time often sparks a flurry of legendary names. Zinedine Zidane dazzled with his elegance and vision, Steven Gerrard dominated with raw power and relentless drive at Liverpool, and Luka Modric—winner of the Ballon d’Or—boasts more Champions League titles than any midfielder in history. Yet, when Sol Campbell was asked by talkSPORT to name the best midfielder he’s ever faced, the former Tottenham defender didn’t hesitate. For him, it’s Paul Gascoigne—undoubtedly number one in his book.
Gascoinge was truly ahead of his time
While Paul Gascoigne might not enjoy the same level of recognition from casual fans or the broader media, those truly immersed in the game understand his rare brilliance. Revered by football purists and former players alike, Gascoigne’s talent transcended statistics. Wayne Rooney recently hailed him as England’s greatest-ever player, and now Sol Campbell has echoed those sentiments—declaring the former Spurs maestro as the most gifted midfielder he’s ever seen.
Campbell clarified that his choice was based on Gascoigne being injury-free, but even with that caveat, he firmly believes no other midfielder comes close to Gazza’s natural talent.