World Football: Power Ranking the Best British Midfielders Still Playing Today

British midfielders are constantly being criticised that they are trained professionals, not naturally gifted players.

Born, not bred, seems of the essence in Spain. It's obviously working, demonstrated by the fact that even Cesc Fabregas cannot break into the Spanish starting 11.

However, there are some pretty good English midfielders out there. Here are a couple of my Premier League favourites.

9. Joey Barton

This place, for me, is the easiest to argue against. Joey Barton has massive amounts of confidence and some of it is misplaced, but the fact remains—he can play football.

Newcastle came up to the Premier League last year and finished higher than they were expecting.

This season, Barton has really helped Newcastle climb the table, making crunching tackles and clever passes. His mentality is sometimes questionable, but he is definitely a useful player to have.

8. Aaron Lennon

When Aaron Lennon is on form, he's an absolute genius. He has tremendous speed, good vision and an uncanny ability to take players on with ease. Tottenham have a great winger in Lennon, as he is 24 years old and talented. His crossing ability is usually very good, and his work rate is usually commendable.

He is currently being chased by Liverpool, but a deal looks unlikely. He'll be plying his trade at White Hart Lane next season.

7. Theo Walcott

Since going to the World Cup in 2006, Theo Walcott has improved massively. His athletic ability is phenomenal, his speed astounding and his control brilliant. He has scored and assisted for Arsenal many times this season. In my opinion he is extremely underrated for what he brings to a football club.

6. Adam Johnson

The third winger in a row, but there's only one more to come.

Adam Johnson has been kept out of the Manchester City squad by many players, but the reason why remains a mystery to me.

In my opinion, Johnson is a better player than Theo Walcott as far as the England setup is concerned. He can dribble, cross and more importantly for me, cut inside and shoot. The last factor there is what sets him apart from Walcott and what confirms him as a better, younger version of Stuart Downing.

5. Charlie Adam

Unfortunately the pictures from Liverpool's preseason tour of Asia aren't up yet, so we'll have to pretend he's wearing the Liverpool red.

Charlie Adam brings to midfield almost exactly what Xabi Alonso did. His passing is deadly, but it's not all about the long-range missiles he launches to others.

Sometimes, when a game is particularly difficult, like against United or Chelsea, a player is required to slow the pace down, to calm things down and start a carefully measured attack. Adam does this brilliantly, which is why he will be crucial to Liverpool next year.

His dead ball ability is brilliant, too. Just something to end on, really.

4. Ashley Young

There we are, The last winger on this list.

Ashley Young is the best English winger out there. His pace and trickery make him a nightmare to mark. His crossing ability makes others nightmares to mark. His shooting makes the goal impossible to defend.

How do you stop him? Breaking his leg might work, yes.

The point is, it's incredibly difficult. Whether he will have the chance to prove that at United with the likes of Nani and Antonio Valencia remains to be seen.

3. Frank Lampard

He's getting on in age, but he is still brilliant. Frank Lampard finds space the way no one else can. His box to box play makes him incredibly useful both defending and attacking. Lampard finds pockets of space in the penalty area, and his finishing is second to none, making him one of the most deadly midfielders in the Premier League.

Lampard is incredibly reliable from the penalty spot. Time and time again he has been asked to take the spot kicks on international duty. Time and time again, he scores.

2. Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere is my second favourite midfielder out there. He is what I think an attacking midfielder should be like.

He runs with the ball and at times, the ball seems glued on to his boots. His passing is fantastic, especially within the final third. He is reliable and rarely makes mistakes. He shoots and is not afraid of missing.

But, the thing that astounds and impresses me most is the fact that he is still only 19. To put that in perspective, that is 15 years younger than Frank Lampard and 11 years younger than the next man on the list.

1. Steven Gerrard

England are one down in a friendly that potentially decides the national manager's future. Everything is lost, surely? No. Steven Gerrard fires in one long-range strike before a magical second. England run out 2-1 winners.

Liverpool are three down at halftime in the 2005 Champions League Final. Dominated and humiliated, Liverpool run out the tunnel with only the words of their skipper and manager in their heads. Ten minutes later, Gerrard scores. Then five minutes later, he wins a penalty that equalises the game before putting his body on the line as right back against Kaka. He then lifts the Champions League trophy as winner.

Liverpool are seconds away from losing the 2005 FA Cup final. The ball comes to Gerrard, who shoots and scores from 26 yards. He then lifts the FA Cup.

There are many more of these moments, but the fact is that Gerrard has been one of the solitary rays of hopes for Liverpool football club recently,

He is one of the best midfielders ever and deserves to win this, hands down.

Thanks for reading. Anything you feel is wrong, comment.