The argument about who was the best midfielder among Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Paul Scholes is the kind of football talk that can fuel a whole pub night. You know the drill—everyone's got their favorite, and they'll defend their pick to the bitter end. For former Tottenham and England winger Aaron Lennon, however, the choice was surprisingly clear, and it wasn't based on stats or trophies alone. It came from a feeling, one he got every time he stepped onto the training pitch with the England national team.

Lennon's perspective is unique because it cuts through the usual fanfare. He isn't just looking at Premier League titles (Scholes' 11), iconic loyalty (Gerrard at Liverpool), or otherworldly goal tallies (Lampard's). He's talking about the raw, day-to-day impact of being on the same team as one of these legends. For him, Steven Gerrard wasn't just a great player; he was a walking, talking guarantee of victory, even in a simple training session.

The "Gerrard Effect" in Training

Lennon famously told Rio Ferdinand about this phenomenon. He described a simple truth: if you were on Stevie G's team, you were winning that day. Period. It didn't matter what they were playing—a small-sided possession game, a full 11 vs. 11 match—the presence of the Liverpool captain tilted the entire session.

"I felt like, even in training, if I’m on Stevie’s team, we’re going to win today," Lennon said. "Even if it was possession or a small-sided game, whether it be an 11 vs 11, I felt Stevie had that influence on the session."

That's the ultimate compliment from a fellow professional. It speaks to an aura, an intangible quality that goes beyond technique. It's the kind of leadership that makes everyone around them raise their game. Lennon's experience highlights what stats can't capture: the psychological edge Gerrard provided just by being there.

Breaking Down the "Big Three"

To understand Lennon's pick, let's quickly look at what made each of the three so special. It really does come down to what you value most in a midfielder:

Each was a master of their craft:

• Scholes was the orchestra conductor, pulling strings from deep. Pep Guardiola and Thierry Henry were among his biggest admirers, marveling at his natural talent.

• Lampard redefined the attacking midfielder role with his uncanny ability to arrive in the box and score. He has fans like Sergio Agüero in his corner.

• Gerrard was the all-action hero. He could do a bit of everything: tackle, pass, shoot from anywhere, and lead with pure passion. Former midfielders like Cesc Fàbregas and Bryan Robson often side with him.

So, Lennon picking Gerrard isn't a dismissal of the others' greatness. It's a personal testimony to a specific type of influence.

Lennon and Gerrard: Teammates and Rivals

Their history adds weight to Lennon's opinion. He played alongside Gerrard for England on 18 occasions between 2006 and 2013. Their first match together was a 6-0 friendly win over Jamaica at Old Trafford in 2006. At the club level, however, they were fierce rivals. Lennon's Tottenham faced Gerrard's Liverpool eight times. The head-to-head record was incredibly even:

• ✅ Lennon's Spurs won: 3 times

• ✅ Gerrard's Liverpool won: 3 times

• 🤝 Draws: 2 times

This duality—teammate on international duty, opponent in the Premier League—gave Lennon a 360-degree view of Gerrard. He experienced the boost of having him as an ally and the challenge of facing him as a foe.

The Intangibles That Made Gerrard Special

Lennon's comments point to the qualities that made Gerrard a nightmare for opponents and a dream for teammates:

1. Physical and Technical Dominance: He was a force of nature—strong, powerful, and with technical ability that was "second to none."

2. Tempo Dictation: Gerrard controlled the pace of a game. He could slow it down with a pinpoint 50-yard pass or ignite it with a surging run and thunderous shot.

3. The Leadership Aura: This is the big one. He made you believe you would win. In training or in a cup final, his mentality was contagious.

In the end, the Lampard-Gerrard-Scholes debate will rage on forever. There's no definitive answer, and that's part of the fun. For Aaron Lennon, though, the answer was found not in trophy cabinets or highlight reels, but in the simple, undeniable feeling of confidence that came from having Steven Gerrard on his side. It was the ultimate professional endorsement: pick him, and you've already got a head start. Sometimes, the best player isn't the one with the most medals; it's the one who makes everyone else feel like champions.