Scholes claims Tonali is best midfielder in Premier League: ‘Better than Declan Rice’ | OneFootball

Legendary former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that Italy international Sandro Tonali is currently the best midfielder playing in the Premier League: ‘I think he’s better than Declan Rice’.

What Scholes said about Tonali: ‘Oh, he can run’

Scholes, himself considered one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history with 499 top-flight appearances, 102 goals and 11 league titles to his name, says that Tonali is his ‘favourite’ current favourite, and that he is the best of the Premier League’s current crop of midfielders.

The 66-time England international gave his thoughts on the best Premier League midfielders on a recent episode of The Overlap.

“I love Tonali at Newcastle. Oh, he can run. (Bruno) Guimarães as well. I’d probably choose Tonali at this point,” Scholes said.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James’ Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

When asked to clarify if he meant that Tonali is currently the best midfielder in the Premier League, he replied: “Yeah. Why? Are you going to say Declan Rice?

“Yes. I think he’s better than Declan Rice. I really like Declan Rice, don’t get me wrong. I think he’s got everything, I just think too many times he takes too many touches of the ball. I think he tries to look a little bit more stylish than he needs to.

“I think his physical attributes are brilliant, I think he can be a box-to-box, he can link, I think he can score goals, I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali. Is that okay?”