England fans regularly look back at the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ and ask themselves how they failed to progress past the quarter-finals of any tournament.It’s a question that has been asked on numerous occasions in the build-up to the summer’s World Cup - but there isn’t really a definitive answer.One theory that has been mentioned is the tense club rivalry in the Premier League at the time harming the atmosphere at the national side.When asked about the failings of the ‘Golden Generation’ on BT Sport, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard all agreed that the conflicts between the star players certainly didn’t help matters.“It was down to, from my perspective, the obsession with winning. I didn't want to see Frank have an edge on me,” Ferdinand admitted.

“It was the same with Stevie and England, when we were battling them (Liverpool) for the Premier League, I didn't want to sit around and have a beer with him because I didn't want to hear what Liverpool were doing... I think that's what held us back.”

Of course, other nations potentially have the same problem. But the Spanish players seemingly have no difficulty in putting their Barcelona and Real Madrid rivalry to one side when they represent the national side.

But club rivalry is an easy excuse to make. There were other issues for the Three Lions - such as the inability to fit the best players into the same side.

The biggest example of this was the dilemma between Paul Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard.

Despite dominating European football with their respective clubs, Gerrard and Lampard failed to form a midfield partnership with England. As for Scholes, he was often shunted out on the left wing.

Failing to get the best out of the three greatest midfielders England have ever was nothing short of disastrous.

But who was better? Scholes, Gerrard or Lampard?

Manchester United fans will say Scholes, Liverpool fans will say Gerrard and Chelsea fans will say Lampard.

But what about everyone else?

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RAN A POLL

Well, the Champions League’s official Twitter account asked that question on Friday afternoon.

THE FINAL RESULTS

They ran a poll for 24 hours asking “Which England midfielder makes your all-time #UCL XI?

The voting has just closed after 85,000 fans got involved - and here are the results:

Paul Scholes - 34%

Steven Gerrard - 40%

Frank Lampard - 26%

Of course, football fans are never going to agree on who was best but this goes some way to settling the debate.

Maybe we should just appreciate the trio for the world-class players that they were…