Jonathan Woodgate has revealed former Cardiff City star Stephen McPhail was the best player he featured alongside during his time with Leeds United.
Woodgate started his professional career with the Whites and made 142 appearances for the club before joining Newcastle United midway through the 2002/03 campaign.
McPhail progressed through the ranks at Elland Road in the late 1990s and early 2000s before joining the Bluebirds in 2006 following spells with Millwall, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley.
He was a pivotal figure in the Dave Jones era at Cardiff and starred in his side's dream run to the FA Cup final in 2008.
And when asked to name the best player he played alongside during his time at Leeds, Woodgate had no hesitation in talking up McPhail's talents.
"Stephen McPhail, in the youth team. He used to control the midfield," he told Jamie Carragher's The Greatest Game podcast.
"Left footer. He was silky on the eye. His weight of pass, timing, everything, he could just control a game. He was loved at Leeds. He made a lot of appearances for Leeds, but I didn't think he didn't had the athleticism."
Podcast host and current Sky Sports pundit Carragher went on to reveal that his former Liverpool and England team mate Steven Gerrard previously described McPhail as one of his toughest ever opponents.
"Stevie told me a story about Stephen McPhail," said Carragher.
"I remember Stevie telling me, it might have been for England's Under-18s or Under-16s, he always says 'he was one of the best players I ever played against'."
Former Republic of Ireland international McPhail had stints with Sheffield Wednesday and Shamrock Rovers before calling time on his career in 2016.
Woodgate also played alongside former Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy during his time at Newcastle.
Bellamy had two stints with his home town club at the back end of what was a glittering career at the top end of professional football.
And Woodgate has stated that the former Wales international was always among the best players in training, although he revealed Bellamy would often cross the line when it came to criticising others.
"I used to give him stick because he used to hammer other people, so I thought 'if you're going to hammer people, you're going to get it off me'," said Woodgate.
"Bellers was an unbelievable trainer. What he did sometimes, he used to give people a bit too much stick. So I used to give him a go as well, and when you give him a bit, he backs down a bit.
"But, a great lad. I've spoken to him a few times now he's over in Belgium in coaching. He's doing really well, he enjoys it.
"He absolutely adores the game and he always has done, so I hope he does really well."