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Midfielders play a key role in football as they are the link between a team's attack and defence. They don a series of roles in the middle third of the pitch. They play as deep-lying midfielders, playmakers, box-to-box midfielders or holding midfielders, to name a few.
Most top teams in the world have world-class midfielders orchestrating their play from the middle of the park or acting as an effective conduit between attack and defence. Some of the most prominent active names in this regard are Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcantara, N'Golo Kante, Bruno Fernandes and Toni Kroos.
Five world-class midfielders who do get as much attention as they deserve
It so happens that some midfield players, despite being of world-class pedigree, do not get the attention or recognition they deserve for a plethora of reasons.
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On that note, let us have a look at five such players.
#5 Christopher Nkunku (Leipzig)
Christopher Nkunku has quietly made a name for himself at Julian Nagelsmann's youthful side since arriving at RB Leipzig last summer.
The 23-year-old produced an impressive 15 Bundesliga assists last season - only Thomas Muller (21) and Jadon Sancho (17) had more - helping Leipzig to a creditable third place behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Four of these assists came in a remarkable game against Schalke.
Nkunku can play in a number of midfield positions, but it is in central attacking midfield where he has impressed the most, thanks to his dribbling prowess, shooting ability and eye for goal.
The former PSG player, who scored five times in all competitions last summer, made only four assists for the French club in four years but has already quadrupled that tally in a year.
Nkunku, who has already scored in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, has prospered under Julian Nagelsmann's tactical system and could soon land at a bigger club if he continues his development.
#4 Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
One of the finest Italian midfielders to have emerged in recent times, Nicolo Barella made his name at Cagliari before Inter Milan landed him last summer.
The 23-year-old player regained possession and won more duels than any player in Serie A to catch the attention of Inter Milan. The club had a decent 2019-20 season, finishing a point adrift of champions Juventus in Serie A and losing a five-goal thriller against Sevilla in the Europa League final.
Not surprisingly, Barella impressed in both competitions, producing eight goal-contributions and winning several key battles while excelling in the role of a mezzala, the link between attack and defence.
Barella, who is reportedly in the radars of Liverpool and Manchester United, has credited Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte for his rapid development, saying in this regard:
“He has helped me a lot, I think I have grown more in terms of managing matches. Now I know better when to go to the penalty box, when to wait and when to make the decisive play. In this regard he helped me a lot.”
#3 Fabian Ruiz (Napoli)
Fabian Ruiz has been a standout player in the Napoli midfield since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2018.
The former Real Betis player slotted seamlessly into the Napoli line-up, producing an impressive ten goal contributions in various competitions in his debut season at the club.
Ruiz has also been on song this season, scoring a goal and an assist in eight league games, performances that have reportedly rekindled interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
A left-footed central midfielder, the Spanish player is renowned for his passing skills, ball-playing prowess, dribbling ability and versatility, attributes that could be endearing to a number of top clubs in the continent.
#2 Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Georginio Wijnaldum has been a key player for Liverpool since his arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2016.
The Dutch player, who plays in central midfield, has played at least 33 league games in each of his four seasons at the club, the last of which produced Liverpool's first-ever league triumph in three decades.
Wijnaldum is rarely in the spotlight in a star-studded team comprising of more illustrious players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Alisson Becker.
The player has recently emerged from the spotlight of his compatriot Van Dijk, who has suffered a long-term injury, with his recent performances for Netherlands attracting interest from a series of top clubs across the continent.
Klopp said as much about the importance of Wijnaldum in the Liverpool:team:
“I am pretty happy with Gini. You can see that when you see most of the line-ups! He always played good, that’s why he played so many games. And he has played plenty of positions, different positions. He’s in a good moment, thank God! Long may it continue."
#1 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur)
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was signed up by Tottenham Hotspur this summer, did not take much time to hit his stride at his new club, particularly standing out in Spurs' impressive Premier League win over Manchester City.
Hojbjerg arrived at Spurs with a 'nasty' reputation of breaking up opposition play - he won possession more times than any other player in the Premier League last season. Endeared by these attributes, Jose Mourinho - a manager who doesn't mind winning ugly - landed the Danish midfielder at high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.
Hojbjerg has brought much-needed steel to the Spurs midfield. Although he does not score too many goals or produce assists to hog the limelight - blame it on Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min for that - the Dane is becoming an indispensable player under Mourinho.
Against Manchester City, the 25-year-old Dane executed Mourinho's tactical gameplan to perfection. The form of Hojbjerg and his ability to do more of the 'dirty work' could be pivotal in Spurs winning their first Premier League title this season.
