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In football, players in different positions have different goals on the pitch. Strikers are expected to score goals and goalkeepers are expected to keep the ball from finding its way into the goal.
Similarly, central midfielders in football are expected to be good tacklers, passers and readers of the game. They are meant to control the game, but some central midfielders excel in another facet of the game, i.e., scoring.
A number of midfielders have enjoyed good spells in front of goal in the past, including Ruud Gullit and Michel Platini. In the modern game, every player on the pitch is expected to be good at multiple skills. Hence, we have seen and continue to see many central midfielders in the 21st century who find their names on the scoresheet quite often.
On that note, here is a list of the five highest goalscoring central midfielders who played in the 21st century.
#5 Cesc Fabregas (140 goals)
Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas is fondly remembered for his ability to pick a pass like very few other players could. This general perception of Fabregas masked his goalscoring ability, as the Spaniard scored a good number of goals from his midfield position.
Fabregas made his professional bow at 16 years of age for Arsenal and went on to become the club's captain before moving to Barcelona in 2011.
The midfielder has scored 140 goals in his career so far for club and country. The midfielder has scored 125 goals in club football and 15 for Spain's national team. His most prolific spell came as an Arsenal player, when he scored 57 goals. He also managed 42 goals as a Barcelona player and 22 for Chelsea.
The 34-year-old currently plies his trade in the French Ligue 1 with AS Monaco, and he has scored four goals since joining in 2019. The midfielder is an expert at arriving in the box, and has enabledabled him to score many goals in his career.
#4 Arturo Vidal (141 goals)
Known for his trademark fiery temper and standout hairstyle, Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal is one of the most recognizable players in the world. The Inter Milan man has scored an impressive number of goals in his career to date.
Vidal has turned out for many of Europe's elite sides like Inter Milan, Juventus, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The combative midfielder has surprisingly scored 141 goals in his career so far for club and country. His 109 goals have come in the colours of his various clubs, and he has scored 32 times for Chile. His most prolific spell in front of goal was as a Juventus player when he scored 48 times.
Vidal, 34, is still a key player for Inter Milan this season, having already made 25 appearances. He has found the net twice this season for Simone Inzaghi's side.
#3 Paul Scholes (166 goals)
Manchester United and England great Paul Scholes is certainly remembered for his goalscoring ability. The retired midfielder enjoyed an amazing career at Old Trafford and left a legacy as one of the most talented central midfielders of his generation.
The former England international was a member of the Class of 92 with Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.
Scholes was brilliant and technically gifted on the ball, and this made him one of the best English midfielders of his time. He scored a respectable 166 goals in his career, with 152 coming for Manchester United and 14 for the English national team.
Scholes was known for his impressive shooting technique and ability to find the net with long range shots. The Englishman is certainly one of the best midfielders to grace the Premier League.
#2 Steven Gerrard (212 goals)
Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders to have graced the Premier League. The Englishman played for Liverpool throughout his time in the Premier League. He then moved to the LA Galaxy in the United States in 2015, where he saw out the rest of his playing career.
Gerrard was not only a great midfielder, he was also a great leader for club and country. He captained Liverpool and scored in their memorable UEFA Champions League final win over AC Milan in 2005. The Reds inspired an incredible comeback from being 3-0 down in the first half to win on penalties, with Gerrard scoring their first goal.
The Englishman scored a total of 212 goals in his playing career for club and country. He scored 191 goals in club football and 12 goals for the English national team.
Gerrard is currently the manager of Aston Villa in the Premier League, having been appointed in December 2021. He previously led Scottish giants Rangers to the league title in Scotland in 2021 in his first job in management.
#1 Frank Lampard (295 goals)
England and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is widely regarded as the best goalscoring midfielder of the 21st century. He has the numbers to back up this claim as well.
Lampard enjoyed a stellar playing career for club and country. He made his professional bow at West Ham United, but made his name as a Chelsea player. He is Chelsea's all-time record goalscorer with 211 goals for the club.
The Englishman scored 295 times from midfield in his glittering career, including 266 in club football and 29 for the national team. He is also fifth on the list of Premier League record goalscorers.
Lampard presently manages Premier League outfit Everton, after previously being in charge of Chelsea and Derby County since hanging his boots. The legendary midfielder scored more goals as a player than any other midfielder in his generation.
