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Claude Makelele was the man who defined the role of the modern day defensive midfielderThe role of a defensive midfielder is one that is quite seldom appreciated. They do not have the flashy flamboyant style other outfield players possess but their importance is usually highlighted when two very strong teams play each other. Take for example the Chelsea vs Arsenal game from last weekend, the game was further evidence of Arsenal’s lack of a proper defensive midfielder.In modern day football, the role of a defensive midfielder becomes more and more important as the managers ask their full backs to push up the field often leaving their team vulnerable to counter attacks. The defensive midfielder almost acts like a pseudo centre back who sits in between the centre backs and rarely ventures forward. Their major job is to break up the opposition play.It was the former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele who reinvented the holding midfielder role in the modern day format. So we take a look at the top 5 defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Source for Statistics: SQUAWKA
#5 Daley Blind
Daley Blind is a versatile player who is equally capable of playing as a left back and as a defensive midfielder.
The former Ajax man and son of Danny Blind made a switch to Manchester United this season following an impressive World Cup with the Dutch National Team where he played under current manager Louis van Gaal.
Blind has operated as a defensive midfielder so far for Manchester United and he was predominantly played in the same position last season by Ajax. His impressive performances earned him the Dutch Footballer of the Year award. The prestigious award was previously won by players like Wilfried Bony, Jan Vertonghen and Luis Suarez who have all gone on to excel in the Premier League.
Last season, the Dutch International averaged 2.71 interceptions every ninety minutes which is more than anyone else on this list, in addition to this he also commits the least number of fouls every 90 minutes in comparison to everyone else on the list with just over one foul every ninety minutes.
So far Blind has had a good start to his career at Old Trafford and it remains to be seen how well he can prosper in the Premier League as time goes on.
#4 Gareth Barry
It is no news that the England national team are in need of a proper defensive midfielder in their set up, but it is surprising that Gareth Barry is still being overlooked by manager Roy Hodgson. Barry who made a loan move to Everton last summer was impressive for the Blues and there were plenty of supporters who expected him to make the England squad for the World Cup.
England manager Roy Hodgson decided to leave the former Aston Villa man out of the national team set up, and continues to ignore him even after the retirement of Steven Gerrard who played the defensive midfielder role for England at the World Cup. Even then Barry has openly said that he hasn't given up on the hope of returning to the England National team.
Last season Barry averaged an impressive 2.12 tackles every ninety minutes and 2.69 clearances every ninety minutes which is second only to Nemanja Matic on this list.
#3 Fernandinho
Fernandinho made his switch from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City last season with the target of making the Brazil team to play the World Cup in 2014. The Brazilian achieved his target and played a pivotal role for the Manchester City side as they lifted the league title last season.
His role at City had a very big impact on City's style of play. Fernandinho played the anchor role in midfield for the Citizens and this allowed Yaya Toure to go forward more and more and he troubled the opposition defence regularly.
The Brazilian’s best displays last season were in big games against Arsenal at home and Manchester United away, which again highlighted the importance of a proper defensive midfielder. He was also adjudged man of the match on both occasions.
Unlike most modern day defensive midfielders, Fernandinho likes to go forward often and he was rewarded for this with five goals last season. Even then he boasts an average of 2.45 tackles and 2 interceptions every ninety minutes.
#2 Morgan Schneiderlin
The Frenchman joined the Saints in 2008 and helped them move up the ladder in English football into the Premier League in 2012. Although many players who shine in the lower leagues struggle to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, such an incident eluded Schneiderlin. In fact his first season in the Premier League was so impressive that he picked up the Southampton Fans’ as well as Players’ Player of the Year awards at the end of the season.
In addition to this at the end of the season he was also credited with the most tackles, interceptions and the highest work rate in the Premier League and established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in England.
He followed up this performance in the next season and finally earned himself a well-deserved place in the France National Team and travelled with them to the World Cup in Brazil, where he played the full 90 minutes against Ecuador.
Schneiderlin was the subject of heavy transfer interest from Spurs and Arsenal prior to the start of the season but the Saints kept him at St. Mary’s with some difficulty. This proved to be a very important factor in their bright start to the season as Schneiderlin has been in top form and has even found the back of the net three times in seven games. As of now the Frenchman averages 2.86 tackles every 90 minutes, which is more than anyone else on this list.
#1 Nemanja Matic
Chelsea had Claude Makelele to fill in the role of a defensive midfielder with great effect during the initial years of the Roman Abramovich era, and after this they relied majorly on John Obi Mikel who has never really completely impressed.
When Jose Mourinho took over at Stamford Bridge for the second time, he played Mikel, Ramires and David Luiz in the defensive midfield role, but none of them were up to the standards he demanded and this was precisely the reason why Chelsea brought back Nemanja Matic to the Bridge. The Serb had won the Player of the year award in Primeira Liga (The Portuguese League) in the 2012-13 season and his acquisition was deemed to be a good one even before he played a game.
Matic’s first start for Chelsea was against Manchester City in an away game and the big Serbian was named the man of the match for his impressive performance. Not only did he help keep the City attack at bay, he also managed to take a shot from 30 yards out which had Joe Hart beaten but unfortunately hit the post.
Ever since Matic’s return to Chelsea he has been the undisputed first choice defensive midfielder for Chelsea in the Premier League and the Champions League games. Matic is surely the closest solution Chelsea have had since the departure of Makelele. Last season Matic averaged an impressive 4.29 clearances every 90 minutes, which is more than any other player on the list.
On a different note Matic was runner up to the Puskas award in 2013 behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
