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Every year, Konami releases a new iteration of their popular football simulation video game, Pro Evolution Soccer, and this year is no different as PES 2019 released on 30 August 2018 for Xbox One, PS4 and PC (via Steam).
This year's rendition brings a host of changes to the overall design and game mechanics, bringing it closer to a more realistic representation of the world's most famous sport.
Be it a virtual game or a real match, winning in football requires a strong midfield because it holds the key for controlling the pitch. Often, the midfielders play a crucial role in launching decisive through balls cutting the oppositions' defence and creating clear goalscoring chances. At times, one could strategically use the midfield to hold possession and ward off counter attacks as well.
In this article, let us take a close look at 10 highest-rated midfielders in PES 2019 that you should include in your team to have a winning edge over your opponent.
Note: All stats are taken from PESMASTER.
#10 Arturo Vidal (FC Barcelona) - 87
Arturo Vidal boasts a rating of 87 overall in PES 2019, one point less than last year. The 31-year-old Chilean central midfielder is a wonderful box-to-box player that could make the difference for your team.
Vidal is a 'workhorse' in PES 2019 and has a rating of 90 for his stamina. Furthermore, he demonstrates 80+ ratings for both passing and ball-winning attributes, allowing the player to deploy him in either an attacking or defensive position.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 85
Dribbling - 78
Physical - 80
Defending - 85
#9 Thiago Alcantara (Free Agent) - 87
The 27-year-old Spanish central midfielder is a wonderful addition to any team on PES 2019. Thiago's passing skills are exceptional in the game, and one could use him to pick players with driven long and short passes with relative ease.
The Spaniard also possesses incredible ball control and dribbling abilities, making him an ideal player for holding the ball in key areas. 'One-touch passing' and 'pinpoint crossing' skills are an added bonus.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 90
Dribbling - 92
Physical - 60
Defending - 76
#8 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) - 87
Mesut Ozil flaunts an 87 overall in PES 2019, which is one point less than what he had last time. The German creative midfielder is very effective when playing as a central attacking midfielder, in the hole, right behind the main striker.
Additionally, Ozil is equally good while playing on the wings, thanks to his 'pinpoint crossing' and 'low lofted pass' skills in the game. The 30-year-old has outstanding ratings for ball control, passing and dribbling, which validates his status as a bona-fide creator.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 94
Dribbling - 88
Physical - 67
Defending - 52
#7 James Rodriguez (Free Agent) - 87
James Rodriguez sees an increase in his rating from 85 to 87. The Columbian midfielder rose on the rating scale, thanks to his consistent performances last season with Bayern Munich.
Rodriguez is excellent on the ball and can play both as a striker and an attacking midfielder. Furthermore, the Columbian is very good at set-pieces as well.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 87
Dribbling - 85
Physical - 71
Defending - 55
#6 Christian Eriksen (North East London) - 87
In PES 2019, Christian Eriksen receives an 87 overall, along with a 'box-to-box' playing style, making him an excellent attacking midfielder in the game.
The 26-year-old footballer from Denmark possesses the 'driven pass' skill, along with the 'dipping shot', which makes him a dangerous player at the edge of the box. Additionally, his shooting ability is equally good, which allows him to play as a second striker as well.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 89
Dribbling - 85
Physical - 65
Defending - 60
#5 N'Golo Kante (London FC) - 87
N'Golo Kante is easily one of the best defensive midfielders in the game, thanks to his near-perfect ratings for defensive prowess and ball-winning. With a 96 rating for stamina, the Frenchman could run the entire game and still have something left in the tank.
The 27-year-old boasts 'interception' and 'track back' skills along with 'one-touch pass' and 'weighted pass' skills.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 86
Dribbling - 80
Physical - 79
Defending - 94
#4 David Silva (Man Blue) - 87
David Silva retains his 87 overall for this year. Though the 32-year-old Spanish midfielder no longer brags a 90+ overall, he still is a very effective player in the game.
The creative playmaker is an elite passer, and one can create loads of chances with him in the team. Moreover, the Spaniard is equally good on the flanks. And, with his 'pinpoint crossing' skill, one could use Silva to whip in dangerous early crosses for the striker.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 93
Dribbling - 89
Physical - 64
Defending - 55
#3 Luka Modric (MD White) - 89
The 33-year-old central midfielder retains his overall rating from last time. The ever-so-reliable footballer comes very handy in the game, if the player has a central attacking midfield slot in his formation.
Luka Modric possesses a 'box-to-box' playing style in the game, and his excellent passing and ball control skills make him a deadly player in the opposition's half. Also, 'one-touch pass' and 'weighted pass' skills add to his midfield prowess.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 94
Dribbling - 87
Physical - 62
Defending - 72
#2 Toni Kroos (MD White) - 90
The 28-year-old German central midfielder possesses 90 overall, which is 2 points higher than the overall seen in PES 2018. He is the joint highest-rated midfielder in the game.
Toni Kroos flaunts near-perfect stats for passing, and with his various passing skills, he could be used as an orchestrator of attacks in the game. Moreover, with decent stats for defending and shooting, the German is effective as both an offensive and a defensive midfielder.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 96
Dribbling - 80
Physical - 80
Defending - 77
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Man Blue) - 90
Kevin De Bruyne is the joint highest-rated midfielder in PES 2019. The Belgian is rated 90 in the game, three points higher than in the previous game, which is down to his spectacular performances under Pep Guardiola last season.
With 90+ ratings for passing and ball control, the 27-year-old midfielder is a pinpoint crosser and is thus dangerous while playing on the wings. Additionally, the 'rising shot' skill, combined with an 84-rated finishing attribute, means that De Bruyne can hammer home spectacular shots from outside the box.
MAIN ATTRIBUTES:
Passing - 92
Dribbling - 87
Physical - 74
Defending - 51
