Midfielders are the ones who run the game of football. They are crucial in setting up the style of play and controlling the flow of the game.
These players are the link between attack and defence often playing defence-splitting passes and breaking up opposition play as and when required. This season the top European leagues have witnessed many amazing midfielders go about their business.
All the best teams across Europe have that one player who is capable of making a difference at the centre of the field. We take a look at the 10 best midfielders across Europe this season.
#10 Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)
Arturo Vidal was considered to be a flop in the early parts of the season when he failed to replicate his form with Juventus. However, as the season went by Vidal started showing his value putting in all action displays week in and week out for the German giants.
The Chilean was particularly impressive in the Champions League scoring vital goals home and away in the quarter-finals against Benfica. His energy, drive, running and the knack of scoring crucial goals has made him the most important midfielder in the Bayern Munich side.
Vidal has already been linked with a move to Conte’s Chelsea and Ancelotti will be hoping that the Chilean continues to put in his virtuoso performances in central midfield for Bayern Munich next season.
#9 Paul Pogba (Juventus)
The talented Frenchman has long been linked with a big money move to either the La Liga or Premier League and he did his reputation no harm with his performances this season. Pogba like Juventus started the season slowly, but just like Juventus, he rediscovered his best form towards the latter part of the season.
The midfielder has scored 9 goals and has 15 assists this season and his all action displays helped Juventus create history by winning the Scudetto 5 times consecutively. The Frenchman is considered to be one of the most complete midfielders in the game.
Pogba has been a crucial part of Juventus’ dominance in the recent seasons and the side from Turin will be desperate to retain the services of one of the most talented midfielders in the world.
#8 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Mesut Ozil has enhanced his reputation as the assist master. The German playmaker started off the season in stunning form playing many key passes and scoring crucial goals. The left-footed magician seemed to find the gap in the tiniest of spaces making the ball travel in improbable angles.
One of the stars of this Arsenal side, Ozil’s form was so good that many people believed that this would finally be the year that Wenger and his men won the Premier League title. However, Ozil’s form slightly tapered off in the second half of the season and Arsenal struggled to unlock defences without the German pass master.
With 18 assists this season in the Premier League, Arsenal's Ozil has definitely been the creator in chief for the Gunners.
#7 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
That no one really talks about Xavi other than in reverential terms now hints at the great job that Rakitic has undertaken. He is the perfect type of midfielder for the style that Luis Enrique wishes his Barcelona to play. Rakitic’s hard work and running in midfield is what allows the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suarez to play freely and always be in attacking positions.
His knowledge of the game, understanding of instructions and ability to put them into practice in the blink of an eye is virtually peerless. His contributions to the team in the short time he has been in Barcelona have been many and it doesn’t seem to matter from which position he is asked to play either. The Croat is always in the right place at the right time and his style is a perfect accompaniment to the twinkle-toed Andres Iniesta.
Whether defensively minded, in an attacking role or more centrally, Rakitic is intelligent enough to not only get the best from himself, but also from his colleagues. Rakitic has had 9 goals and 6 assists in yet another solid season.
#6 Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)
When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre, but not even the most optimistic of West Ham fans would have imagined the impact he has had at the Hammers.
The Frenchman has put in some amazing displays for West Ham this season and has become a firm fan favourite. The first truly world-class star to play for West Ham since the departures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Payet has been instrumental in West Ham’s good showing this season.
His performances have drawn praise from all quarters and the Hammers’ manager showed just how impressed he was when he said:
"I have to get poetry lessons to describe his importance to us," said Croatian Bilic.
"I haven't seen better players than that. He is also doing the dirty work and on the ball he is up there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far, Dimitri is one of the best I have trained and every week I want these questions about him to continue, but it is hard to be surprised."
#5 Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid is a team full of superstars. The Ronaldos, Bales, Jameses and Iscos of the world will always have a place in the Real Madrid team. However, when they come across a team which has a well drilled defense, they rely on their midfield maestro Luka Modric to break down the opposition.
Xabi Alonso was an expert in providing long passes and spraying the ball around while Angel Di Maria pulled the opposition players out of position through his direct running. Modric is a player who can do both and that is why he is absolutely integral to Real Madrid’s style of play.
The Croatian's ability to tackle in defence, secure the ball and then feed the forwards is simply stunning. His remarkable calm when carrying the ball converted what for other midfielders would be uncomfortable situations into attacking scenarios.
Modric has been absolutely important for Real Madrid this season and there is a marked difference in how Los Blancos play with and without the Croatian playmaker.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has shown why Manchester City forked out a staggering £55 million to secure his services this season. With 11 goals and 10 assists for Manchester City this season, the Belgian playmaker has settled in at the Premier League wonderfully.
The Belgian was at Chelsea a few seasons back, but he was inexplicably not given enough chances to make much of an impact. However after an extremely successful spell at Wolfsburg, De Bruyne has just continued his stunning form settling in effortlessly at the Premier League.
The Belgian has become such a crucial part of Manchester City that his injury immediately saw a dip in form for the Citizens. Pellegrini has been absolutely thrilled with De Bruyne’s impact and he has hailed him as the perfect player:
"We bought Kevin because we knew is a very creative player who can score and create goals and in that respect he was the perfect player to bring to our club," Pellegrini said.
The Belgian has certainly created and scored his share of goals for Manchester City this season playing a crucial role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals.
#3 Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
The all-conquering Barcelona side have an attacking trident which is the envy of the whole world. However, the player who is most vital for Barcelona’s unique system to work is Sergio Busquets.
The Spaniard often does the dirty work in the middle of the park without which Barcelona cannot play the beautiful football they are renowned for.
Busquets is known for the pivotal midfield-anchor role that he plays for both Barcelona and the Spanish national side. A hard-working player, he excels at breaking down opposition plays due to his positional sense, defensive attributes, tactical intelligence, and ability to read the game. He is the reason Barcelona can play flawless tiki-taka without moving into their defensive half.
The importance of Busquets to the team can perhaps be best summed up by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
In spite of the rivalry and one incidence of a red card earned due to Busquets' play acting, this is what Sergio Ramos had to say about him: "There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets"
#2 Koke (Atletico Madrid)
Atletico Madrid have had another wonderful season under Diego Simeone this year, and the man who has pulled the strings in the midfield for Rojiblancos has been Spanish midfielder Koke. Koke has played a crucial role assisting in both defence and attack and making things tick in the centre of the park.
His combination play with both Torres and Antoine Griezmann has been amazing this season and his assists have helped Atletico compete in the La Liga and reach the finals in the Champions League.
The Spaniard has easily been the best midfielder at Atletico Madrid this season and he will be looking to continue his good form for Spain in the Euros. Koke has even been praised by one of the best midfielders in the game, Xavi. He said:
“He has everything: talent, physical ability, he is a footballer of the present and the future... He has been marked out as the conductor of Spain's orchestra for the next 10 years. I have a special affection for him because we play in the same position and I think he is an extraordinary player.”
#1 N’golo Kante (Leicester City)
Leicester City have captured everyone’s imagination with their stunning performances this season. While Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have run away with all the plaudits, the importance of N’golo Kante’s performances in the central midfielder’s role cannot be overstated.
The French midfielder arrived from Caen last summer for a fee of £ 5.6 million and it is now looking like one of the bargain buys of this season. Kante’s positional sense and awareness of the game is second to none and he heads the list for the most interceptions in the Premier League.
Kante’s ability to regain possession in the centre of the park has been vital, while his willingness to storm forward with the ball at his feet has created many openings for Leicester City this season.
In a recent interview with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sera, Ranieri praised Kante’s energy, awareness and reading of the game.
“It will not surprise me the day he crosses the ball from the flank and gets into the penalty area to head it,” the Italian said.
“He is someone who knows where the ball will go, knows where the opposition will move, knows everything first.”
Kante and co created history as Leicester City completed their fairytale season by winning the Premier League title.
