10 best midfielders in world football at the moment

Kroos Isco Thiago 10 best midfielders Nov 2017
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Midfielders are arguably the most important of all the footballing positions, as they are forever involved in the game, whether it be attack or defence.

We have seen some fantastic midfield performances this season, with plenty of defence-splitting passes and coupled with fantastic defensive performances as well.

Here are the 10 best midfielders in football right now:

Note: Performances from the current season are coupled with a midfielder's stature to decide the ranking.


#10 Nabil Fekir - Lyon

The midfielder currently taking Ligue 1 by storm, Nabil Fekir has ensured that Olympique Lyonnais have not felt the departure of Alexandre Lacazette too deeply, with the left-footed attacking midfielder now playing further up the pitch and getting amongst the goals this season, including some absolute stunners.

With 12 goals and 3 assists this season from just 15 appearances in all competitions so far, Fekir is one of the best midfielders in Europe, sparking off rumours of a move to the Premier League (Arsenal) and La Liga (Barcelona).

If they need an endorsement, here is national teammate Laurent Koscielny on the Lyon midfielder, "Nabil has got huge technical skills. He’s a bit like Messi with his small steps when he runs with the ball in a one-on-one. He’s able to make a difference on the pitch, with a good one-on-one or an assist or a goal."

If he continues in the same vein, it won't be long before he moves up this list.

#9 Miralem Pjanic - Juventus

Juventus FC v Bologna FC - Serie A
Juventus FC v Bologna FC - Serie A

Despite Juventus being second to Napoli in the table, it is Miralem Pjanic who is probably the best central midfielder in Serie A at the moment, with the Bosnian continuing his stellar form from last season that saw the Bianconeri win the Scudetto and reach the UEFA Champions League final.

In 9 appearances for Juve in Serie A so far, Pjanic has made a superb 7 assists, while scoring 2 goals himself, with a contribution to a goal every 74.11 minutes.

In addition to his playmaking skills that were obvious at former club AS Roma, Pjanic has taken his game to the next level, becoming far more efficient defensively (as was evidenced at the Nou Camp against Barcelona last season). His skill with free kicks remains among the best in the world and Pjanic continues to improve in his playmaking, with his vision setting up the likes of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain for plenty of goals.

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#8 Paulinho - Barcelona

Athletic Club v Barcelona - La Liga
Athletic Club v Barcelona - La Liga

I'll get plenty of hate for this, but the truth is that at the moment Paulinho is probably Barcelona's best midfielder, you know, apart from the times that Leo Messi decides to drop into midfield and show everyone how it's done. Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Denis Suarez simply have been quite middling in their performances, with Paulinho perhaps now Barca's most crucial midfielder.

It's a far cry from before the Brazilian had even kicked a ball for the Blaugrana, as his signing from Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande received plenty of criticism, especially for the €40 million fee.

4 months into the season and Paulinho has firmly shoved the words of critics back into their throats, with his high-energy style a breath of fresh air, in addition to his combination play with Lionel Messi catching the eye. Crucial winners against Getafe and Bilbao have also endeared him to the Nou Camp faithful.

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#7 Isco - Real Madrid

Real Madrid v Las Palmas - La Liga
Real Madrid v Las Palmas - La Liga

Isco's presence on this list in earned, but it has come at a bit of a cost. The Spaniard has been integral to Zinedine Zidane's plans this season, playing 1219 minutes already so far. However, the streak of selfishness in his style of play has disrupted Madrid's metronomic team-based passing, with the consequence that Los Blancos have dropped plenty of points and have suffered morale-sapping losses.

However, as an individual player himself, Isco is one of the best in the world, with his creative abilities even outshining Luka Modric this season. In 11 appearances in the league, Isco has been involved in 7 goals (4 goals and 3 assists) with a contribution every 107 minutes.

If Zidane is able to work out a system that accommodates Isco fully, he may have the answer to Real Madrid's troubles. The Spanish midfielder is truly a midfield maestro one can build a team around.

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#6 N'Golo Kante - Chelsea

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

Of the 18 games that Chelsea have played so far this season in all competitions, N'Golo Kante has missed 6 of those with a thigh injury. Sadly for Antonio Conte, it has resulted in a blip in form (losses to Roma, Crystal Palace and nervy wins over Watford and Everton) that threatens his job as manager of Chelsea. It is simply a reflection of how important the French midfield destroyer is to his club.

Nemanja Matic's sale to Manchester United might not have been questioned all that much had Kante remained fit all season - the midfielder brings out the best of whoever is alongside him - I mean, he made Danny Drinkwater look good. Tiemouye Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas thrive with Kante's incessant running, tackling and intercepting alongside them.

It's no wonder then, that when the best defensive midfielder returned to Chelsea's lineup against Manchester United, the Blues looked markedly improved and won the game 1-0, which was Chelsea's first clean sheet in ages.

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#5 David Silva - Manchester City

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League
Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League

If Samson lost all of his strength after having his head shaved, the reverse is true for David Silva. The midfielder had a bit of a mediocre year last season but has looked completely revitalized after coming back sans hair and with Pep Guardiola having perfected his playing style.

In 15 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions this season, the Spanish maestro has scored 1 goal and provided a stunning 9 assists, with a contribution every 120 minutes.

What has been the best aspect of David Silva this season has been the partnership he has struck up with Kevin de Bruyne. Faced with the twin threat, opposition defences have been left reeling at the silky style of play Manchester City, and David Silva, in particular, have exhibited under Pep Guardiola.

It's a bit surprising to think that Silva is nearing the end of his contract, with Liverpool circling. Given his form this season, City ought to surely tie him down for longer as he shows no signs of slowing down as he ages.

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#4 Toni Kroos - Real Madrid

Real Madrid v Fiorentina
Real Madrid v Fiorentina

The only reason that Toni Kroos is down in 4th position is Real Madrid's disappointing start to the season. The German has been heavily involved in Los Blancos' season so far, and has not been at his very best as Zinedine Zidane has been rebalancing his midfield.

With only 1 goal and 1 assist, Kroos can certainly improve on his numbers at the top end of the pitch, but he is best when deep, able to wreak havoc with his metronomic passing. Despite all of Madrid's troubles this season, Kroos has managed to still retain his eye-watering passing accuracy, averaging a stunning 91.8% pass accuracy in 15 appearances so far.

Kroos has it in him to reclaim top spot in this list, and given that there is still some way to go in the season, it would take a brave man to bet against the German.

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#3 Christian Eriksen - Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League

Perhaps the greatest irony of Tottenham Hotspur's 3-1 dismantling of Real Madrid at Wembley was that Christian Eriksen looked every inch a Real Madrid player. The Dane has consistently performed in the Premier League, but given Spurs' previous issues in the UEFA Champions League, never truly had the opportunity to shine on the big stage.

The £11 million Tottenham paid Ajax for Eriksen's services seems to be one of the best bargains of the last decade. The manner in which Eriksen knits play together is fabulous - if he's not present at the heart for the Lilywhites, one can say with certainty that Dele Alli and Harry Kane would not be enjoying such stellar seasons.

4 goals and 4 assists in 15 games this season is not something to frown at, and if Eriksen continues in this vein, Spurs may have a hard time keeping the Dane at the club. Eriksen has also mustered eight goals for Denmark in the World Cup qualifiers, so it's safe it say he has replicated his good club form during in international games.

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#2 Thiago Alcantara - Bayern Munich

Real Madrid CF v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg
Real Madrid CF v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg

Bayern Munich have had a topsy-turvy season, with a poor start resulting in Carlo Ancelotti's sacking, while Jupp Heynckes has returned to take the Bavarians back to the top of the Bundesliga table, with a convincing 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker underlining their superiority.

What has been a constant throughout all of the pits and troughs of Bayern's season has been Thiago Alcantara. One of those rare midfielders that has it all, Thiago has continued his stellar form over the last two years into this one as well. He continues to average 3.1 tackles and 1.8 interceptions every game, and marries that with contributions in attack as well - 1.7 key passes per game, and a barely believable 91.2% accuracy.

With Andres Iniesta on the wane, Spain are on the lookout for a new midfield maestro, and Thiago Alcantara is the perfect player to replace, and maybe even surpass him.

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#1 Kevin de Bruyne - Manchester City

Manchester City v Stoke City - Premier League
Manchester City v Stoke City - Premier League

There were slight murmurs of unrest among City fans when Kevin de Bruyne arrived from VfL Wolfsburg for €74 million, but the Belgian has repaid that fee and then some. Pep Guardiola's arrival, however, has catapulted de Bruyne from great midfielder to one of (and probably) the best in the world.

The City midfielder has racked up 9 assists and 3 goals already this season and looks dead set to win the Premier League Player of the Year award. He also tends to thrive in big games, chipping in with some crucial goals and assists.

The Belgian is the best midfielder in the world at the moment, and if he continues in the same vein, then Manchester City can expect to lift the Premier League and maybe, even the UEFA Champions League at the end of the season.

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Edited by Amit Mishra