Top 10 Midfielders in the World at the Moment

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.

In the previous season, we have seen a number of top midfielders across Europe go about their work methodically and in an extremely efficient manner. Every top team has a player in the centre of the field capable of dictating play.

We have ranked this list mainly based on their performances last season and also keeping in mind their potential to perform at the very top level once again this season. Without much ado, let us take a look at the 10 best midfielders in world football at the moment.

#10 Philippe Coutinho

When clubs like Barcelona and PSG are ready to break the bank for a player, you know that he is pretty special. Liverpool’s magician Philippe Coutinho has mesmerised the Premier League with his stunning performances in the last few seasons. Capable of the spectacular and a perfect fit under Jurgen Klopp, the little Brazilian has steadily enhanced his reputation as Liverpool’s standout performer.

Known for his agility and dribbling skills, Coutinho has largely improved on his passing and vision in the last few years and is now a regular provider of assists for his team-mates. A typical Brazilain number 10, Coutinho is most comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder though he has also played on the left-flank on a number of occasions.

Still only 25, Coutinho recently signed a long-term contract with the Reds and the Merseyside giants will be confident that the best from Coutinho is yet to come. The video below gives us a glimpse as to why Coutinho is rated so highly at the moment.

#9 Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba? That £89 million flop? Fans all around the world might be perplexed by Pogba’s inclusion in this list, but if you keep aside the world record transfer fee and all the hype that goes along with it, you will observe that the Frenchman has actually had an extremely decent season.

Playing in a slightly withdrawn and unfamiliar role under Jose Mourinho, Pogba after struggling initially hit top form and played a crucial role in many of United’s good performances this season. An integral part of United’s Europa League winning campaign, Pogba’s all action displays were extremely valuable to Mourinho.

Also, the Frenchman proved that he was not just about the dab by opening the scoring in the final against Ajax and we might just see the full potential of Pogba being unleashed next season. Still only 24, the talented Frenchman is poised to have another successful season with United in 2017/18.

#8 Kevin De Bruyne

One of the most complete midfielders in world football, Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly the jewel in the Manchester City crown. Known for his immaculate technique, wide range of passing skills and ability to score spectacular long-range goals, De Bruyne has been key to City’ s consistent performances in both the Premier League and Champions League.

De Bruyne’s importance to Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City team can be seen by these quotes from Guardiola himself. Speaking in an earlier interview, the legendary Spanish manager said:

"I think he is a special, outstanding player. He makes everything. Without the ball he is the first fighter, and with the ball he is clear – he sees absolutely everything."

Having started the season in blistering fashion, De Bruyne tailed off slightly in the second half which is why a person so talented as himself is in the number 8 position. At 26, the Belgian playmaker is expected to be at his peak and we might just see the former Chelsea star really assert himself as one of the best midfielders of this generation in the 2017/18 season.

#7 Luka Modric

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 defence, 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.

A crucial part of Real Madrid’s stunning Champions League triumph, 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.

The supremely talented Modric is at number 7 because he struggled to hit the heights he is capable of in the initial stages, though he showed his class with an absolute midfield masterclass in the Champions League final against Juventus. Also, Modric is 31 and he might find it difficult to perform at the same incredible level next season.

#6 Dele Alli

Two-time PFA young player of the season and part of the PFA team of the year, Dele Alli has had a stunning 2016/17 season for Tottenham Hotspur. Having scored an incredible 18 goals in the Premier League, Alli along with Kane and Eriksen have made Tottenham genuine title contenders.

Considered to be one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment, many pundits think Alli has overtaken Pogba as the midfielder to watch out for in the Premier League. Dele Alli has been so inspirational this season that Pochettino thinks that the Englishman could a world class superstar like Neymar in the future.

Speaking to beIN Sports, Pochettino said:

“I think Dele Alli has a personality completely different maybe to Neymar. I think he’s a special player too. I don’t know if he’s in this level yet but the potential will be like him or better.”

He added: “I think Dele is an unbelievable player, great player, still very young and his potential is massive and we’ll see what happens. He has the potential to improve a lot.”

Dele Alli has said that his idol is Steven Gerrard and if the prodigiously talented 21-year-old keeps performing in the same fashion, he might just become as great a player (or even greater) as his childhood idol.

#5 Miralem Pjanic

Bought by Juventus as a replacement for Paul Pogba, 27-year-old Miralem Pjanic has quickly settled into his role as the chief playmaker in this very impressive Juventus side. Gifted with amazing technical ability, playmaking skills and tactical versatility, Pjanic is also exceptional at taking free-kicks.

It is not often that a visiting team’s midfielder is the best midfielder on the pitch at Camp Nou. But, during Juventus’ momentous Champions League victory against Barcelona, Pjanic was arguably the best player on the pitch in the second leg.

Having settled in well at Turin, Pjanic is proving to be an upgrade on Pogba and that too at €73 million profit. With 8 assists, 8 goals and an incredible pass accuracy of 89%, Pjanic is definitely one of the best playmakers in world football at the moment.

The Bosnian has been linked with a move to Arsenal and more surprisingly Barcelona in the recent few weeks though Juventus will be desperate to hold on to their star midfielder for the 2017/18 season.

#4 N’golo Kante

Crowned the PFA Player of the Year recently, N’golo Kante has been undoubtedly the best and most effective midfielder in the Premier League this season. Having won back to back league titles with two different clubs (Leicester City and Chelsea), the Frenchman has been a true revelation and he is finally getting the credit he deserves.

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 Chelsea this season. Kante’s positional sense and awareness of the game is second to none and he is renowned for making vital interceptions and winning the ball back for his team.

Having greatly improved his attacking style of play as well under Antonio Conte, Kante along with Hazard was the standout player in Chelsea’s incredible Premier League winning squad. The Frenchman is now truly recognised as a global superstar across the world.

#3 Marco Verratti

Italy’s best midfielder at the moment, Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti has been consistently excellent once again in the 2016/17 season. Capable of breaking up play and setting up attacks with equal ease, Verratti has recently been linked with a big money to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Often compared to Andrea Pirlo, Verratti is known for his brilliant ball retention skills and his ability to pick out the right pass under pressure. Always ensuring that the ball keeps moving at the centre of the park, the Italian is probably PSG’s biggest and most important star.

The Italian’s agent has recently spoken about a possible move in the summer transfer window and we might even see the world record transfer fee broken for him as the Spanish giants battle it out to sign the talented midfielder.

Often underappreciated for his contributions, Verratti (who is still only 24) is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment.

#2 Thiago Alcantara

Barcelona academy graduate Thiago Alcantara has really hit his straps this season. The Spaniard has been dictating play for Bayern Munich and he has often been the link between attack and defence for the Bundesliga champions.

The 26-year-old credited Ancelotti with getting the best out of him. Speaking in an interview with El Pais, Thiago said:

"Ancelotti has given me the freedom. More than strategy or tactics, it has been the freedom and confidence that a coach can give you. I need that because I like to analyse the game, to have tactical rigour, to read a game.”

In the Bundesliga this season, Thiago has shown just how complete his game his. Having contributed to the offensive side of the pitch with 6 goals and 5 assists so far, he has also made an incredible league-high 129 interceptions. With a 90% pass completion and 55 successful tackles, Thiago has been the most complete midfielder in world football this season.

An amalgamation of Xavi and Iniesta, Barcelona will be regretting the fact that they allowed the talented midfielder to join Bayern Munich in 2013.

#1 Toni Kroos

Probably Real Madrid’ s most consistent player this season, Toni Kroos has arguably taken his game to new heights ever since he made the switch to Madrid from Bayern Munich. Calm, composed and always assured on the ball, Kroos is the conductor in the midfield who pulls the strings for the Spanish giants.

One of the best players in La Liga this season, the German has an incredible 12 assists and a scarcely believable passing accuracy of 92%. Capable of picking out passes and spraying the ball across the field, the midfield maestro has been integral to Madrid’s impressive performances in the League and the Champions League.

Easily the best midfielder in La Liga (and the world) at the moment, Kroos has completely outshone some illustrious names like Luka Modric, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic with his performances this season. Real Madrid will be hoping that the German pass master continues to perform at this very high level in the 2017/18 season.

Honourable mentions:

Radja Nainggolan, Casemiro, Andres Iniesta, Naby Keita, Saul Niguez, Emil Forsberg and Mesut Ozil.

Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments section.