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The Serie A has always been known for its revolutionary tactical acumen and midfield flamboyance. While the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Rui Costa, Roberto Donadoni, and Michel Platini carved a niche for themselves with intricate magic, midfield generals like Marco Tardelli, Daniele de Rossi, and Gennaro Gattuso wrote themselves into the history books with their legendary tackles.
Juventus may have dominated the Serie A in recent years but their monopoly has not deterred teams like AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio, and Atalanta from unearthing midfield gems that could potentially define Italian football for the next decade.
The Serie A is set for an exciting finish this year as AC Milan and Inter Milan seem intent on shattering Juventus' spectacular streak in the league over the past decade. Napoli, Lazio, Sassuolo, Atalanta and AS Roma have also shown glimpses of their extraordinary potential this year and have revived the league with their competitive displays.
The year 2020 has been difficult for the general populace in more ways than one but for the Serie A, the turn of the decade may well be a time to take stock and bring a new generation of midfield prodigies. Without further ado, let's take a look at the best midfielders in the Serie A this year.
#10 Gaetano Castrovilli (Fiorentina)
Fiorentina have been one of the most underwhelming teams of the year but that has not stopped some of the club's gems from making an indelible mark on Italian football over the past few months. Federico Chiesa may have moved on to Juventus but Gaetano Castrovilli's impressive performances at the heart of the midfield have offered La Viola with a source of solace.
The 23-year-old midfielder is one of the first names on the teamsheet and his performances in the Serie A have already drawn comparisons with the legendary Rui Costa. Castrovilli has crafted a reputation as a mesmerising dribbler and often serves as the sole link between Fiorentina's midfield and attack.
He already has the makings of a complete midfielder and is one of the most heavily-fouled players in the Serie A. Fiorentina will look to turn a page in 2021 and their young midfield prodigy will have to play an instrumental role in his club's fortunes.
#9 Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan)
AC Milan have finally enjoyed an excellent year after a decade of failure in the Serie A. Stefano Pioli is well on his way to winning the Scudetto at the club and has revived the Rossoneri's fortunes by unlocking the potential of arguably his most creative player.
Hakan Calhanoglu joined AC Milan in 2017 and was visibly below his best in his first two years at the club. The first few months of 2020, however, witnessed a discernible spark from the Turkish midfielder before the fireworks began after Serie A's restart earlier this year.
Calhanoglu is AC Milan's set-piece specialist at the moment and his deadly free-kicks and accurate crosses have given the Rossoneri a cutting edge in the final third. The midfielder has plenty of experience in the Serie A and has will be integral to AC Milan's title bid this season.
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#8 Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo)
Manuel Locatelli's emergence at AC Milan in 2017 coincided with the legendary Andrea Pirlo's retirement. Locatelli was widely considered the future of the AC Milan midfield but an unfortunate series of events in the following year resulted in his departure to fellow Serie A club Sassuolo.
The prodigious midfielder has done well to take the change of scenery into this stride and has developed into of Italy's most promising midfielders. Locatelli has thrived in Roberto De Zerbi's double pivot at Sassuolo and has excelled alongside veteran midfielder Francesco Magnanelli.
Sassuolo are currently in fourth place in the Serie A standings and will look for a top-four finish this season. The Neroverdi have a wonderful blend of youth and experience in their squad and could potentially pave the way for Locatelli's introduction to the UEFA Champions League.
#7 Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan)
Ismael Bennacer joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old midfielder but was unable to impress the Gunners. His stature at AC Milan now, however, will certainly leave the North London giants pondering over what might have been.
Bennacer has been at the heart of Stefano Pioli's revolution at AC Milan and has been one of the most consistent performers in the Serie A. The Algerian midfielder's tactical understanding of the game belies his age and his importance to AC Milan's resurgence in the Serie A is evident in his displays on the pitch.
Bennacer is primarily a defensive midfielder and can also double down as a deep-lying playmaker. The youngster's ability to facilitate his team's transition from defence to attack on the pitch makes him one of AC Milan's most valuable players.
#6 Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
Franck Kessie is one of the most complete midfielders in the Serie A at the moment. The Ivorian midfielder has started 12 games for AC Milan in the league this season and has been crucial to the Rossoneri's unbeaten streak under Stefano Pioli.
AC Milan have incredibly never lost a game in the Serie A when Kessie has found the back of the net. The Rossoneri have launched an audacious title bid this season and Kessie is likely to be its primary driving force.
With four goals, two assists, and a series of match-winning performances this season, Kessie has finally achieved the heights that was expected of him after his move to AC Milan. With Stefano Pioli at the helm, the Ivorian star may well win his first Serie A title this season.
#5 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
In Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Lazio have one of the most well-rounded players in Europe. The Serbian midfielder combines his imposing physicality with an impeccable passing range and has become a talisman for his side this year.
The midfielder has started 11 games in the Serie A this season and has recorded three goals and four assists. Lazio were Serie A title contenders for a discernible period of time last season, and Milinkovic-Savic's performances have made the Biancocelesti a prominent force on the European front.
The midfielder has had his fair share of injury concerns this season but his performances for the club have made him one of the first names on the teamsheet alongside Ciro Immobile. Milinkovic-Savic has a bright future at Lazio and is one of the Serie A's most talented prospects.
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#4 Fabian Ruiz (Napoli)
Fabian Ruiz is one of the most understated midfielders in European football at the moment. The former Real Betis star is well on his way to becoming a modern-day Napoli legend and is arguably the most creative playmaker in the Serie A.
Napoli have had their fair share of ups and downs this season but are visibly a force to reckon with when Ruiz starts his side's games. The midfielder has managed to use his Spanish flair to adapt to the Serie A and is one of the most unique midfielders in the league.
Napoli have an array of lethal forward players and Ruiz's role as his side's ball carrier is critical to Gennaro Gattuso's style of play. Ruiz has also earmarked his place in the Spanish national team and will go on to define an era of excellent football at Napoli.
#3 Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
Italian football may well be at the cusp of a new golden generation and Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is set to be his country's shining light. The Nerazzurri prodigy has become his team's driving force under Antonio Conte and is also an important cog in the Italian national team.
The 23-year-old midfielder has an exceptional pass-completion rate and his work-rate has made him irreplaceable in Inter Milan's 3-5-2 set-up. Barella also has an excellent eye for forward passes and has bagged four assists in the Serie A so far this season.
Inter Milan are currently only a point behind arch-rivals AC Milan in the Serie A standings and will want to put up a fight in the coming months. Barella is a regular inclusion in Conte's starting line-up and is arguably his side's most valuable player.
#2 Luis Alberto (Lazio)
Lazio have become an impressive force under Simone Inzaghi and have Ciro Immobile to thank for much of their success. While the prolific striker has done much of the statistical heavy lifting for his side, Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto has been an excellent facilitator for Inzaghi and is integral to Lazio's success.
Alberto has not had the easiest of careers and was labelled a flop during his time in the Premier League and La Liga. The former Liverpool midfielder has revived his career in the Serie A and is now one of its best midfield proponents.
The Lazio playmaker has scored some crucial goals for Inzaghi's side and was one of the Serie A's best players last season. Alberto is making the most of his peak at Lazio and has become a talisman for the team.
#1 Alejandro Gomez (Atalanta)
Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez has been a phenomenon in the Serie A this year. The Argentine midfielder is arguably the most effective creator in Italy at the moment and his performances catapulted Atalanta into prominence in both the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this year.
Gian Piero Gasperini's revolutionary tactics took the Serie A by storm this year and with Alejandro Gomez by his side, the Italian manager scythed through some of the biggest teams in the country.
Gomez is set to leave Atalanta in the January transfer window next year and has missed a few Serie A matches this month. The Argentine's achievements at Atalanta over the past two years, however, are certain to christen him as a bonafide club legend.
Also Read: 10 best players in Serie A this year (2020)
