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If you ask any manager in the world, he would say that the most important role on the pitch is that of a midfielder. The player who plays right in the middle has to defend when needed and also provide the balls for the attackers to score.
It is very important for all the teams to have the right combination of players playing together in this role. A slight misbalance would see them either conceding too many goals or not be producing much.
Based on values provided by transfermarkt.com, here are the most valuable midfielders in the world right now:
#10 - Marco Verratti (£40.5 million)
Ther #10 on the list today is the heart of Paris Saint-Germain's team – Marco Verratti. The Italian has been touted as one of the best in the world at intercepting the play and producing some slick through balls.
The 24-year-old has been compared to Andrea Pirlo a lot as he always ensures that he picks out the right pass, even when he is surrounded by 2 or 3 players. He was signed by PSG in 2012 after an impressive season at Pescara for a reported fee of €12 million.
Barcelona were keen on signing him as a long term replacement for Andreas Iniesta and even offered to pay double his market value – £90 million. However, PSG were reluctant to sell him as they knew that he was the engine of the team. They were building a team for the future at the club and wanted Verratti to be a vital part of it.
#9 - Dele Alli (£40.5 million)
Dele Alli has been on top of his game for the last 2 seasons at Tottenham. The English midfielder has been an important part of the Spurs team that finished 3rd and 2nd in the Premier League for the last 2 seasons.
Signed from MK Dons for a mere £5 million in 2014, Alli is one of the hottest properties in world football right now. Aged just 21, he has shown the potential to become the best midfielder ever produced by England.
Alli is easily the best midfielder at Tottenham right now and a move to a 'bigger' club is not far away. If things go right, he might become the first English footballer to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid this decade.
#8 - Mesut Özil (£45 million)
Mesut Ozil's future and his appearance on this list in the future is in big doubt. While he may sign the new contract and stay at Arsenal, he might have to do a lot more than what is doing right now to retain his name on the list.
The 28-year-old was valued in the Top 5 midfielders category before he joined Arsenal but has been on the decline ever since. Though he's been breaking the assist records, he is yet to help the Gunn ers in lifting the Premier League trophy.
A lot of people might complain about Mesut Ozil going 'missing' in important matches, but on his day, Ozil is second to none in terms of vision. The German has been Arsenal's 2nd best signing after Alexis Sanchez but the duo have only managed to win the FA Cup for the Gunners.
#7 - James Rodriguez (£45 million)
Surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, James Rodriguez has been shipped on loan to Bayern Munich for the season. The Colombian who was signed for €75 million in 2014 has not managed to live up to the expectations at Bernabeu.
The 26-year-old is now valued at £47.5 million but will be joining Bayern Munich for just €35 million at the end of the season – should they exercise the option of signing him. Carlo Ancelotti, who signed him at Madrid, is a big fan of him and he is set on a mission to rejuvenate James' career.
The Colombian is a central attacking midfielder but was often played out of position at Madrid. Under Zidane, Los Blancos have not really used a CAM in the formation and thus the chances of James playing in his favorite position were very less.
#6 - N'Golo Kante (£45 million)
N'Golo Kante is undoubtedly the best midfielder in the Premier League right now. The PFA Player of the year has won back-to-back League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea.
The defensive genius was the heart of both the teams. He is a steam engine that never stops running. Known for his interceptions and running with the ball, the Frenchman is also very good at picking out passes even in difficult situations.
He has been on top of his game for France too and was an important part of the team that finished runners-up at EURO 2016. He is now focused on retaining the Premier League with Chelsea and is now set to play in the Champions League for the first time in his career.
#5 - Sergio Busquets (£54 million)
The most surprising name on the list! Sergio Busquets is nowhere close to what he was a couple of years back but is still valued highly in the transfer market.
The 29-year-old Spaniard is still valued at £54 million but a move away from Camp Nou still looks impossible. Pep Guardiola tried to lure him to Manchester City last summer but the midfielder rebuffed the interest.
On his day, Busquets can get the ball off anyone running past him. But in recent times, he has been dismissed by the opponents like he's just a dummy they use in training.
#4 - Koke (£54 million)
Koke is easily the most underrated player on this list. A midfield package who is often away from th limelight because of the antics that are highlighted of Atletico Madrid.
The 25-year-old Spaniard is a brilliant passer of the ball and is very good at taking set-pieces too. He can play on either side of the midfield and cross the ball into the box with perfection.
Apart from those abilities, he also contributes a lot to the defense and is a very good tackler. He has a similar style of play as Marco Verratti according to some pundits and it won't be a surprise if Barcelona decide to replace Andreas Iniesta with Koke next summer.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne (£58.5 million)
The Belgian maestro is undoubtedly the most creative midfielder in the Premier League right now. He can find Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus even in his sleep if he wants to!
Apart from that, he can score some golazos, with ease. The 26-year-old is valued at £58.5 million by transfermarkt – almost the same amount Manchester City paid to sign him from Wolfsburg.
He's just reaching his peak and one can be assured that the best is yet to come from this Belgian. One thing is for sure, he will remain as Chelsea's and Jose Mourinho's biggest mistake!
#2 - Toni Kroos (£63 million)
From being surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich to becoming the most vital player in the midfield for Real Madrid – Toni Kroos has come a long way. He is easily their most consistent player and he is always there when they need him.
The German is always calm when he has the ball at his feet and finished the last season with an incredible pass success percentage of 92%. He finds Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo even if he's surrounded by 3-4 players.
Along with Luka Modric and Casemiro, he has revolutionized Real Madrid's midfield. The trio is the main reason behind the club winning back-to-back Champions League titles.
#1 - Paul Pogba (£67.5 million)
The world's most expensive midfielder is also the most valuable one in the world right now. Signed from Juventus for a then world record fee of £89 million last summer, he's now the 3rd most expensive player in the world and will become 4th when Mbappe's transfer becomes permanent.
The Frenchman did not enjoy a great season last year but ended with 2 trophies and the community shield in his trophy cabinet. This season, with Nemanja Matic playing behind him, he's got the freedom to play better and that was clearly the case in the matches so far this season.
Pogba, on his day, can score stunning goals and also produce some stunning passes that only a few can in the world of football. Should he remain consistent in his games, he will undoubtedly be the best midfielder in the world soon.
