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#2 Casemiro
Having only just turned 27, Casemiro has plenty of time left as one of the world’s best defensive midfielders. He has been a stalwart for Real since 2015, making at least 35 appearances in every season since.
Renowned for his excellent passing and defensive ability, he has also been a fixture in a very successful Brazilian national side. Especially as Modric and Kroos continue to age out of their primes, Casemiro could help drive Madrid’s midfield forward for years to come.
Rival managers know just how much value he provides, with Diego Simeone suggesting he might be Real Madrid’s best player in 2016. Given how increasingly important the holding midfielder role is becoming, Casemiro should play a huge role for Los Blancos going forward. Whilst some parts of the Real roster may be in flux, holding midfield definitely isn’t one of them.
