5 best deep-lying playmakers in the Premier League this season (2021-22)

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and Chelsea's Jorginho
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and Chelsea's Jorginho

#3 Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Leicester City v Newcastle United - Premier League
Leicester City v Newcastle United - Premier League

Youri Tielemans was heavily linked with an exit this summer. The Belgian international has been discussing the possibility of signing a new contract for a while now. But one thing is for certain and it is that Tielemans is definitely enjoying life in the Premier League.

He presses hard in midfield and once he regains possession, Tielemans always looks to pass through the lines. The 24-year-old does all the 'basic stuff' with ease. He is good at reading the game and winning the ball back. He has an eye for a pass and can pick out his teammates' runs with precision.

He is also always focused on progressing the ball higher up the pitch and works as a great link between Leicester City's attack and defence. Tielemans also loves arriving late in and around the box and that's why he has five goals to his name in 12 Premier League appearances. He also has two assists.

#2 Jorginho (Chelsea)

Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League
Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League

Jorginho has had one heck of a 2021. After winning the Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2020 with Italy in the summer, Jorginho has kicked on in the same vein. The deep-lying playmaker's early season form contributed greatly to Chelsea staying at the top of the Premier League table for a considerable amount of time this season.

Like most elite holding midfielders, Jorginho is excellent at intercepting passes. But he is at his best when he is afforded time on the ball at the heart of midfield. The Italian international is a wonderful passer and loves orchestrating play from deep.

His presence and technical abilities are very important to Chelsea with respect to using their wing-backs. Jorginho is one of the best in Europe when it comes to connecting his forward line and defence. He has scored four goals and provided an assist in 15 Premier League appearances so far this season.

#1 Rodri (Manchester City)

Manchester City v Leeds United - Premier League
Manchester City v Leeds United - Premier League

Manchester City have been at their dominant best this season. Pep Guardiola has a squad that's chock full of technically proficient footballers and Rodri epitomizes it. The Spaniard is a calming presence in midfield for the Cityzens and it's difficult to find players who do the job better than he can.

Rodri is an extremely intelligent and tactically astute footballer. His expertise in midfield enables Manchester City to play with just one holding midfielder. That is also the reason why the Cityzens are so devastating in attack.

Rodri is great at winning the ball back and tackling is one of his strengths. But his greatest attribute is definitely his passing. The 25-year-old loves releasing his forwards into space and does so with extreme precision. He has a pass success rate of 92.4% in the Premier League so far this term.

Rodri is undoubtedly the best in the Premier League when it comes to dictating play from deep. He has turned in several performances that are masterclasses in what a deep-lying midfielder ought to do. He has also scored two goals and provided an assist in the league this season.

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