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Midfield is where the game of football is won. In a league as physical and technical as the Premier League, it is essential to have a variety of skills in your first-choice midfield.
Managers prefer to balance their midfield with specific roles. The pandemic has seen teams bulk up their squads, with the quality in the Premier League right now unmatched by any other domestic top flight.
On that note, we look at the 5 best midfield partnerships in the Premier League (2021).
#5 Fabinho - Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Fabinho and Jordan Henderson may not be the most glamorous players around, but they certainly get the job done for Liverpool.
Henderson's rise at Liverpool has been covered well. The midfielder joined the club from Sunderland in 2011 for £16.2 million. After a disappointing first season he came close to leaving the club. However, he persevered and is now the captain of Liverpool.
Fabinho, on the other hand, joined Liverpool from AS Monaco in 2018 for £40.5 million. The Brazil international is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, and was often utilised at centre-back last season alongside Henderson.
The duo have played an important role in Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League success under Jurgen Klopp. Last season, both Fabinho and Henderson made 51 Premier League appearances combined.
#4 Declan Rice - Tomas Soucek (West Ham United)
West Ham United are a fun side to watch these days under David Moyes. Much of their success is down to the performances of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.
Rice has emerged as the ideal replacement for club legend Mark Noble. The England international is unlikely to replicate Noble's longevity at the club, but the Hammers should be able to get a good fee for him. Rice's performances in defensive midfield have turned the heads of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Soucek, on the other hand, will go down as one of West Ham United's best transfers in recent history. The 26-year old joined the club on an initial loan deal from Slavia Prague in January 2020. Since then, he has become a mainstay in the West Ham United midfield.
The Czech Republic international is a box-to-box midfielder who has been compared to Marouane Fellaini. Soucek is a consistent goalscorer as well, a quality not found in many midfielders. Rice and Soucek helped the Hammers finish 6th last season.
Also Read: Manchester United's possible starting XI for Premier League encounter against Newcastle United
#3 Kevin De Bruyne - Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is clearly a huge fan of rotation, so it is not always easy to pick a Manchester City first XI.
However, both Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan have been regular features in Manchester City's midfield for some time now. De Bruyne is regarded as one of the best players in world football. A highly creative player, the Belgium international has won the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice (including last season) and the Premier League Player of the Season once.
Gundogan, on the other hand, grabbed the attention last season with his goalscoring prowess. Better known for his elegance on the ball, the Germany international was the top goalscorer in the league for his club last time around.
De Bruyne and Gundogan have been at the club for some years now. With both midfielders now in their 30s, Manchester City would do well to reduce the burden on their shoulders.
#2 Bruno Fernandes - Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Manchester United may lack quality defensive midfielders, but in Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba they have two excellent forward-thinking players.
Fernandes is comfortably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The Portugal international has completely transformed the club since joining in January 2020. Last season, he made 37 league appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 11 assists. He has now won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year twice.
Pogba, on the other hand, is enjoying his best spell as a Manchester United player. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has utilised him on the left wing, with the freedom to drift inside and the France international has excelled in this role.
Fernandes and Pogba have started the season incredibly well. Against Leeds United, Pogba provided four assists and Fernandes registered a hat-trick.
#1 N'Golo Kante - Jorginho (Chelsea)
Jorginho and N'Golo Kante have both received shouts to win this year's Ballon d'Or.
The duo enjoyed an excellent season last time around. Kante and Jorginho started in midfield for Chelsea as they beat Manchester City in the Champions League final. Later, Jorginho would go on to win Euro 2020 with Italy.
Kante was at his dynamic best during the second half of last season. His performances, especially in the Champions League, earned him global praise. The France international has had his issues with injuries, but manager Thomas Tuchel relies heavily on him.
Jorginho, on the other hand, is renowned for his calmness and composure on the ball. A good passer, the 29-year old is often used deep in midfield from where he dictates play. His performances for Chelsea and Italy resulted in him winning the 2021 UEFA Men's Player of the Year.
Also Read: PSG's possible starting XI for Ligue 1 encounter against Clermont Foot
