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Midfielders set the tone of the game on the pitch. They are crucial for implementing the manager's style of play and controlling the flow of the game.
These players link the attack and defence, often creating chances for attackers with defence-splitting through balls and passes and breaking up the opponents' attacks as and when required. The Premier League this season has already seen some majestic performances from midfielders who have completely dominated the game.
All the best teams in this league have that one magical midfield player capable of making a difference and winning them the game almost single-handedly. Let us now take a look at the 5 best midfielders in the Premier League at the moment.
#5 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Manchester United star Paul Pogba's future has been subject to intense speculation. The Frenchman has been heavily linked to Real Madrid in the past few weeks, however, the fact remains that Pogba is easily the most gifted and talented midfielder in the current United squad.
Having made 4 appearances in the Premier League so far, the midfielder has put in some encouraging displays, notching up two assists in the Red Devils' convincing 4-0 victory against Chelsea. Playing in a slightly deeper role, Pogba's powerful runs through the midfield often give the impetus for Manchester United to spring forward and his physicality in the centre of the park adds another dimension to Solskjaer's side.
To guage the impact of Pogba, one can just see the last two Manchester United performances where the midfield has been insipid and bereft of ideas. With Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay struggling to break down defences and create chances, Solskjaer will be hoping that the Frenchman will be back soon to unlock defences with his excellent dribbling, passing and vision skills.
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#4 James Maddison (Leicester City)
Leicester City are playing some beautiful football at the moment and the man who has been at the heart of it is the supremely talented 22-year-old midfielder, James Maddison. With one goal and 2 assists in the season so far, the young Englishman has been the creative heartbeat for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Blessed with good dribbling ability and the vision to pick out the killer pass, Maddison has been linked with moves to clubs such as Manchester United in the last few weeks. Capable of playing in the centre of the pitch and cutting inside from the left, the talented youngster has kicked on after some good performances for The Foxes last season.
With Leicester City currently 3rd in the Premier League standings, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that the creative midfielder continues his good performances and unlocks opposition defences with his guile and vision.
#3 Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Capable of playing in a host of positions across the midfield line for Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva has been one of the most consistent and reliable performers for Manchester City in the last 15 months.
An unbelievably talented midfielder who works extremely hard for the team, Silva from the periphery quickly established himself as one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's team sheet. In fact, after some stunning performances last season, Pep could not stop praising the Portuguese star. Speaking to Goal.com, he said.
"I don't know what this guy has done this season. Playing in the middle and outside, every single game he played perfectly. Taking decisions, how he fights, reading the movements offensively and defensively, the way he lives the game.
"Every time we miss a chance he makes that reaction [puts head dramatically in hands]. He lives that, he is involved absolutely."
An excellent combination of talent and hard work, Silva will be hoping to kick on and achieve even greater things this season with Manchester City and the Portuguese national team.
#2 Fabinho (Liverpool)
Liverpool's midfield has often been dismissed as being too workmanlike, however, there is no denying the fact that the Reds have found players perfectly suited to the style Jurgen Klopp wants them to play. While the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain have all been rotated according to the opposition, there is one man who has been absolutely undroppable for the current Premier League leaders - Fabinho.
Having arrived from Monaco last season, the Brazilian initially struggled to adjust to the robust pace and physicality of the Premier League. But, since the turn of 2019, Fabinho's performances have almost been faultless. Winning the ball with clean tackles and helping the team transition quickly from defence to attack, Fabinho has already put in some memorable performances in the Premier League this season.
While most of the plaudits are usually reserved for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk, the man who has perhaps been most important for Liverpool this season has been Fabinho.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Was there any doubt as to who would top this list?
The best midfielder in the Premier League if not the world at the moment, Kevin De Bruyne has torn apart Premier League defences with his passing, vision, and dribbling skills this season.
With a frankly astonishing output of 2 goals and 7 assists in 6 Premier League appearances so far, the Belgian midfielder has come back stronger than ever from the niggling injuries he suffered last season.
Capable of picking out a pass, scoring long range screamers and going past defenders with ease, the 28-year-old is quite simply the complete midfielder. Pep Guardiola is blessed with a Manchester City squad full of quality and class, but the best player in that squad and arguably the Premier League at the moment is none other than Kevin De Bruyne.
