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Football is a simple game. You get the ball, you carry it forward, and you hit the back of the net. The defenders and forwards take care of the end-points. Midfielders make sure the two points are uninterruptedly connected.
All the top clubs in the world are powered by strong midfielders. These artists and demolition experts are arguably the most versatile players on a football pitch. They know how to defend, to create, and they can even pop up with goals when needed.
Today’s list is about the footballing minds who are ruling the top leagues in the world. It is about the top five midfielders who are a class above the rest. Without further ado, let us check out the five most in-form midfielders in the world.
Special mention: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan) and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
#5 Idrissa Gueye - Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain are one of the most well-stacked teams on the planet. Thanks to their purchases this season, they have the most high-profile attack, an explosive midfield, and a world-class defense. Still, even with all that flash, it is their 31-year-old defensive midfielder who has proven to be the most important piece of the puzzle.
Idrissa Gueye has been the cornerstone of PSG this season, helping them maintain a 100 percent winning record in Ligue 1. He has successfully soaked up pressure, created chances and even scored a couple of goals in the league.
For his contribution in both attack and defense, Gueye was named Man of the Match against Brest in August.
#4 Frenkie de Jong - Barcelona
Historically, Barcelona have always had capable midfielders at their disposal. Former Ajax man Frenkie de Jong has proudly kept the tradition alive.
Following Lionel Messi’s departure, Barcelona seem to have lost their way and are struggling to put respectable results on the board. De Jong has been one of the very few good bits about Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona. The central midfielder is an excellent passer of the ball, can set the tempo of a match, and is quite capable of creating match-winning chances.
De Jong has averaged two key passes and three dribbles per game this season in La Liga, which showcases his adventurous and creative side. His exploits have allowed him to register two assists so far, and Barcelona fans will certainly hope for more in the coming weeks.
#3 Joshua Kimmich - Bayern Munich
From a high-flying right back to one of the best midfielders in the league, Joshua Kimmich has come a long way over the last three seasons. The 26-year-old has also grown into an exemplary leader - a figure every Bayern player listens to.
The Bayern Munich man currently operates as a defensive midfielder, but he is also capable of playing a bit further up the pitch. Irrespective of the role he gets or where he is deployed, Kimmich always makes sure to add his unique, often game-changing twist to the mix.
Bayern Munich are the most dominant team in the division, both in attack and defense. It is their all-round gameplay that makes them world-class, and Kimmich personifies that spirit. Despite being a defensive midfielder, the German contributes heavily in attack. He has already registered two goals and three assists in five Bundesliga games, and he is only getting started.
#2 Paul Pogba - Manchester United
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been lauded as one of the biggest stars in the Premier League. In the 2021-22 campaign, he is doing everything in his power to justify his sky-high status. Following a surprisingly short Euro 2020 campaign, the Frenchman returned to his club hungrier than ever, ready to prove a point. So far, he has been successful at driving the point home.
The central midfielder has been excellent at setting the tempo for Manchester United. He has passed gracefully, made offensive runs without throwing caution to the wind, and provided seven assists in the league. To put his numbers into perspective, Premier League’s second-highest assist provider this season, Michail Antonio, only has three assists to his name.
Defensively, too, Pogba has been quite dependable, averaging over one tackle and 0.8 interceptions per game.
#1 Lorenzo Pellegrini - Roma
Under Jose Mourinho, AS Roma have enjoyed a decent start to their Serie A campaign. They have picked up nine points from their first four Serie A games and are currently fifth in the table. Club captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has been the star of the show so far, impressing in every match he has featured in this season.
Mourinho has deployed the Italian as an attacking midfielder and has been handsomely rewarded for it. In Serie A, Pellegrini has scored three goals and provided an assist in four games, emerging as the team’s most valuable player. He was also the man of the match in Roma’s UEFA Conference League opener against CSKA Sofia. He scored an impressive brace to lead his side to a comfortable 5-1 win.
