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Despite the ever-changing nature of football, a team's reliance on an intelligent defensive midfielder has always shone through. The deepest-lying midfielder is generally responsible for screening his defence while also keeping the game ticking in the middle.
Sergio Busquets, for instance, is widely regarded as the most successful defensive midfielder of this era, having anchored the great Spain and Barcelona midfield that went on to win every possible trophy in their sight. Along with Busquets, this generation has been blessed with several other uber-talented defensive midfielders such as the likes of Xabi Alonso, Gennaro Gattuso, and several others.
Here, we take a look at the most valuable defensive midfielders in the world at the moment.
#5 Jorginho | Chelsea | £46.8m
Chelsea's Italian maestro Jorginho kicks off this list in fifth place after a relatively successful season with the Blues. The 28-year-old isn't the quickest or most athletic names on this list, but he makes up for it with his excellent positioning and reading of the game. Jorginho made his name as a regista in Maurizio Sarri's Napoli side.
Last year, Jorginho appeared 31 times in the Premier League for Frank Lampard's Chelsea and was an essential player in the Englishman's debut campaign. He also participated in seven UEFA Champions League games, and racked up a total of 44 appearances for Chelsea scoring seven goals in this period. His passing range, ability to control the tempo of a game and leadership on the pitch make him a valuable asset for Lampard on the pitch.
#4 Fabinho | Liverpool | £50.4m
Liverpool destroyer Fabinho comes in next on this list as arguably the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League. The Brazilian was one of the most impactful signings made by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and brought in a much-needed layer of protection and steel to the Reds' midfield. The 26-year-old is a dominant figure at the base of Liverpool's midfield who is impressive in the air, tidy with his passing and a superb ball winner.
Fabinho endured an injury-laden 2019/20 campaign which saw him start just over half the games available to him. However, he was available for the first half of the season, a period that saw Liverpool obliterate any opposition that stood in their path. Overall, Fabinho still managed 39 appearances across all competitions for Klopp's men and is set to remain a mainstay in the side.
Also read: 10 Most valuable right wingers in world football
#3 Casemiro | Real Madrid | £57.6m
The man who has undisputedly been the most incredible defensive midfielder through the course of the 2019/20 campaign, Casemiro has been indispensable to Real Madrid's midfield. Regarded as one of the most pivotal figures in Zinedine Zidane's UCL three-peat and LaLiga-winning Los Blancos sides, the Brazilian is the perfect foil to the artistry and poise of the likes of Toni Kroos in the middle.
Casemiro is understandably one of the first names on the team sheet and appears to keep getting better with every passing year. The 28-year-old's passing range, eye for a goal, and efficiency in terms of winning the ball back have all been invaluable qualities for Los Blancos' midfield. His importance to Zidane's side is highlighted by the fact that he clocked up a whopping 3,091 minutes in LaLiga Santander over 35 appearances in the league. His tally of 4,081 minutes overall is the highest in Real Madrid's squad.
#2 Rodri | Manchester City | £57.6m
Rodri came to the club as part of Manchester City's 2019/20 summer spree and is undoubtedly set to become a key player at the Etihad Stadium for years to come. The Spaniard, widely likened to his compatriot and idol Sergio Busquets, is a strikingly intelligent personality both on and off the pitch. His ability to play the role of a metronome, calmy keeping the ball moving in the middle, bodes perfectly well with Pep Guardiola's approach.
The 24-year-old racked up a staggering 52 appearances over nearly 3,700 minutes for Manchester City last season, with 35 of them coming in the Premier League. He enjoyed an impressive debut campaign and has already shown the league what he's capable of with some stunning performances in the middle. The Spanish international and former Atletico Madrid man would go on to repay Guardiola's faith in him and emulate his idol Busquets.
#1 Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich | £76.5m
What an absolutely glorious 2019/20 campaign Joshua Kimmich has had.
The all-action German midfielder has been one of the most impressive footballers, let alone midfielders, over the last year or two. Kimmich is the embodiment of Bayern Munich's incredibly resilient and relentless approach to the game. The 25-year-old started all but one of the games in the Bavarians' triumphant UCL campaign and racked up an astonishing 4,354 minutes across all competitions — the most among any player on this list. He did so over the course of 51 games, scoring seven and assisting 17 in the process.
Kimmich is a player who can contribute to the team in a vast array of roles, including defensive midfield, right-back, centre-back, and more. However, it is from defensive midfield that he has shone through the most, covering practically every blade of grass for his side.
His admirable engine and ability to do an incredible number of things on the pitch — scoring goals, taking set-pieces, creating chances, and so much more — make him an outstanding asset for any team on the planet. He is currently the most valuable defensive midfielder in the world after his treble-winning campaign with Bayern Munich.
Also read: 10 Highest rated players on EA Sports FIFA 21
