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The measured and meticulous style of international football means games are often won and lost in midfield. National teams take better care of the ball, play more short passes, and are not as direct as club sides.
Teams who retain possession and win battles in the middle of the park are the ones who usually make deep runs in international tournaments. For example, the finalists at this year's Euro 2020, Italy and England, averaged 54% and 52% possession during the tournament.
While trophies are never guaranteed, midfield depth goes a long way in international football
Dominating possession isn't a guarantee of success, as demonstrated by 2018 FIFA World Cup winners France (48.6%) and 2021 Copa America champions Argentina (49%).
However, the average ball-retention numbers of the losing finalists on both occasions - Croatia (56.6%) and Brazil (58%) - show the merits of having a strong midfield.
On that note, here's a look at the five national teams with the best midfield depth at the moment:
Note: Only central, defensive and attacking midfielders have been taken into account. Wingers have been excluded.
#5 Germany
Die Mannschaft have always been known for their dominance in the middle of the park. Year after year, Germany produce exceptionally well-rounded midfielders who can do a bit of everything at a high level.
Euro 2020, though, was a nightmare for the Germans, who crashed out in the Round of 16 against rivals England. Their dismal tournament was followed by the retirement of veteran midfield star Toni Kroos and the resignation of long-term coach Joachim Low.
On the bright side, Germany secured direct qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after an utterly ruthless campaign. Hansi Flick's men won nine of their ten games. They had a goal difference of +32 to go with 75% possession and a 90% pass completion rate across the qualifying Round.
Options in midfield: Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Julian Brandt, Marco Reus, Kai Havertz, Florian Neuhaus, Florian Wirtz, Maximilian Arnold, Jamal Musiala, Ridle Baku.
#4 England
In a few years time, England might well have the best midfield in international football. As in other areas of the exciting Three Lions squad, the standout factor is youth. Outside of 31-year-old Jordan Henderson, none of England's central midfielders in their most recent international squad were above the age of 25.
Not only does Gareth Southgate have young midfielders, but more crucially, the manager also has a variety of players at his disposal.
The current England squad has a midfield that can do it all: pass, defend and score. This versatility is best exemplified by their recent Euro 2020 and World Cup Qualifying campaigns. Although they were both successful campaigns, they were still fundamentally different.
The Three Lions' run to the Euro 2020 final was fuelled by solidity as their double pivot of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips neutralised opponents. Southgate's side conceded just twice in seven games, both of which came from set-pieces.
In World Cup qualifying, though, England were rampant. They finished atop their group, and scored the most goals by any European team, netting 39 in ten games. Their share of possession jumped from around 50% at Euro 2020 to 73% in World Cup qualifying.
Adept at dominating lesser teams, England also have the depth in personnel to shut out elite sides, which is something that augurs well for their future.
Options in midfield: Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jesse Lingard, Emile Smith Rowe, Jordan Henderson, James Ward-Prowse.
#3 Italy
The Italian midfield sizzled during in their triumphant European Championship campaign this summer. There was a certain swagger and arrogance about Italy's effortless control in the middle of the park. Jorginho and Marco Verratti pinged the ball around at ease, finding space and time that only centre-backs usually enjoy.
With Serie A stars Nicollo Barella and Manuel Locatelli both willing runners, Italy's midfield doesn't lack grit and industry, despite the obvious elegance on display. They also offer a welcome goal threat. The Azzurri's primary striker Ciro Immobile and his back-up Andrea Belotti combined for just two goals at Euro 2020, none of which came in the knockout rounds.
Their blunt attack is why Italy must navigate through the perilous playoffs to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They finished second in their group despite boasting the joint-best defence in World Cup qualifiers in Europe. They averaged a whopping 67% possession and 88% pass completion rate across eight games.
Although they remained unbeaten, Italy could score only 13 goals, and were beaten to the top spot in Group C by Switzerland.
Options in midfield: Marco Verratti, Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella, Matteo Pessina, Sandro Tonali, Federico Bernardeschi, Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Nicolo Zaniolo, Giacomo Bonaventura.
#2 France
Despite winning football's most prestigious trophy - the FIFA World Cup - France manager Didier Deschamps is still occasionally criticised for his tactics. Although previous results suggest otherwise, perhaps the national team's critics are not entirely without reason.
France have an embarrassment of midfield riches, yet often Les Bleus do not seem to grab games by the scruff of the neck. Indeed, the team seems more than happy to play on the break, especially against quality opposition.
Nonetheless, France have bounced back after a horrific showing at Euro 2020. They were knocked out by Switzerland in the Round of 16 after drawing three of their four games at the tournament.
Les Bleus then clinched the UEFA Nations League, finishing atop an admittedly easy 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying group. Deschamps' men averaged 60% possession, and completed 90% of their passes in an unbeaten qualifying campaign.
Options in midfield: Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Thomas Lemar, Adrien Rabiot, Houssem Aouar, Tanguy Ndombele, Corentin Tolisso, Jordan Veretout, Moussa Sissoko, Matteo Guendouzi.
#1 Spain
Any midfield list would be incomplete without Spain, who continue to find technically impeccable players to replace their golden generation. The likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva are gone. But La Furia Roja's midfield remains a puzzle many opponent teams are simply unable to figure out.
There's a veteran presence with Thiago Alcantara and captain Sergio Busquets still part of the fray. Joining them are experienced players in their prime such as Koke and Rodri, while Barcelona youngsters Pedri and Gavi represent a group of exciting youngsters.
After controversially failing to pick a single Real Madrid player in his Euro 2020 squad, Luis Enrique led Spain to an exciting run to the semi-finals. Despite a slow start, Spain improved with every game before losing to eventual winners Italy on penalties.
With 67% and 76% of ball possession at Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, respectively, Spain's midfield remains nearly impossible to dispossess. Question marks remain, though, about the team's ability to score.
They scored 15 goals in eight FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the joint-lowest among teams that finished on top of their group in Europe. Spain failed to win four of their six Euro 2020 games after 90 minutes, with ten of their 13 goals coming in only two games.
Options in midfield: Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara, Marcos Llorente, Rodri, Koke, Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Oyarzabal, Brahim Diaz, Pablo Fornals, Dani Olmo, Dani Ceballos, Fabian Ruiz.
Poll : Who has the better midfield?
England
France
79 votes
