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Having a quality attacking midfielder on the team is a blessing which every football club needs. A striker bangs in goals but for him to function correctly, the role a central attacking midfielder becomes very crucial. Mostly these players are assigned with the Number 10 position on the field where they can distribute the balls in the opposition penalty box as they wish.
Generally, as an attacking midfielder, you require a good vision, excellent passing skills, long shot range, excellent dribbling skills, and an accurate distribution skills. Most often the opposing defence will sit back and restrict the attacking side to decidedly fewer chances, that is where the role of attacking midfielders becomes pivotal in penetrating the opposition defence. The Barcelona side under Pep Guardiola has seen some quality players in that position with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta repeatedly finding spaces and providing some killer assists for the strikers. Apart from that, it is one of the most fun roles to play because their defensive responsibility is limited compared to other midfield positions, which gives them the freedom to roam and be true playmakers.
There are a lot of such attacking players who have mesmerized us with their skills and flair. In respect to them, here is a look of the top 5 attacking midfielders in the world right now.
#5 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is an ideal midfielder with his physique, his passing ability, and long-range shots. But there is a difference in the way Pogba plays for the club and his country. In Russia, he bossed the midfield and provided some defensive breaking assists to the likes of Giroud, Griezmann, and Mbappe.
Despite all that, he looks like his own shadow while playing for Manchester United. Pogba's return to Manchester United hasn't gone as planned and it's deteriorating with every passing day. He has shown glimpses of what he can do but has been very inconsistent with his performances. Pogba is a bit too reluctant to play the defensive role and likes to move higher up the midfield whenever there is an opportunity.
#4 Isco
A playmaker with an exceptional natural ability, Isco is arguably the most entertaining player to watch in world football. The Real Madrid midfielder can play in many different attacking midfield roles and usually moves across the pitch regardless of his starting position in search of spaces and always looks to get on the ball as much as possible.
Isco is brilliant at increasing the tempo and taking opponents out of the game with his oozing creativity and passing skills.
#3 David Silva
Manchester City bought him in the year 2010 and since then its been eight years of watching the brilliant midfield maestro mesmerize us with his silky touches and defensive breaking through balls. If any current player deserves to be a City legend, then it is this man. The Spaniard is into the fag end of his career but still possess those same vision and dribbling skills which he had eight years ago.
Silva’s decision-making is flawless, coupled up with great technique means he’s invariably able to execute those ideas. He’s started to add more goals to his game in the last couple of years, becoming a more rounded player at the age of 32.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne
The goal against Chelsea at Stanford Bridge last season was probably one of the best goals he had ever scored. Kevin De Bruyne can pick a pass from anywhere on the football pitch. He is a delight to work with for any centre forward because he nonchalantly finds them time and again.
Jose Mourinho failed to identify his talent at Chelsea and transferred him to Bundesliga to grow as a player, and now the Premier League is witnessing the brilliance of his man. Pep Guardiola sometimes gives him a defensive midfield role which he performs as diligently as when he his attacking. He is just 27 years old and has plenty to offer to the footballing world.
#1 Luka Modric
Perhaps the most underrated midfielder in the world, the Croatian is a treat to watch whenever he plays for club and country. When Real Madrid signed him from Spurs, there was a lot of speculation of a transfer disaster and all, but Modric silenced all his critics and had already won four UEFA Champions League crown with the Madrid giants.
But that's not all from the Croatian genius. In the recently concluded World Cup, he was the best player of the tournament and helped his country reach their first World Cup final. The 33-year-old is adept at carrying the ball forward and driving into space and is an influential figure in the midfield. After a magnificent 2018, he fully deserves the top spot in this list of top 5 attacking midfielders in the world.
