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#3 Thiago Alcantara - Liverpool
Liverpool central midfielder Thiago Alcantara is not even half as controversial as Paul Pogba in terms of antics. However, the Spaniard does share the Frenchman’s misfortune when it comes to injuries.
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Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Thiago could school the best of midfielders on his day. Sadly, he has not been able to establish himself as one of the best in the world due to the lack of regular football.
Thiago has only featured in 11 league matches for the Reds this season. First, he missed five games due to a calf injury and then sat out of the Reds’ last four matches due to COVID-19.
With Thiago in the team, Liverpool have only dropped five points this season, while losing 11 points without him on the pitch.
The Spain international’s return is paramount for Liverpool’s title challenge, but the club do not yet have a return date for their star midfielder.
#2 Marco Verratti - Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti is arguably the best midfielder in Ligue 1. His distribution is extraordinary, his work rate is impressive, and he has a knack for providing defense-piercing passes every now and then.
PSG tend to look like a completely transformed side with him in the team. They keep hold of the ball better, press more intelligently, and can afford to be more adventurous going forward.
Sadly, the Parisians have rarely been able to witness Verratti’s greatness at a stretch.
Last season, Verratti missed 15 Ligue 1 games due to various injuries. In his absence, PSG dropped 11 points and saw Lille snatch the Ligue 1 title.
Verratti has already missed eight matches in the French top-flight alone this season due to injuries and fitness concerns. Thankfully, PSG's stacked midfield is now a little better equipped to deal with the Italy international's absence.
#1 N’Golo Kante - Chelsea
Chelsea number 7 N’Golo Kante is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. From taking Leicester City to a historic Premier League title to helping the Blues to their second-ever Champions League crown, Kante has done it all.
He is already regarded as one of the best of this generation, and he could achieve more if he can keep injury issues at bay. Between a groin injury, knee issues, and COVID-19, the 2018 World Cup winner has missed nine matches in all competitions.
Kante has performed out of his skin every time he has walked out onto the pitch this term. If Chelsea are to win something big, they must find a way to keep their best player fit for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.
