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Germany's World Cup win proved that 2014 has been the year of the midfielder. For much of the World Cup, the Germans played without a recognised striker and showed that if you have a solid midfield that can not only create, but also score goals, then you don’t need a striker. Often unsung heroes while the forwards take all the credit, 2014 has seen the rise of some truly gifted midfielders and arrival of some midfielders who will go on to dominate in the coming years. For the purpose of this list, only players who have played in central midfield, either defensively or offensively have been taken into account as wingers are also considered as forwards. So let us take a look at who makes it into the list of the top 10 midfielders in the calendar year 2014.Honourable mentions: Yaya Toure, Arturo Vidal, David Silva and Bastian Schweinsteiger don’t make the cut as they weren’t consistent throughout the calendar year. All stats are from ESPNFC (until Dec 13)VOTE at the end of the slideshow for the best midfielder in 2014.
#10 Nemanja Matic - Benfica/Chelsea
3 goals and 7 assists from 41 appearances
Ever since signing for Chelsea in January 2014, Nemanja Matic has become an indispensable part of the Chelsea line up. The reigning Serbian Player of the Year has quickly established himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world.
One of the main reasons why Matic creeps into the top ten has been his consistent performances for the Blues this season and his ability to combine brain and brawn to shield the defence with complete control.
The man mountain has been rock solid sitting just in front of the back four and mopping up, but at the same time has shown that he can rampage forward with real purpose and is a big threat during set pieces. He has also forged a successful partnership with Cesc Fabregas.
How much do Chelsea rely on him? The Blues lost their first game this season when he was not in the squad against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
#9 Paul Pogba - Juventus and France
7 goals and 5 assists from 45 appearances
Although he is still only 21, Pogba's performances for Juventus have already seen many call him Sir Alex Ferguson's biggest mistake. The Frenchman was an integral part of the Juve side that finished 17 points clear of Roma and romped to another Serie A title.
One of the few world-class box-to-box midfielders who are currently plying their trade in Europe, the former Manchester United man has it all – passion, pace, power and passing range. His performances in the World Cup earned him the Best Young Player of the Tournament award and that has helped him kick on and start this season on song, guiding his side into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
#8 Daley Blind - Ajax/ Manchester United and Netherlands
2 goals and 1 assist from 31 appearances
There have been plenty of players that have to come to Manchester United with a reputation and failed. So when the club signed the reigning Dutch Player of the Year, many were sceptical.
But the Dutchman took to his defensive midfield role like a duck to water. After helping Ajax to another Eredivisie title in 2014, Blind's arrival at Old Trafford marked the transition of a side that was more comfortable and confident in possession.
Blind's ability to constantly recycle the ball and keep the game flowing was one of the main reasons why Manchester United were able to win some games early on, when they seemingly had no defenders.
#7 Ivan Rakitic - Sevilla/Barcelona and Croatia
11 goals and 12 assists from 45 appearances
The Croatian midfielder enjoyed a wonderful end to the 2013/14 season as he finished as one of La Liga's leading creators and guided Sevilla to the Europa League title. A switch to Barcelona in the summer has seen him continue from where he left off at the end of last season.
Rakitic's ability to not just pick out the precise pass but also get forward and score goals has been a valuable addition to the Catalan outfit. While many midfielders struggle with the transition to Barcelona, the 26-year-old has already scored thrice in the League and has given the Catalans a presence in the box, especially during set-pieces.
#6 Koke - Atletico Madrid and Spain
7 goals and 18 assists from 54 appearances
Atletico Madrid broke the Real Madrid-Barcelona hegemony at the top of the La Liga last season, when they won the League for the first time since 1996. While all the praise has been on Diego Costa and the defence, one man who deserves just as much credit, if not more, is Koke.
The Spanish midfielder finished last season having created the second-most number of chances in La Liga and also scoring some crucial goals, including one in the quarter-final against Barcelona.
With eight assists already this season and Angel Di Maria also gone, it looks as though there is no stopping the 22-year-old from claiming the most assists this time around.
#5 Cesc Fabregas - Barcelona/Chelsea and Spain
7 goals and 18 assists from 51 appearances
Although Fabregas’ homecoming didn't go as well as he hoped, he still enjoyed a very good end to the season at the Camp Nou. One of Jose Mourinho’s first signings of the summer, the Spanish international has put aside a forgettable World Cup with a fantastic start to life at Chelsea.
The Spaniard's link-up with Diego Costa was almost telepathic at the start of the season and he has formed a crucial midfield partnership with Nemanja Matic. Although we haven't yet reached the halfway mark for the season, the Spaniard is already into double digits in assists in the League and looking like he is worth every penny Chelsea paid for him.
#4 Javier Mascherano - Barcelona and Argentina
No goals or assists from 45 appearances
With the addition of Luis Suarez and the presence of Neymar, the Catalans are unlikely to struggle even in the absence of Lionel Messi. But one player that is irreplaceable in the current Catalan line up is Javier Mascherano.
The Argentine midfielder has alternated between a central defensive midfielder and central defender and has excelled in both positions. Although the club went trophy-less last season, such has been his importance to Barcelona that coach Luis Enrique has done everything possible to keep him in the side this season.
Though defensive midfielders often don't get the credit he deserves, Mascherano is slowly changing that thanks to his consistently commanding performances week-in week-out and was one of the most instrumental cogs in taking Argentina to the World Cup final.
#3 Luka Modric - Real Madrid and Croatia
2 goals and 8 assists from 48 appearances
If there was one player who was as influential as Cristiano Ronaldo in helping secure La Decima for Real Madrid, it was Luka Modric. The Croatian midfielder, along with Angel Di Maria, was the engine room and ensured that the ball was always fed to the likes of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema up front.
The 29-year-old's ability to link up midfield and attack and provide killer through balls has transformed the side. And it is no surprise to see that no Real Madrid player has made more passes than Modric in 2014.
After a successful partnership with Xabi Alonso, the Croatian's partnership with a similarly dynamic midfielder in Kroos has already proven to be a success this season.
#2 Toni Kroos - Bayern Munich/Real Madrid and Germany
4 goals and 12 assists from 45 appearances
Nailing down a starting berth in the current Bayern Munich midfield is an impossible task for even seasoned campaigners, but the 24-year-old was able to knuckle down and become an integral part of the Bavarians double-winning campaign last season. Following his World Cup triumph, the central midfielder moved to Spain and has thus far shown just why he is a bargain, even at €25 million.
Whether it was playing as a deep-lying midfielder at Bayern Munich or further forward like he does for Real Madrid, Kroos has shown that he has the versatility to adapt to his role. Kroos' technical brilliance and ability on the ball has been a crucial part of Real Madrid's club-record breaking winning run which now stands at 20 games.
#1 Philipp Lahm - Bayern Munich and Germany
3 goals and 7 assists from 41 appearances
Taking first place on this list is none other than Germany's World Cup winning captain Philipp Lahm. While many are talking up Manuel Neuer's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, not many are taking about Lahm. Perhaps the fact that awards are always won by attackers is a reason why, but the simple fact is that the 31-year-old is the best midfielder in the world.
The German had the most touches of the ball in the Champions League in 2014 and is without a doubt, the most intelligent footballer of his generation. His intelligence, leadership, ability on the ball have led Pep Guardiola to convert a full-back by trade into a central midfielder and call him the smartest footballer he has ever worked with.
