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Central/Defensive Midfielder - Thomas Partey - Ghana/Arsenal (€50 million)
Thomas Partey has had a rather stop-start campaign since arriving at Arsenal in the summer.
Nevertheless, whenever he has been fit, the former Atletico Madrid player has brought much-needed steel and rigidity to the Arsenal midfield.
He is yet to score for his new club, but has provided an assist in 13 games in all competitions.
Recently, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta waxed lyrical about the impact of Thomas Partey, saying in this regard:
“I am really happy. He got better and better as the game went on. He has a big influence and gave us things which were different from any other player. We have to protect him as he’s not played that much.”
Central Midfielder - Naby Keita - Guinea/Liverpool (€40 million)
Naby Keita has impressed at Liverpool since arriving at the club in the summer of 2018.
The 26-year-old Guinea international scored twice and assisted three times in Liverpool's victorious Premier League campaign last season.
However, Keita is one of several players whose injury-enforced absence has ravaged Liverpool's 2020-21 season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shared an update about Naby Keita, who hasn't played this year due to injury:
"He is no longer injured but he is not fit. These injuries were minor things but kicked him out of the team, but he has an excellent perspective. He is a great player. And when these injuries are behind him, we will have a great player," said Klopp.
Central Midfield - Franck Kesie - Ivory Coast/AC Milan (€40 million)
After arriving at AC Milan at the tender age of 20, Franck Kessie is emerging as one of the jewels of the Rossoneri's crown.
The Ivory Coast international, who predominantly plays in central midfield, is leading AC Milan's unlikely title charge with an impressive tally of seven goals and three assists.
Expectedly the target of a bevy of clubs across continental Europe, Kessie is highly regarded by AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli, who recently said about the player:
“Franck is a complete player; he gives us physicality, energy, quality, protects the defence and knits the moves going forward too. He has this eternally positive mentality in the match situation; he's the first to help out a teammate or reassure them. This is a young side that needs guidance and encouragement, so Kessie is invaluable in that sense."
