Premier League 2018/19: Ranking the top 5 'Midfielder Trios' 

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Which midfield trio carries the magic?

A strong engine has got the gears propelling, and these gears of football are nothing but a combination of three midfielders from each and every team that put forward a show that we can never resist.

A strong midfield trio can always get the game in their hands, be it in terms of possession, or be developing the most versatile tactics the sport has ever seen. Midfield is where it starts and where it truly ends.

These 5 'Midfield Trios' are the reason why their teams enjoy the ongoing success runs. They fuel the attacking lineup with through balls, empty spaces, unparallel opportunities and making judgments that most players can't. Find out who they truly are, as we rank the top 5 midfield trios of the ongoing Premier League Season.

Also Read: How these 10 players make a difference to their teams.

#5 Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva, Fernandinho - Manchester City

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After Kevin De Bruyne suffered a lesion of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee as a training injury, many weren't surprised by the fact that he was put on the crutches; but the bad news truly came when it was announced that the Belgian International could be out for as long as 3 months, giving not only Guardiola but the entire Manchester City lineup a reason to worry about.

However, truth be told, Pep always has a backup and is ready with a suitable replacement. Ilkay Gundogan, a quick, agile and a genius of a playmaker took the mantle of what many would call the 'driving force' of the Manchester City attack. Along with two of the most experienced midfielders, Silva and Fernandinho, Gundogan was able to replace De Bruyne against both Arsenal as well as Huddersfield.

With Fernandinho mastering the skill of a holding midfielder, and David Silva is the dark horse behind every single Manchester City attack, the 'three musketeers' allow a more free-flowing and counter-attacking initiative, which provides width to the fellow teammates and fullbacks Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, as well as providing assists to the likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero. The trio has excelled in the minds of both the manager and the fans, and are a threat to most of the opposition.

#4 Abdoulaye Doucoure, Etienne Capoue, Will Hughes - Watford

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Many wouldn't agree with Watford being on the 'Top - 5' list, but the recent performances against Brighton, Burnley, and Crystal Palace contradict the fact that the Hornets aren't 'capable'. An unusual formation of 4-2-2-2 and tactics laid by their veteran Javi Garcia aren't the only reasons why this brand new Watford legion are becoming a problem for most of the teams.

A midfield comprising of Doucoure, Capoue, and Hughes is one of the ice-breaking factors that keep the squad on the 4th position. With Doucoure and Capoue playing in the holding positions, as well as being the deep-lying playmakers for both Troy Deeny and Andre Gray, Will Hughes provides the typical number 10 understanding for the empty spaces in the middle, allowing the fullbacks to apply width and create a more aggressive approach towards the opposition, leaving them confused and clueless.

The trio has really been an asset for the Hornets and could be a key factor in the development of a new era of football for one of the most competitive, yet underestimated sides in the League.

#3 Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier - Tottenham Hotspur

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With a brand new role in the team, Dele Alli is now evolving into an aggressive and natural attacking midfielder, having scored against Newcastle and delivering an unbiased performance against both Fulham and Manchester United, he doesn't do it all on his own.

With the minds of two of his 'world-class' teammates Eriksen and Eric Dier, being the midfield maestros of the current Spurs lineup, it is only getting better for this highly competitive team. Christian Eriksen rotates around the empty spaces like a kid in the candy store, as we saw against Manchester United, the Danish playmaker left no opportunities, working with both Keiran Trippier and Lucas Moura to utilize those gaps and creating some of the quality passes this season has devised.

A natural number 10, he pushes the game and fuses with Alli to develop an offensive playmaking approach. However, the two are still incomplete without the input given by their most skilled holding midfielder, Eric Dier; denying waves of attacks thrown by the opposition and being the link between both Alli and Eriksen, providing the kind of passes that the Spurs forwards look forward to.

The final stage of their attack, Harry Kane, who is the ultimate goal can only welcome the opportunities given to them by this deadly midfield trio. The season is long, and they aren't ready to give up at all!

#2 Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita - Liverpool FC

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We mentioned the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur having the most priced midfielders in their possessions, but this is going to be different, as this playmaking trio isn't what many would call 'star-studded' or 'high value'. A high contrast in the midfield from the last season, with the exclusion of Jordan Henderson in the first 3 matches and the arrival of a brand new £52.75million box to box midfielder being the core of the Liverpool machinery, Naby Keita is a true Guinean force that many had underestimated upon arrival.

However, the former Leipzig playmaker stood up to the expectations as a midfielder who has the team's back. Forging an alliance with James Milner and Georgino Wijnaldum, the Liverpool number 8 deploys himself either as a number 10 or as a central playmaker. With James Milner being the aggressor, and Wijnaldum being the Deep-lying midfielder. The trio was they key behind their first 3 victories.

As the season progresses, and Liverpool face a tougher opponent in the form of Leicester City, the three horsemen will be the captains of the boat, providing magical through balls and finding spaces for the likes of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane, their skills and guts will be tested. With a counter-attacking approach and a manager who is flexible enough, will the walk out the as winners?

#1 Jorginho, Ngolo Kante, Ross Barkley - Chelsea

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Although the last match against Newcastle saw a minute change, with Mateo Kovacic starting for the blues, Ross Barkley did show up as a substitute and delivered a spectacular performance. Something not most of the Chelsea supporters expected him to do. The 24-year old, what many say, is the sole replacement of Cesc Fabregas, who lies on the Chelsea bench undisturbed.

However, in the fixtures against Arsenal and Huddersfield, the midfielder showed a different character. An aggressive, constructive and cheerful approach, as he combined with two of the best midfielders of the league. Jorginho, and Kante. The former Napoli star and the world cup winner, along with Barkley are easily considered to be the best midfield trio of the current Premier League season.

With Jorginho relieving Kante off his defensive midfielder duties and allowing the Frenchmen to play more attacking football, to Ross Barkley being the hard-working, playmaking attacking third with Eden Hazard, the 'three blues' have left their impact on the supporters as well as the managers. Making Eden Hazard the playmaker up front and allowing Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta to become the aggressors, Barkley, Kante, and Jorginho is the powerhouse of this aggressive Chelsea lineup. They could also make the blues the contenders for the Premier League title.

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Edited by Shruti Sadbhav