Premier League 2018/19: The most dominant defensive midfielders of the current season

From playmaking midfielders to the most dominant forwards, we've seen them all. The current season of the Premier League has offered more than what we have expected, most importantly, a stampede of new signings that have flourished not only for their teams but also for their own individual accords. The most important job on the pitch? You may think of the goalscorers and the defenders who are the gears that propel in both the front and the back of the pitch.

However, there is something more to the build-up of modern football. These powerful, quick and agile deep-lying playmakers, who are known to deny waves of attacks put forward by the opposition, and also offer the offence an avalanche of opportunities. From the legends like Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira to the most recent ones in the form of N'golo Kante and Sergio Busquets, the defensive midfield is a position that has always proven to be an important element in a football team, being both, the playmakers and the day-savers, these 'tanks', as we like to call them, are more than just an addition to their current teams.

This season, the Premier League has given us some of the most prominent and consistent defensive-midfielders, who are known to strike fear in the hearts of the opposition with an intimidating and contemplating style of holding-football. Five of these maestros have proven to be the reason for the ongoing success enjoyed by their teams.

#5 Philip Billing - Huddersfield

Billing leads in the number of tackles committed.

Although Huddersfield have struggled so far this season, with a record of 0 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, this young Danish midfielder is someone who has caught the attention of the media in terms of his status as a player. Philip Billing is one of the surprise elements of this particular list of players.

Billing tends to be a natural midfielder, who initially plays in the box to box region, building important plays for his team and assisting the forwards in all the possible means. However, this season told a different tale for the 22-year-old, as he now fits in as a central defensive midfielder in the 5-4-1 formation, pushing Aaron Mooy forward and being on the back line for his team, deploying tackles and solving the on-field problems.

Leading in the number of tackles done, Billing is surely an energetic, consistent and underrated playmaker in the league. With a team that is failing to make an impact, the Danish could make the difference in order to win more and more games for his squad.

#4 Etienne Capoue - Watford

Capoue's brilliance as a defensive midfielder earned him a victory against the Spurs

With an unbelievable victory over the mighty Tottenham Hotspurs, the Hornets have laid down all sorts of questions in the minds of critics and analysts. Watford is now one of the legions who carry four wins in a row for the team. With veteran Javi Garcia applying the most unorthodox tactics in the minds of the Hornets, they now look forward to dominating the entire season with arms wide open. With an unusual formation of 4-2-2-2, playing two defensive midfielders, two central midfielders and two forwards, the Spaniard has proven a point in every aspect.

With the likes of Will Hughes and Pereyra being the natural midfielders for their team, Etienne Capoue has been the 'militia' in the deep-lying area. Combing with Abdoulaye Doucoure, the Frenchman is now becoming one of the most notified defensive midfielders in the league. Currently ranked third in the number of tackles completed, Capoue is an integral part of Garcia's 'newly formed' Watford team, as he is known for being the aggressor from the back line, building some of the important plays we have seen from the Watford side this season.

A natural box to box midfielder, Capoue's revelation is definitely a revolution for his current team.

#3 Fernandinho - Manchester City

Fernandinho is one of the most consistent holding midfielders of his generation.

The Brazilian central defensive-midfielder was one of the core reasons Manchester City grabbed the 2017/18 Premier League title last season. An intelligent and resilient deep-lying playmaker, who lies as a central mechanism of the Manchester City engine, Fernandinho has made some of the most important tackles this season. With his leadership qualities and his ability to take control of the play, this Brazilian maestro is more than just a player in his team. A world class 'Regista', he has been criticized in the past for disciplinary issues, but that naturally comes from the fact that his position is absolutely demanding.

This season, we haven't seen much from the Brazilian international on paper, as his number of tackles and interceptions aren't something we'd like to talk about, but that simply does not shy away from the fact that Fernandinho is one of the most consistent deep-lying defensive midfielders in the world, and with a long season up ahead, the Brazilian maestro is only getting started.

#2 Georgino Wijnaldum - Liverpool

Wijnaldum's brand new position as a holding midfielder can be advantageous for Liverpool

Yet another central midfielder, who transitioned into a deep-lying playmaker, Wijnaldum is the Dutch powerhouse that drives the unbeaten run of the current Liverpool squad. An integral part of taking his team all the way to the Champions League finals last season, Wijnaldum is a tactician who needs no introduction.

This season marks an important chapter in his life, as he looks forward to making the best use of his new role in the squad, being a defensive-midfielder in all means, Wijnaldum now co-ordinates with the likes of Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk, in order to form a trio that blocks, tackles and denies all sorts of attacking options from the frontline of the opposition. A revelation for the 27-year-old, in terms of his new position, has been a success in all means, as he now looks forward to carrying this form to the upcoming matches.

Being a defensive-midfielder is something that will truly light up Wijnaldum's career at the Anfield

#1 Jorginho - Chelsea

The Italian defensive midfielder is a force to be reckoned with!

Most people here wouldn't agree with the fact that this Italian International should be on top of the list, as his fellow teammate N'golo Kante is a better, more aggressive holding-midfielder in the squad. However, the last four games that Chelsea have played saw a transition in which the two midfielders function. N'golo Kante now plays as a box-to-box midfielder or as a central playmaker, occasionally doing the defending for his team. The credit goes to this former Napoli menace, as he has relieved the Frenchman from his defensive midfielder duties, playing the role of a 'Regista' or a deep-lying playmaker under the realm of Maurizio Sarri.

A versatile and intelligent playmaker, Jorginho has denied some of the most aggressive attacks compensated by the top teams this season. He is the reason why the Stamford Bridge remains all calm and enjoys the victories that have been there.

Sarri's £57m gamble has been a success, as the blues now look forward to a long season up ahead, filled with surprise and victories, as Jorginho is here to stay.