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Midfield
Fabinho
It's hard to believe that there was a section of supporters that doubted Fabinho after his €45m arrival from AS Monaco. Fast forward to about a year later and the Brazilian has become the defensive lynchpin that Liverpool have grown to rely on.
A tough-tackling defensive midfielder by trade, Fabinho has been an immovable force in midfield for the Anfield outfit and has grown into a dependable figure in the middle of the park, enabling fellow midfielders Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum to venture further up the pitch. His presence also helps both full-backs bombard up and down the pitch.
Averaging an impressive 2.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 86% pass success rate and 4.1 long balls per game, Fabinho has been crucial to Liverpool's dominance in midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne
Despite Manchester City's title challenge having effectively ended due to Liverpool's undisputed dominance, Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been one of the two or three best players in the division so far. The Belgian has notched up a frankly ridiculous tally of 12 assists and 7 goals in 19 league appearances and is very much on course to break Thierry Henry's long-standing record of 20 assists in the 2002/03 edition of the Premier League.
De Bruyne has been the driving force of a star-studded City midfield alongside the likes of David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri. In Pep Guardiola's record-breaking 100 point-season, the former Chelsea man was the only player in Europe to have registered over 60 chances created and 60 tackles made, which is further evidence of De Bruyne's ability to dominate midfields on his own. Added to that, his sublime ability to deliver the ball into the box with the utmost precision makes him a dangerous threat for any defence in the world, let alone the league.
This season, he has been as sharp as ever and has single-handedly produced moments of magic time and again to give his side the edge, such as his displays against Arsenal, Chelsea, and more. Averaging a brilliant 3.7 key passes, 3.1 shots and 2.5 crosses per game, Kevin De Bruyne has undoubtedly been the best midfielder in the Premier League this season.
James Maddison
Leicester City's James Maddison has been at the heart of everything positive that the Foxes have produced from midfield. Brendan Rodgers' time at the King Power has been impressive so far and the former Norwich City man is viewed to be the future of the former Premier League champions' midfield, and with good reason.
This season, Maddison has contributed to 5 goals and 3 assists from midfield, including crucial goals against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. The Englishman is an excellent creator from advanced areas of midfield, and has created the most number of chances in the league since the start of last season. He's averaging a healthy 2.4 shots, 2.4 key passes and 83% pass succession rate in the 2019/20 season.
Linked heavily with a move to Manchester United, it is unclear as to how Maddison's stay at the King Power will last. However, he has done his growing reputation no harm with another superb season so far, and will look to help Leicester consolidate their position in the Champions League spots on the league table.
