'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Jorginho | Chelsea and Italy
What an unbelievable year Jorginho has had! The midfielder has arguably been the most improved player of 2021, winning the hearts of many with his eye-catching displays. Jorginho lifted continental silverware with both club and country during the 2020-21 campaign.
The Italian first made history with Chelsea as the Blues upset the odds and went all the way to winning the prestigious UEFA Champions League title last season. He made 43 appearances for Thomas Tuchel's side across all fronts, recording eight goals and two assists to his name.
The midfielder followed that up with another triumph at the European Championship this summer. Jorginho's impeccable passing skills helped Italy outclass opposition teams on their way to winning the tournament. He featured in all of Gil Azzurri's seven games in the competition, playing 705 minutes in total.
#2 Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich and Germany
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich belongs among the most impressive defensive midfielders the football world has to offer right now. If you're a true lover of the beautiful game, you are bound to be full of admiration for this amazing player.
Kimmich has been one of the top performers for Bayern Munich in recent years. For a team that boasts world-class players on every part of the pitch, being singled out for praise is no easy feat.
The German thrives off his ability to dictate proceedings in midfield, while simultaneously dropping deep to help with defensive duties. Kimmich's stamina also allows him to dash forward to attack opposition teams, while his versatality means he can be utilized as a right-back as well. The 26-year-old enjoyed a fabulous outing last season, contributing six goals and 14 assists for Bayern as they won the Bundesliga title yet again.
#1 N'Golo Kante | Chelsea and France
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that there's no better defensive midfielder than N'Golo Kante in the football world at the moment. Such has been his brilliance this year that many are tipping him to win the coveted Ballon d'Or accolade.
Chelsea fans couldn't stop singing Ngolo Kante's praises following the Frenchman's heroics in the Champions League last season. He totally ran the show, working tirelessly like a clock to keep his team fighting hard until the very last moment.
Kante was everywhere on the pitch, throwing his body against all sorts of shots and pocketing even the most potent attackers on the planet. The Frenchman also used his bursts of energy to take the fight to opposition defenses. Kante was named the Man Of The Match in both legs of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid as well as in the final against Manchester City. What a player!
