10 best U-23 midfielders in the world right now

Midfielders are the players who run the game of football. They are crucial in setting up the style of play and controlling the flow of the game.

These players are the link between attack and defence often playing defence-splitting passes and breaking up opposition play as and when required. This season, the top leagues around the world have witnessed many amazing midfielders go about their business and pull the strings for their respective sides.

All the best teams in the world have that one player in the centre of the park capable of making a difference with a moment of magic. While the players on this list may all be under 23, they are already key players for their respective sides.

Without much ado, let us take a look at the 10 best U-23 midfielders in world football:

#10 Ruben Neves (Porto)

At the tender age of 19, Ruben neves has already captained Portuguese giants Porto. Neves primarily plays as a defensive midfielder although he is not afraid to go forward usually being the catalyst for Porto’s attacking moves.

Neves is a born footballer with great positional sense and an eye for a pass as well. Although Neves, like most players his age lacks the physique to be a proper defensive midfielder at the moment, his skills on the ball and his playmaking skills more than makeup for it.

The youngster has also represented the Portugal national side having made 2 appearances for the senior side. Neves has shown consistency and maturity which belies his young age and he has already proven that he is a natural leader.

Fast becoming the midfield mainstay at a club of Porto’s stature, Neves definitely has a bright future ahead of him.

#9 Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach)

One of the most promising players for Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, Mahmoud Dahoud is one of the game’s most talented ‘number 8’s’. Although not known for being too versatile, Dahoud’s technical skills on the ball and his immaculate passing has seen him rack up a number of assists and key passes in the Bundesliga.

What sets him apart from his peers is his incredible tenacity and work rate which has seen him become a prime target for top clubs across Europe like Liverpool, Juventus and Patis Saint-Germain.

The one glaring weakness in Dahoud’s otherwise perfect game is his aerial ability and positioning skills. However, Dahoud’s contribution to the attacking side of the game more than makes up for it and at 21, the young German is destined to go on and achieve great things.

#8 Bernardo Silva (AS Monaco)

One of the most technically gifted midfielders in Portugal, Bernardo Silva is playing so well that he often keeps the more established Andre Gomes out of the Portugal starting XI.

He has caught the attention of various top teams in Europe after his incredible season with AS Monaco in the top tier of French football. Silva is not one of those overhyped youngsters but a talent that has the potential to be world class.

The highlight of Silva’s game is his dribbling skills and it is a joy to watch him when he is on the ball. He is excellent in one-on-one situations and often humiliates defenders as he gets past them with ease. His technique is sublime and he possesses excellent vision. Coupled with his good passing range, Silva has all the attributes to be a perfect creative midfielder.

With Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus all interested in the Monaco youngster, Bernardo Silva might well be plying his trade in one of Europe’s top clubs after the next transfer window.

#7 Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)

Still only 18 and already a crucial first team player for Borussia Dortmund, Christian Pulisic is considered to be the next big hope for the US Men’s National team. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Pulisic already holds a host of records including being the youngest ever player to score a brace in the Bundesliga.

A modern day number 10, Pulisic is blessed with a low centre of gravity and is capable of leaving opposition defenders flat footed with his brilliant dribbling skills and pace. The young American also has an eye for goal and he has already scored 3 goals for the US National team and 4 goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

His good performances with Dortmund drew a lot of attention from all the top clubs across Europe, however, the talented youngster recently signed a new deal with the Bundesliga giants which will keep him at the club until 2020.

#6 Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)

One of the most versatile players in Spain, Saul Niguez has quickly developed into an important first-team player for Diego Simeone’s combative Atletico Madrid side. At just 22 years old, Saul still has plenty of time to determine his best position as his ability to read the play and intercept passes make him well-suited to a number of roles.

Primarily left footed, Saul is capable of the spectacular as he demonstrated with a beautiful solo goal in Atletico Madrid’s crucial Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich. The goal was so good that Simeone even called it one of the best Champions League goals of all time:

“I think Saul's character helped him to score that beautiful goal, it was really beautiful. One of the best goals in this Champions League so we're really happy with his goal.'’

Capable of playing on the wings, as a box to box midfielder and even as a defensive midfielder, the young Spaniard is tipped by many to become a global superstar and the 22 yeard old definitely has the skills to live up to all the hype.

#5 Naby Keita (RB Leipzig)

The unsung hero in RB Leipzig’s incredible Bundesliga season, Naby Keita has been one of the best signings of the year. Signed from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, Keita has quickly established himself as Leipzig’s midfield mainstay.

A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, Keita has often been compared to Chelsea star N’golo Kante. The Guinea international is also blessed with excellent distribution and passing skills and what sets him apart from Kante is his ability to pop up with crucial goals.

Still only 21, Keita has already grabbed plenty of eyeballs with his performances in the Bundesliga this season. While Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg have grabbed all the attention with their stunning performances, Keita has arguably been Leipzig's most important player.

#4 Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund)

Just 21 and already a full German international, Julian Weigl has been one of Borussia Dortmund’s most consistent players in the last two years. His calm and composed presence on the ball and his brilliant positioning has seen him become one of the game’s best defensive midfielders.

In fact, Weigl has been so good that he has been continuously linked with a move to Real Madrid with manager Zidane reported to be a huge fan of the young German’s talents. While Weigl is undoubtedly talented and full of potential, what makes him a star is his unmatched work ethic.

A hard tackling midfielder who is never shy of taking responsibility, Weigl is one of Bundesliga’s crown jewels and Dortmund will do well to hold on to this precociously talented German international.

#3 Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

The latest attacking midfielder coming out from Spain, Marco Asensio has really captured everyone’s imagination with his good performances in pre-season, UEFA Super Cup, and for Real Madrid whenever he has got the opportunity. Blessed with excellent passing skills, vision and intelligence, Asensio’s decision-making skills are already at a very high level despite the fact that he is still only 21.

The Real Madrid youngster also has great close control and dribbling skills, and he is never shy of taking on a player. Capable of scoring spectacular goals, Asensio’s performances have been so good that many Madrid fans feel that he is already higher up in the pecking order compared to established stars like James Rodriguez and Isco.

Rafael Nadal on a phone call to Perez convinced the Real Madrid president to buy Asensio from Mallorca, and Zidane and the Real Madrid board will be thanking the tennis star for recommending them to sign Asensio.

Also, Asensio seems to enjoy the confidence of Zidane and with both James Rodriguez and Isco battling injuries, Asensio could well play a major role in Real Madrid’s title chances this season.

#2 Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)

The most promising youngster in world football right now, Renato Sanches has put up some extremely impressive performances in the last one and a half years. The 19-year-old midfielder had his breakthrough season last year and quickly became Benfica’s midfield stay.

His good performances with Benfica soon earned him a call-up to the Portugal national team where he played a starring role in their Euro 2016 triumph. Sanches is blessed with good passing skills, dribbling, agility and his imposing physique makes him an intimidating opponent.

Having sealed a big money move to Bayern Munich last summer, Sanches will be looking to kick on and earn a regular starting spot with the Bundesliga giants. At just 19, Sanches has already been compared to Clarence Seedorf and if he continues playing in the same manner, those comparisons might well come true.

Sanches is widely touted to be the next true World Class star after Cristiano Ronaldo to emerge from Portugal.

#1 Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

“We've got Alli, Dele Alli, I just don't think you understand. He only cost 5 mill, He's better than Ozil, We've got Dele Alliiiiiiii…"

The Tottenham faithful have been waxing lyrical about Dele Alli’s abilities and it is easy to see why they love the former MK Dons midfielder. An absolute steal at just 5 million, Dele Alli at the age of 20 has already been capped by England 15 times and is one of Tottenham’s star players along with Harry Kane.

Blessed with brilliant vision, passing ability, positioning and tackling skills, Dele Alli is one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League. Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs even called him the perfect number 10 player:

“I think Dele Alli is a brilliant young player. I really like him, he’s the perfect No.10. He’s always available and plays in them little pockets. He’s always a threat,” Giggs said, in his role as a pundit for ITV Sport.

The talented youngster has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Tottenham superstar. For his consistent and eye catching performances, Tottenham’s Dele Alli has been ranked number 1 in Sportskeeda’s 10 best U-23 midfielders in world football.