Sportskeeda Football 2018 awards: 3 Best Midfielders

Midfielders are arguably the most important players on the pitch. These players run the game and are crucial in controlling its flow.

They not only serve as a link between the attack and defence but are completely involved in them as well. From breaking the counter-attacks to producing defence-splitting passes, midfielders have to do it all.

There are a lot of world-class players in this position and picking the best three was the toughest job anyone could have asked for. However, we have picked out the three best midfielders of the year and here they are:

#3 – N'Golo Kante

What a player he has become!

Easily the best defensive midfielder in the world right now, N'Golo Kante is #3 in our list. The Frenchman was playing in his favourite position for the majority of the year but switched to Right Central Midfielder ever since Maurizio Sarri took over at Chelsea.

However, Kante has not let it affect his performances and has been just brilliant. He has started to play more like a box-to-box midfielder and his attacking prowess has improved a lot. The midfielder was not someone who used to go forward a lot but Sarri has given him a lot of confidence and he has started scoring goals as well.

Kante has shown this year that not only is he brilliant in fulfilling his defensive duties, but can also play as and where the team requires him to. He has brought out the versatile side of his game that nobody ever thought he had.

He was crucial for France at the World Cup as a defensive midfielder and was easily the best in that role in that tournament. Along with Pogba, he was able to shut down the opponents in the heart of the pitch and make sure that they had no chance of breaking or counter-attacking.

For a player who is relatively new to the top flight football, he has done tremendously well and he is just growing as an all-around player.

#2 – Kevin de Bruyne

Leicester City v Manchester City - Premier League

And at number 2, Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian has not played a lot this season but he was just superb before his injury. The Manchester City man was vital in their record-breaking season and also Belgium's 3rd place finish at the World Cup.

He was on top of his game for the majority of the year and is easily the best attacking midfielder in the world right now. KdB's passing and vision are unmatched and he is miles ahead of everyone else in the game at the moment.

Pep Guardiola has taken the Belgian's game to another level and with inputs from Thierry Henry, when he was the assistant coach at Belgium, it has made him a monster in the midfield. He's back from injury now and is looking fit as ever – and a lot sharper as well!

#1 – Luka Modric

What a year 2018 has been for Luka Modric

And the best midfielder of 2018 is...Luka Modric! Without a shadow of a doubt, the Croat has been the most complete midfielder this year.

Adjudged as The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year and the UEFA Player of the Year, it was no surprise when Modric lifted the Ballon d'Or trophy as well early in December. He has bagged all the individual awards and to do that in an era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo speaks volumes.

When you look at the things he has done this year, it's hard to argue that he did not deserve the plaudits. He was a vital part of Real Madrid's Champions League winning campaign, and also Croatia's best player at the World Cup, where they finished runners-up.

From the 'worst signing of the season' to a Ballon d'Or winner – Luka Modric has come a long way at Real Madrid.