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Football is blessed with some exceptional players at the moment. The standards of attack and creativity have well and truly being raised. However, in the midst of such splendor in the game, we often tend to forget the ones who control it in the real sense.
Yes! the holding midfield role, the most difficult and necessary job in the game. There is absolutely no need to underline the importance of this position on the field. The reason behind the success of attacks is the man licensing them to roam freely across the pitch.
Having said that, we take a look at the best holding midfield players of the 2017/18 season so far.
Note: All the stats have been derived from squawka.com
#5 Jorginho
Jorginho was familiar only to a few before the start of 2017/18 season. However, this season he has transformed himself into one of the best players in the engine room.
The 26-year-old is a sublime reader of the game. He boasts a passing accuracy of 89% in the Serie A. The Italian midfielder has the ability to bypass the opposing defences through his accurate balls from over the top.
From the heart of the midfield, he has provided four assists while netting four times himself. His recent form has seen him being linked to some of the big clubs for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The player's agent has publicly admitted that his client's future could be up in the air this summer.
#4 Casemiro
Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in La Liga, Casemiro has never been disappointing with his performances.
The Brazilian midfielder has been vital to Real's consecutive Champions League titles and also scored in the 2017 UCL final against Juventus. His quality on the ball is remarkable and unmatched. The 26-year-old boasts a passing accuracy of 88% in the league and has an aerial duel winning rate of 51%.
While sitting deep in the midfield, the player has scored five and created three for his team in all competitions, this season. His consistency has been key for Madrid in 2018.
The midfielder's form would prove crucial for the Los Blancos in their pursuit of a third consecutive Champions League title.
#3 Nemanja Matic
The fact that Manchester United paid £40 million for a 29-year-old, Nemanja Matic underlines the importance of the player. United currently boast the best defensive record in the league and Matic has been a key to the same.
The Red Devils needed a replacement for Michael Carrick instantly in 2017 and Matic took the job and has not let his boss down.
The Serbian's physicality and composure on the ball make him a vital player in the team. The player has an average pass length of 18 metres and aerial duels winning rate of 50% approximately in the league this season.
Matic in his first season with Red Devils has been a consistent performer. He has already made 36 appearances for the club this season, proving his worth as a fit and available man.
His brilliant hold-up of the ball adds to his importance in Jose Mourinho's team. In Matic, United have a player they can depend on heavily.
#2 N'Golo Kanté
The void created by Claude Makélélé in Chelsea's midfield was intact at the Stamford Bridge until Kante arrived in 2016. The Frenchman is regarded to be the best central midfielder in the Premier League.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has managed to get the best out of the player. Kante was named as the PFA Player of the Year in 2017 for his performances in Chelsea's title-winning 2016/17 season.
Since joining the Blues from Leicester City, the player has become one of the first names on the team sheet for Conte. Kante has a passing accuracy of 89% and takes three defensive actions per game this season.
His form has not taken a hit despite Chelsea's woeful season this time around. The player was at his best against FC Barcelona recently, where he managed to shut Barca's creativity altogether.
#1 Sergio Busquets
Barcelona's midfield maestro, Sergio Busquets is arguably the best holding midfielder in the business at the moment.
Barcelona has always been studded with the geniuses of the game like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta who have always eclipsed the performances of the 29-year-old. The Spaniard's abilities absolutely no prologues.
In his span with Barca, the player has won everything one could ask for at club level. Busquets even at the age of 29 appears to be as agile as in his youth days.
This season he boasts a passing accuracy of 89% in Spain. While the player was accused of being rusty in 2016/17 season, he has glittered with his performances this term.
His physicality earns him crucial points as he has managed to win 55% aerial duels so far this season. The Spaniard is set to feature for at least next five years at the Nou Camp.
