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The Premier League is widely regarded as the most exciting league in the world. This is due to its global appeal and financial prosperity placing it shoulders above its peers in terms of glamor.
It therefore comes as no surprise that some of the best midfielders in the world ply their trade in the Premier League. It offers the best platform for their abilities to be showcased to the widest reach.
The midfield serves as the engine room for any football team and it is for this reason that major emphasis is placed on strengthening this position.
One of the most rampant cliches in football is that 'the game is won or lost in midfield' and while this saying should not be taken at face value, a holistic look at the midfield's importance stresses this point.
Midfielders often act as the go-to between defense and attack. They initiate attacks while in transition and also act as a shield for the backline when out of possession.
With another exciting season of Premier League football upon us, here is a look at the
Top 5 midfielders to keep an eye on in the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Honorable mentions: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Emile Buendia (Aston Villa), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham)
#5 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
N'Golo Kante made a case to be considered the most effective player in the world between 2015 and 2018. His displays in this period helped his teams succeed at both club and international level.
Injuries and managerial upheavals have seen the Frenchman's output reduced over the last few seasons, but Thomas Tuchel has helped Kante rediscover his best touch.
The 30-year-old was omnipresent as Chelsea won a second UEFA Champions League crown in 2021 but he did not have the best of outings at the European Championship.
N'Golo Kante was back to his effervescent best in the final of the UEFA Super Cup and will be raring to go in his quest to win a third Premier League winner's medal.
#4 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Wilfred Ndidi is one of the most criminally underrated players in the Premier League.
The Nigeria international was signed from Genk as N'Golo Kante's replacement and has since gone on to cement his reputation at both club and international level.
The 24-year-old is arguably among the standout holding midfielders in the Premier League. He regularly ranks highly in the metrics used to judge players in his position.
His excellent positional awareness helps him intercept opposition attacks flawlessly, while his imposing physicality is instrumental in his role in shielding the defense.
Wilfred Ndidi's importance to Leicester City's recent rejuvenation is evident in the fact that the club usually struggle horribly in his absence.
With the Foxes having missed out on a Premier League top-four finish in harrowing circumstances for the second consecutive season, Wilfred Ndidi will be one of the players they will be banking on to help them rectify this.
#3 Kai Havertz (Chelsea)
Kai Havertz completed a mega move to Premier League's Chelsea in the summer of 2020, with the deal announced for a reported club-record fee of £75.8m.
He made a name for himself with his exploits at Bayer Leverkusen and this saw him emerge as a major target for several top European clubs.
The Germany international had a mixed debut season at Stamford Bridge, initially struggling to find his feet before ending the season on a high.
Havertz's poor start to the campaign saw him drop out of the starting XI, while a bout with COVID-19 also hampered his adaptation to his new club.
Despite this, the 22-year-old still showed glimpses of his quality and he scored the game-winning goal in the final of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester City.
Kai Havertz followed that up with a commendable display at the European Championship and was one of the few German players to cover themselves in glory at Euro 2020.
With the excuse of his first season adapting out of the way, all attention will be focused on whether Kai Havertz will step up to the level expected of him. The versatile star can also play as a forward when required, making him all the more crucial.
While his ability to step up is not in doubt, it remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old will be able to up the ante in the Premier League this season.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne has been the standout midfielder, by far, in the Premier League over the last five seasons and recently became only the third man to successfully retain the PFA Player of the Year award.
However, the 30-year-old will be the first to tell you that he did not maintain his usual high standards last term, with fitness issues limiting him to just 23 Premier League starts.
Kevin De Bruyne recovered in time to star for Belgium at Euro 2020 but was powerless to stop his nation's underwhelming campaign despite his valiant efforts.
The former Chelsea man will be looking to put the summer's disappointment behind him as he seeks to get back to doing what he does best - controlling the tempo of Premier League matches at will.
#1 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes was the standard-bearer for Premier League midfielders last term and was a more deserving winner of the PFA Player of the Year than his City rival.
The 26-year-old starred with 18 goals and 11 assists in 37 Premier League matches and was a delight to fantasy managers around the globe.
Manchester United have strengthened considerably in the current transfer window and are expected to mount a title push in the Premier League this season.
Whether the Red Devils will be able to achieve this could be down to their number 18 replicating his stellar displays over the last two years.
Also See: Seven European clubs to win a treble
