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There are many players who can be determinants in the results of football games, and the midfielders are without a doubt an essential part for the success of their teams.
In Europe, there are a lot of midfielders capable to lead a world-class team, but only a few of them are really difference makers on the field.
A complete midfielder is not only a player who can score, but also make an impact defensively and controls the game when their team is in a hurry.
Those players who are mentally tough can dominate all aspects of the game, although, a midfield can control the result of the game if they create chances for teammates, complete accurate long passes and provides serenity to the squad.
In the World Cup history, any country has lifted the trophy without the help of the midfielders. Some can be good, others can be extremely outstanding, but the midfielder position is undoubtedly an essential part of any team.
Here is a list of 5 midfielders to watch out for in Russia 2018:
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
When in doubt, give the ball to Kevin de Bruyne, he makes everything looks easy when he is playing.
The 26-year-old Belgian always knows which is the correct space to make a pass and find the forwards, but in many cases a goalscorer too.
The Belgian scored 12 goals with Manchester City across all completions this season and led the English Premier Leagues in assists (16), through balls (41), and crosses (248).
He finished the season with 83% passing accuracy, delivering 69% forward passes and 2,399 completed passes, according to Squawka.
He is a phenomenal playmaker and ended the 2017/18 Premier League season with 104 total chances created.
He is ready now to lead his national team to their first ever World Cup trophy and this must be the year the "Red Devils" reach the peak of the world.
In the 2014 tournament, a young Belgian team arrived at the Quarter-finals run and failed 1-0 to Argentina.
De Bruyne is aware of his responsibility with Belgium and shouldn't let this chance go out.
He has 14 goals in 62 international caps.
Avg. Pass length: 18 meters.
#2 Luka Modric (Croatia)
The definition of a midfielder must carry Luka Modric as an example; he is an incredible player and deserves all the credits he gets.
The Real Madrid midfielder is definitely a player any coach desires to have on the roster for his brilliant vision of the game.
Modric can create space for others, make long distant passes, and pass through while his aggressiveness on the defensive side makes him even more valuable.
Modric understands his role; he can shift from being a defensive midfielder to a playmaker in the same game at any time. That is why he has been successful in every team he has played. His remarkable vision of the game makes Modric one of the greatest players on the planet and he is absolutely a top-3 midfielder.
For Modric, scoring is not important, he can help in other ways as long as his team keeps winning. He scored two goals in this recently ended season with Madrid and won his third consecutive UEFA Champions League trophy.
Modric promises Croatia will advance to the knockout stage in Russia for the first time since 1998. That is the ultimate challenge for him, winning a title representing his country.
Modric created 32 chances while averaging 90% when it comes to pass accuracy with Real Madrid this season.
Avg. Pass length:17m.
#3 Andres Iniesta (Spain)
This year also marks Andres Iniesta's farewell from the World Cup after competing in four editions and achieving one trophy.
The 34-year-old Spaniard led his country to their first World Cup title in 2010 after scoring a goal in the 116th minute to beat Netherlands 1-0 in the final. Now he aims to lift the World Cup trophy one more time before his international retirement.
After Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez retirement, Iniesta has been mainly the mentor for Spain's new generation of midfielders.
Iniesta really excels at passing as he always finds a way to deliver the ball for an open teammate. He has played as a deep midfielder, central midfielder, and behind the attackers and he has regularly done a great job.
This season he said goodbye to Barcelona, his beloved club, and finished the season with 88% averaged pass accuracy, 62% duels won, and 16 total chances created.
Avg. Pass length: 16m.
#4 Toni Kroos (Germany)
Toni Kroos is one of the 15 players from Real Madrid who will feature in Russia.
Kroos is one of those midfielders who will amaze anyone as the world of football knows him for his unique technique and dynamism. Indeed, he is the architect of the game for Real Madrid and for the German national team too.
Kroos plays mostly as a central midfielder, and his vision is exemplified by the long-range passes that normally lands exactly at the foot of his teammates. The German retains the balls and creates spaces for teammates, so his presence on the pitch is indispensable.
Kroos' passing accuracy was 95% this season in Spain, including 56 chances created and 10 assists.
Avg. Pass length:18m.
#5 Jesse Lingard (England)
Yes, surprise. Jesse Lingard is the youngest on this list as well as the only who plays as a pure attacking midfielder.
Many players are more talented than this 25-year-old boy, but Lingard’s explosiveness makes him an interesting midfielder to follow in the World Cup.
Lingard made the final 23-man English squad and will have his first experience in a World Cup.
Moreover, his season at Manchester United proved he deserves the spot in the starting lineup. Lingard scored 13 goals this season with the Red Devils and also delivered seven assists in all competitions.
The youngster is quite a passer too, averaging 87% pass accuracy and 26 chances created in his sixth season in the English Premier League.
Lingard earned the respect of coach José Mourinho and the England coach Gareth Southgate had no doubts about putting him on the plane to Russia.
The Englishman is a rising star we need to keep an eye out for in Russia.
Avg. Pass length: 13m.
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