Top 10 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League​: Who is top 1?

The defensive midfielder position has long been considered quiet, sometimes considered “ugly”, because it contributes to the decline of the number 10 position, which belongs to the players who play flamboyantly and elegantly. However, with the development of football tactics, the role of the defensive midfielder is becoming more and more important in the operation of the team’s playing style. In the Premier League this season, there are many players who shine in this position. Recently, Kingsoccertips announced the list of the top 10 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League this season.

Top 10 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League

10. Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa has gone through a season full of ups and downs, with many fluctuations and a change of coach in the middle of the season. However, one of the most stable and important factors of the Birmingham team is defensive midfielder Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian has been a solid anchor in midfield, often featuring alongside the more attacking-minded John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey.

Douglas Luiz has been impressive this season, making 57 tackles and 33 interceptions. The former Man City man has clearly been a big part of Aston Villa’s Premier League campaign, playing a key role in the team’s style of play.

9. Ruben Neves (Wolves)

Ruben Neves has not been ranked as highly as his talent would have been, despite an impressive career that has included captaining Porto and playing in the Champions League. This is largely due to the Wolves having endured a strange season, with the team facing a number of challenges and difficulties. Although Neves has maintained a consistent individual form, throughout the season the team has relied more on goalkeeper José Sá than ever to save dangerous situations and save the team from unnecessary goals. This has made Neves’ influence on the pitch less appreciated than before.

However, Ruben Neves has still proven his talent, especially in handling the ball. He continues to assert his important role in the midfield area, especially with his sharp passing ability. No defensive midfielder in the Premier League has more through balls than Neves, with a total of 14 successful through balls. This shows that he is not only capable of defending but also creating important attacking opportunities for the team. In addition, only N’Golo Kanté completed more passes than Neves, an impressive stat that shows the Portuguese’s creativity and ability to dictate the game.

8. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)

Best defensive midfielders in the Premier League​ Wilfred Ndidi has had a difficult season, with his form affected by both unconvincing performances from his teammates and a long-term injury. The Nigerian has only played 1,619 minutes this season, a figure that is significantly lower than in previous seasons. This has put Leicester City at a huge disadvantage, with Ndidi, one of the top defensive midfielders, unable to contribute to his full potential.

However, despite only being on the pitch for a short time, Ndidi has proven to be an important factor, with 60 tackles, the second most of any defensive midfielder in the Premier League. He also made 42 interceptions, an impressive tally that puts him among the top defensive players in the league. Ndidi’s strength lies not only in his defensive ability but also in the impact he can have when fit. Leicester City will need to keep the No. 25 in good shape if they are to make a quick return to European competition in the future.

7. Tomas Soucek (West Ham)

Declan Rice has been rightly praised this season for his impressive transformation from a defensive midfielder to a box-to-box midfielder. This evolution has been the result of not only his individual ability but also the tactical changes of the team, especially the sacrifice of Tomas Soucek. The Czech has abandoned his attacking instincts and dropped deep into a deep-lying role, helping to keep West Ham’s midfield stable.

Soucek’s move into this role has freed up Rice to get involved in attacking play, playing the role of a box-to-box midfielder. The combination has worked wonders for West Ham, making them a dynamic and exciting team to watch. Rice has not only shown his ability to control and dictate play, but has also shown his ability to provide attacking support, making the Hammers a promising Premier League side.

6. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)

Thomas Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference against Watford: “Kante is our Mo Salah, our Van Dijk, our De Bruyne, our Neymar and our Kylian Mbappe.” That alone is enough to show how important the French midfielder is to Chelsea.

The German coach’s words may be a bit exaggerated, but if you take the time to watch a Chelsea with a healthy Kante and a Chelsea without the best version of Kante, you will understand how accurate Tuchel’s words are.

In fact, Kante has missed a large part of this season due to health problems, however, whenever he is healthy, Kante has always been very impressive. A typical example is Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham this season, when the French midfielder only needed 45 minutes to score 1 goal, 2 tackles and received a score of 8.0.

5. Thomas Partey (Arsenal)

The 40 million Euro contract that brought Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal was considered by many to be no different from a “robbery” by the Gunners. The Ghanaian international is too good and is a deal that “scratches the right itch” for Arsenal, which is defensive midfielder. In the Premier League this season, Partey has had the most ball recoveries (153), the most tackles (43) and the most successful dribbles (35).

It is easy to see that Arsenal’s most successful period this season is also the time when Thomas Partey is at his best. Unfortunately for the Gunners, the Ghana international has been injured at a crucial time, leaving Arsenal without a say in their Champions League qualification race.

4. Christian Norgaard (Brentford)

Christian Norgaard has become a key player for Brentford in midfield and is one of the most powerful and aggressive defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Part of the reason Christian Eriksen is able to create and coordinate attacks is thanks to the great solidity that Norgaard brings at the back, protecting the defence with a consistent performance.

This season, Norgaard has shown excellent defensive ability with 109 tackles, more than any other defensive midfielder in the Premier League, showing that he is a solid wall in the middle of the pitch. In addition, he has also made 64 interceptions, second only to Josh Brownhill in the defensive midfielder rankings. The combination of his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and help defend has made Norgaard an indispensable part of the Brentford squad.

3. Pierre Emile Hojbjerg (Spurs)

One of the hallmarks of Antonio Conte’s philosophy is his need for a hard-working, hard-working midfielder with solid defensive capabilities. When he arrived at Tottenham Hotspur, the Italian found this quality in Danish international Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Højbjerg has not only been a key part of Conte’s tactical system, but has also played a key role in the strategies of previous Tottenham managers such as Mourinho and Nuno Espírito Santo. He is capable of dropping deep to protect a back three, as well as pushing forward and joining in pressing when the team needs to impose themselves. Alongside his strong defensive abilities, Højbjerg’s passing skills are also impressive, helping him link up play and dictate the tempo of the game, adding to the effectiveness of Spurs’ midfield.

2. Fabinho (Liverpool)

Coach Jurgen Klopp once called Fabinho “a beacon of organised chaos” for Liverpool. That proves the important role of the Brazilian midfielder in the system that Klopp applied to The Reds. Since moving to Anfield in 2018, coach Jurgen Klopp has rotated Liverpool’s 3 midfield positions a lot, all of whom have played well or better, but only Fabinho is the one who can give Klopp absolute trust in the defensive midfield position.

Fabinho is exactly the anchor of Liverpool. While the other teammates attack from the front line. The 28-year-old player joins Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip (or Ibrahim Konate) to protect Alisson’s net. Without Fabinho, Liverpool are easily vulnerable to the opponent’s quick counter-attacking passes. Fabinho is the one who cuts and neutralizes the dangers from them. It’s easy to see why Reds fans were so worried when the Brazilian was injured and ruled out of the FA Cup final.

1. Rodri (Manchester City)

Best defensive midfielders in the Premier League​ Rodri is a sweeper who plays a key role in Manchester City’s defensive work. The Spaniard made an impressive 70 tackles, but what’s even more remarkable is his 80 aerial duels. That’s almost double the number of Fabinho, the defensive midfielder behind him, who only managed 44. This shows how important Rodri is both in defending and controlling the game.

Rodri’s excellent vision is a key factor in City’s build-up play. Not only does he make exquisite passes, but he is also capable of launching powerful shots or headers, bringing about breakthroughs in attacking situations, especially in matches where The Citizens are struggling. These contributions have helped Rodri become an indispensable part of the tactical structure of the Etihad team.

Conclusion

On the defensive front, no defensive midfielder has won possession in the final third as often as Rodri with 29, while Rodri also tops the list of times he has won the ball back in the midfield with 162. These numbers are enough to put the former Atletico Madrid midfielder at the top of this list of best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Thank you for reading our article!

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