The top-5 defensive midfielders in the Premier League

As the brand new Premier League season continues to inch ever nearer to getting underway, we at 101 have kicked into gear a brand new collection, which takes a have a look at the best the English top-flight has to supply, in every place throughout the pitch.

On this piece, we delve into the most effective of the most effective defensive midfielders, whittling the competitors right down to a closing 5.

Try our picks beneath.

Fabinho

First up comes an undisputed inclusion on our shortlist of deep-lying Premier League midfielders, within the type of Fabinho.

Since making the transfer to Liverpool in the summertime of 2018, Brazilian worldwide Fabinho has gone about establishing himself as a fully integral member of the Reds’ ranks.

The 28-year-old is broadly understood to be one of many first names on the teamsheet of boss Jurgen Klopp, along with his significance to the trigger at Anfield laid naked each time Fabinho is unavailable for choice.

Boasting each technical brilliance and a close to unmatched capacity to learn the sport, Fabinho is, with out query, certainly one of world soccer’s perfect in his position.

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 06: Luka Modric competes for the ball with Fabinho Tavares through the UEFA Champions League Quarter Remaining match between Actual Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 06, 2021 in Madrid, Spain (Photograph by Diego Souto/High quality Sport Photographs/Getty Photographs)

N’Golo Kante

Subsequent up comes a participant who was maybe not at his greatest this previous season.

The very fact stays, although, that Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, on his day, stays primarily unplayable.

The 31-year-old, like Fabinho above, has tasted glory each domestically and on the European stage while on the books of his present employers, along with his significance to the Blues’ trigger completely unquestionable.

Kante has in some facets redefined what it means to be a ‘defensive midfielder’, along with his capacity to patrol the size of the pitch while concurrently offering safety to the defenders behind him a sight to behold.

Jorginho’s addition to Chelaea’s ranks signifies that the ex-Leicester Metropolis star is now usually utilised extra as an ‘8’ than a conventional ‘6’, however the reality stays that, when all is alleged and performed, Kante will likely be remembered within the eyes of most as one of many best defensive midfielders to ever do it.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 06: N’Golo Kante through the UEFA Champions League Quarter Remaining Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Actual Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 6, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photograph by Marc Atkins/Getty Photographs)

Declan Rice

The primary and sole Englishman on our listing of the Premier League’s greatest holding midfield stars comes within the type of Declan Rice.

Regardless of not plying his commerce for one of many division’s conventional high golf equipment, Rice has gone about proving time and time once more over the course of the final couple of seasons that he’s greater than able to holding his personal in opposition to the easiest English soccer has to supply.

What makes the 23-year-old so particular is his capacity to thrive not solely on the defensive facet of the ball – breaking apart assaults at their supply with athleticism, studying of the sport and noteworthy stamina ranges – however too his capabilities when in possession.

As soon as considered as little greater than a defensive defend, Rice has added to his sport in super trend during the last two years specifically, now greater than snug spraying passes the size of the pitch, or breaking the strains of midfield courtesy of driving runs.

A transfer to one of many Premier League’s elite undoubtedly awaits, however for now, West Ham proceed to reap the advantages of one of many nation’s true standout skills.

Declan Rice celebrates scoring his staff’s second aim through the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg soccer match between Olympique Lyonnais and West Ham United on the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu on April 14, 2022 (Photograph by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP through Getty Photographs)

Thomas Partey

Our subsequent inclusion might give rise to some type of debate, owing to questions over his precise place on the pitch.

Many would little doubt argue that Thomas Partey operates greatest as a box-to-box midfield presence, a job which permits him to utilize an all-round sport that includes elite press resistance and line-breaking skills.

Since making the transfer to Arsenal, although, the Ghanaian has, for essentially the most half, operated in a two-man pivot alongside Granit Xhaka, along with his knack for shutting down opposition assaults at key moments remaining integral in Mikel Arteta’s setup.

It got here as no shock to see the Gunners’ top-4 push primarily go up in smoke within the rapid aftermath of Partey’s newest damage blow this previous season, a testomony to the 29-year-old’s ever-increasing significance in north London.

Ought to Arsenal kick on to safe a return to the Champions League subsequent day out, their midfield enforcer will little doubt show central as to why.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Thomas Partey celebrates after scoring his facet’s first aim through the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester Metropolis at Emirates Stadium on March 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photograph by Catherine Ivill/Getty Photographs)

Rodri

The Premier League’s greatest defensive midfield presence? Primarily based on final season’s proof, it will be arduous to argue in any other case.

Since swapping Madrid for Manchester three years in the past, Spanish worldwide Rodri has gone from energy to energy, now firmly within the dialog for the title of world soccer’s standout deep-lying engine room star.

The affect of Pep Guardiola has unquestionably confirmed key to such progress, with these of a Residents fearful that Fernandinho was irreplaceable having seen such issues put firmly to relaxation.

Tenacity, ball successful, composure, passing each brief and lengthy vary, a thunderous strike and the power to manage the tempo of a match from deep, Rodri possesses each trait required to excel within the holding midfield position, in absolute abundance.

Not solely that, however having simply turned 26, the most effective is probably going but to come back…

Manchester United’s Fred (left) and Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri (proper) battle for the ball throughout a Premier League match at Previous Trafford, Manchester. Image date: Saturday November 6, 2021. (Photograph by Martin Rickett/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs)

Honourable mentions: Wilfred Ndidi, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ruben Neves

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