In brief
Rodri of Manchester City has been praised by Paul Scholes as the greatest defensive midfield player in Premier League history.
According to rankings, the Spaniard is the second-best defensive midfielder in the history of the division.
Claude Makelele, Roy Keane, and Patrick Vieira are some renowned defensive midfielders.
Many discussions over Man City’s midfield enforcer have been sparked by Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, who many believed was the clear favourite going into the awards presentation on Monday night (October 28), lost out to the 57-cap Spain international.
The choice to give Rodri the Ballon d’Or was strongly supported by Paul Scholes. He thinks the 28-year-old is a “beautiful footballer” and is a huge fan of the Player of the Tournament from Euro 2024. Additionally, he highlights how crucial a defensive midfielder is to Spain’s style of game.
Throughout his career, the Manchester United veteran played with a number of legendary defensive midfielders, but he believes Rodri is the greatest holding midfielder to have ever graced the Premier League. The former England international’s high praise sparks a discussion on whether Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in Premier League history. Taking into account their performance, longevity, Premier League history, and impact on their clubs, these are the top ten.
Paul Scholes: "Rodri is the best DM to ever play in the Premier League."
https://t.co/EYrxgAfVzF— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) October 30, 2024
10Gilberto Silva
Club: Arsenal
During his time at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, Gilberto Silva was a bit of an unsung hero, excelling as a versatile holding midfielder. In addition to his impressive presence due to his 6’1″ frame, the Brazilian was a skilled player who could spread the play and pick out his man.
His dominance in the middle of the pitch benefited the Gunners, and he played a key role in their 2004 Invincibles season. In 244 games across all competitions, he scored 24 goals and provided 14 assists, helping the North Londoners win the FA Cup twice and the Community Shield.
Gilberto Silva’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
170
Objectives
17
Helps
13.
Titles
One
9Michael Carrick
Clubs: Man United, West Ham, Tottenham
Michael Carrick was a special midfield player from England. His profile was more Spanish than anyone else’s, like Sergio Busquets’. He was neat with the ball, led United’s midfield with skill, and protected the defence with outstanding defensive skills.
Carrick performed admirably when Sir Alex Ferguson trusted him to anchor his midfield. One of the greatest English players in West Ham’s history, the former player won 18 major trophies at Old Trafford, including five Premier League crowns. It should come as no surprise that his excellent footballing IQ has caused him to make waves in the managing profession since his playing days.
Michael Carrick’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
481
Objectives
24
Helps
32
Titles
5.
8Paul Ince
Clubs: Man United, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Wolves
Paul Ince is a journeyman in the Premier League whose unwavering work ethic matched the demands of a defensive midfielder. He became an all-time great in English football thanks to his energy, tackling skills, and incredible engine, which allowed him to thrive at both United and Liverpool.
Sir Alex’s team won two Premier League titles thanks to Ince, the first-ever black captain of England, playing in the Red Devils’ midfield. He paved the way for a lot of the box-to-box defensive-minded players that are currently competing in the English Premier League.
Paul Ince’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
306
Objectives
42
Helps
28
Titles
2.
7Fernandinho
Club: Man City
One of the most stylish holding midfielders in Premier League history, Fernandinho was Rodri’s predecessor at Man City. The Brazilian, who captained the Cityzens in his last two years at the Etihad, combined a graceful style of play with the perseverance and fervour of a champion. Under Pep Guardiola, he was popular due to his versatility and game awareness.
In July 2013, Guardiola paid over £30 million to buy Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk, a Ukrainian team. The Selecao star was ideal for the Spanish system, which is the foundation of their continued hegemony over English football, therefore it was a wise choice. One of the greatest Brazilians in Premier League history, he won five titles before leaving in 2022.
Fernandinho’s career in the Premier League
Looks
264
Objectives
20
Helps
20
Titles
5.
6Xabi Alonso
Club: Liverpool
When Xabi Alonso joined Liverpool in 2004, he introduced a new defensive midfielder style that the Premier League had not yet adopted. With his amazing vision on the ball and superb passing, the Spaniard dominated English football and seldom missed a pass.
The in-demand Although he didn’t win the Premier League at Anfield, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen made an impression. Alonso starred for the Reds, helping them win the renowned 2006 FA Cup final and perform heroically during the Miracle of Istanbul. Under Rafa Benitez, he controlled the speed of the Merseysiders’ play and did everything with style.
The Premier League Career of Xabi Alonso
Looks
143
Objectives
14
Helps
17
Titles
0
5Claude Makelele
Club: Chelsea
The defensive midfield position is connected with Claude Makelele, who was a pioneer in midfield anchoring. Sitting in front of his defence and extinguishing flames, the Frenchman was the six’s shining star. His drive and perseverance provided Jose Mourinho with the means to turn Chelsea into one of the top defensive clubs in the Premier League.
The Makelele Role, which characterises a defensive midfielder and reflects his impact on the game and the role, will be well-known to fans. The Real Madrid great was instrumental at the beginning of the Roman Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge and won two Premier League championships with the Blues.
Claude Makelele’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
144
Objectives
2.
Helps
4.
Titles
2.
4N’Golo Kante
Clubs: Chelsea, Leicester City
N’Golo Kante is a nightmare to play against, despite being one of the most likeable players in Premier League history. Like a magnet, the Frenchman never gets tired and pursues the opposition to reclaim the ball. He was a huge hit at Chelsea and had the best game reading of any player.
Kante played for the west Londoners for seven years at Stamford Bridge. His contribution to Leicester’s incredible 2015–16 Premier League title victory had captured the interest of supporters throughout Europe. Sir Alex Ferguson praised the Al-Ittihad midfielder as the greatest player in the English Premier League that year, and in 2017 he added another winners’ medal to his glittering prize collection.
N’Golo Kante’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
227
Objectives
Twelve
Helps
17
Titles
2.
3Patrick Vieira
Clubs: Arsenal, Man City
In addition to being one of the most technically proficient midfield players of his period, Patrick Vieira’s aggressiveness intimidated the opposition. The legendary former Arsenal captain’s long stature matched his unwavering mentality, which allowed him to sprint around the pitch, recover the ball and assist his team in transition.
Among his many memorable moments, the Frenchman scored the game-winning goal during the Gunners’ Invincibiles season. ‘Exceptional’ was how Wenger once characterised the first signing of his reign. Vieira is one of the most formidable defensive midfielders in Premier League football.
Patrick Vieira’s career in the Premier League
Looks
307
Objectives
31
Helps
37
Titles
3.
2Rodri
Club: Man City
Rodri’s incredible ascent culminated in a Ballon d’Or victory that acknowledged the Man City player’s supremacy in defensive midfield. Guardiola emphasised that the Spaniard, who has been leading the Cityzens for a long time, is equally as important as their record-breaking star forward Erling Haaland.
Since Rodri has only lost once in his last 85 games for the squad and the nation, there is no question about his impact on his teams. In addition to his defensive prowess, he is also a highly creative player with a track record of success, having recorded an incredible nine goals and fourteen assists across all club competitions in the previous season. Madrid may whine all they want, but he deservedly won the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
174
Objectives
22
Helps
21
Titles
4.
1Roy Keane
Clubs: Man United, Nottingham Forest
The fiery Irishman’s Premier League legacy surpasses Rodri in the all-time ranking, despite Scholes, Roy Keane’s former teammate, disagreeing. The former Manchester United captain is among the first names that spring to mind when one thinks of the English top flight. He was the driving force behind Sir Alex’s raging Red Devils team, leading them to European glory.
It all depends on personal preference when evaluating the defensive midfield profile, and Keane’s aggressive yet astute play style embodied the characteristics of a massive midfield enforcer in the Premier League. As he occasionally bullied United to seven Premier League titles, his exuberant personality created some of the most memorable moments. When you saw the Premier League hardman in the tunnel, you knew you were going to have a difficult afternoon.
Roy Keane’s Career in the Premier League
Looks
366
Objectives
39
Helps
33
Titles
7.
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