A football team’s central midfielders (CM), who skilfully bridge the gap between attack and defence, are its lifeblood. They are the all-around players who can play both sides of the ball, providing defensive cover and being essential in establishing attacking plays.
Central midfielders are responsible for linking up play while the ball is at their feet. They frequently give the ball to the more skilled attackers to initiate risky movements. They can play anywhere in the midfield and are typically dynamic, all-around players.
This article emphasises the significance of central midfielders on the field and provides a clearer understanding of their vital role. A comprehensive view of the top CMs in 2024 is provided by the ranking, which is based on their performances from the previous season and the current campaign.
How Does a Great Central Midfielder Get Started?
A team’s offensive drive and defensive core are crucially connected by central midfielders. After regaining possession from the defence, they lead the attack and strengthen the team’s structure since they are positioned to receive and distribute the ball consistently.
Their primary duties include setting the game’s pace, planning attacks and defences, maintaining possession, making accurate passes, reading the game off the ball, and assisting with both offensive and defensive strategies.
These players are essential on the field because they can be used in a variety of ways, such as holding players, box-to-box midfielders, or deep-lying playmakers.
10. The Bayer Leverkusen Granint
The once-ferocious Premier League player has developed into Bayer Leverkusen’s midfield powerhouse under Xabi Alonso’s tutelage. Xhaka continuously produced excellent performances, which were essential to their Bundesliga title-winning campaign and DFB-Pokal success.
Additionally, Bukayo Saka’s late equaliser and the subsequent penalty shootout prevented him from leading Switzerland to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. A great monument to his comeback, Xhaka’s incredible season earned him a nomination for the Ballon d’Or.
9. Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Before joining city rivals Inter Milan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu was a vital member of AC Milan and a dead-ball specialist. The Turkish international made an immediate impression at Inter and became one of Serie A’s most impressive players in the 2021–2022 campaign.
He started off in an advanced midfield position before Simone Inzaghi moved him into a deeper position. Çalhanoğlu is still a goal threat and one of Europe’s most adaptable midfielders despite the positional move.
8. Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella
A formidable opponent, Nicolo Barella is particularly effective when he plays on the right half-space. Under Antonio Conte, the dynamic Italian gained notoriety when Inter Milan ended Juventus’ ten-year hegemony in Serie A.
Barella is a key member of Inter’s midfield and will continue to be so for years to come because to his perseverance and ability to take charge of games.
7. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai has one of the top ball-striking skills in the world and a knack for creating memorable moments. However, the Hungarian playmaker is more than just his impressive highlights.
Szoboszlai has the technical know-how and vision to break through defences, combining style with a competitive advantage. His stellar career assist totals highlight his enormous potential as a top-tier midfield player.
6. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández
There is no denying Enzo Fernández’s talent. At Benfica and during Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign, the Argentinean displayed his enormous potential.
He is currently among the priciest midfield players in history, and as he continues to adjust to the Premier League, his reputation will only increase.
Bruno Guimarães, who plays for Newcastle United
One of Newcastle’s greatest acquisitions in recent years has been Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian has made a name for himself as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the game since signing from Lyon in 2022 for £40 million.
In addition to his exceptional creativity and passing, Guimarães is a dedicated defender who plays a crucial role in Newcastle’s strategy both on and off the ball.
4. Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister was a brilliant box-to-box midfielder for Brighton & Hove Albion, but he has become more reserved since joining Liverpool.
The Argentine World Cup winner has performed well and shown his versatility even though he has played deeper. Although Mac Allister may advance in his career at Anfield, his skill as a deeper playmaker is obvious to everyone.
Gündoğan, Ilkay (Manchester City)
Ilkay Gündoğan led Manchester City to a treble in 2022–2023, making his season there nothing short of remarkable.
In spite of the club’s financial difficulties, the German midfielder made an instant impression when he joined Barcelona in the summer, contributing five goals and fourteen assists. Gündoğan is one of the best midfielders in the world because of his leadership, deft passing, and ability to score crucial goals.
2. Barcelona’s Pedri
Many people consider Pedri to be among the top centre midfield players in the world of football because of his superb dribbling and playmaking skills.
His exceptional endurance, composure under duress, and equal accuracy with both feet are what distinguish him in addition to his technical prowess. His distinct function on the game is sometimes characterised as that of a mezzala, a phrase commonly used in Italian football media to describe a midfielder who excels at connecting play between the lines. He is comparable to certain renowned midfielders.
1. Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde
One of Real Madrid’s most important players is Federico Valverde. Valverde is frequently switched between positions, but his intelligence, work ethic, and ability to hold onto possession make him a vital member of Los Blancos.
The Uruguayan international, who is adaptable, dependable, and a relentless worker, is the epitome of a modern centre midfielder. His outstanding vision and poise under duress were demonstrated when he assisted Vinicius Jr. in scoring the game-winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final.
xz
