Defensive midfielder is one of the most important positions on the pitch, it’s also one of the more confusing.
After all, what is a defensive midfielder? Literally it’s obviously just the most defensive of the midfielders on the pitch, but for the longest time that became synonymous with the deepest-lying midfielder. The one at the base of midfield tasked with sweeping up after others.
The thing is, history is littered with those who played deeper but were anything like the most defensive midfielder. In modern times Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets have shown that sometimes the deepest-lying midfielder can often be the most creative in a side.
Most recently, Jorginho has arrived in the Premier League and he’s a passing maniac whose defensive instincts aren’t the sharpest yet he is very definitely the deepest midfielder in the Chelsea midfield. So a new definition is needed, or perhaps an old one.
We’ve had a look and made a list of the Premier League’s 10 best defensive midfielders this season, and by defensive midfielders we literally mean the most defensive midfielder on the pitch; the one most responsible for the defensive organisation of the midfield (which excludes hybrid midfielder-defenders like Eric Dier).
10. Luka Milivojevic
Crystal Palace, 27 years-old
Milivojevic is rock solid; his ability to hold midfield with a rugged consistency allows Palace’s more extravagant talents to thrive. There’s no one area in which Milivojevic excels because he is can function across the board, whatever kind of defender they need him to be.
Defensive stat-line: 85 tackles won; 71 interceptions; 74 clearances; 12 blocks; 274 recoveries
9. Dale Stephens
Brighton & Hove Albion, 29 years-old
Brighton’s surprise quality and performance last season owes a lot to the combative nature of Dale Stephens’ play as he holds midfield. The Englishman has been with the Seagulls for four years and his tackling is an invaluable tone-setter.
Defensive stat-line: 104 tackles won; 63 interceptions; 67 clearances; 15 blocks; 293 recoveries
8. Nemanja Matic
Manchester United, 30 years-old
José Mourinho really wanted Nemanja Matic at Manchester United, and from a purely defensive standpoint you can see why. The Serb is superb at recovering the ball and screening his defence. Less impressive is his passing which is often slow and ponderous.
Defensive stat-line: 70 tackles won; 64 interceptions; 56 clearances; 12 blocks; 317 recoveries
7. Abdoulaye Doucouré
Watford, 25 years-old
Doucouré plays in a very attacking Watford midfield, but he is ostensibly their most defensive midfielder. He can win the ball back in any number of ways (no one on this list has more recoveries) in any number of places on the field thanks to his tactical intelligence.
Defensive stat-line: 79 tackles won; 54 interceptions; 55 clearances; 9 blocks; 345 recoveries
6. Lucas Torreira
Arsenal, 22 years-old
Arsenal’s fierce little Uruguayan will surely become one of the best defensive midfielders in the division once fully acclimated, but until then all we can go on are his displays in Serie A where his ability to regain possession is incredible. Tackles, interceptions, blocks… he’ll get the ball back for you in a hurry.
Defensive stat-line: 101 tackles won; 72 interceptions; 31 clearances; 17 blocks
5. Idrissa Gueye
Everton, 28 years-old
Idrissa Gueye isn’t as well-renowned as some defensive midfielders but in terms of pure effectiveness he’s one of the best. He doesn’t command much attention but he gets on with the business of defending. Previously Everton haven’t been able to build on this and he has been subject to endless waves of pressure, but now they have a functioning attack the true quality of Gueye may become clear.
Defensive stat-line: 117 tackles won; 62 interceptions; 42 clearances; 9 blocks; 287 recoveries
4. Fabinho
Liverpool, 24 years-old
Fabinho has yet to truly find his niche with Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp continues to reject the idea of playing with a true holding midfielder, but Fabinho’s defensive skill cannot be questioned. The midfield lynchpin of Monaco’s incredible Ligue 1 triumph in 2017, the world’s most expensive defensive midfielder just oozes quality.
Defensive stat-line: 114 tackles won; 43 interceptions; 58 clearances; 13 blocks
3. Wilfred Ndidi
Leicester, 21 years-old
When Leicester lost N’Golo Kanté from their midfield one would have been forgiven for assuming doom for the Foxes, but instead they signed Wilfred Ndidi and haven’t missed too much really. Ndidi isn’t quite as dominant at Kanté as winning the ball high, but he is a phenomenal tackler and excels at clearing the ball too. A titan.
Defensive stat-line: 138 tackles won; 51 interceptions; 95 clearances; 10 blocks; 296 recoveries
2. Fernandinho
Manchester City, 33 years-old
Sometimes teams play a style of football where they defending with the ball. To that end, Manchester City’s title-winning defensive midfielder doesn’t have the gaudy numbers of others on here but is still a huge reason why City were able to win the league. Fernandinho’s skills with the ball at his feet are most important but one cannot overlook his defensive attributes either. A necessary presence.
Defensive stat-line: 62 tackles won; 47 interceptions; 65 clearances; 5 blocks; 207 recoveries
1. N’Golo Kanté
Chelsea, 27 years-old
He may no longer be playing at the base of midfield, but N’Golo Kanté will always be the man Chelsea look to when it comes to their midfield’s defending (even if Jorginho plays at the base and runs the show). Kanté is a Premier League legend, winning the title in two of his three seasons in England in large part thanks to his absurd tackle and interception ability as well as his use of pace as a defensive weapon that sees him recover the ball with frightening regularity.
Defensive stat-line: 113 tackles won; 85 interceptions; 26 clearances; 4 blocks; 312 recoveries
The post Ranked: the 10 best Premier League defensive midfielders this season appeared first on Squawka News.
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