10 Best Midfielders in World Football Right Now
There are players who play a game, while there are others who boss the game, and it's usually midfielders who have a huge say in how a game turns out. They're the link between a team's defence and the forward line, and specialised midfielders are in demand across the world.
According to stats from WhoScored, here's a list of the top 10 goalkeepers in the world right now.
10. Toni Kroos
2020/21 Season Stats:
24 appearances
3 goals
10 assists
93.6% pass success
1.5 tackles per game
Kroos' deeper role allows him to influence the game from the initial get-go, and his pin-point passing makes him a crucial element in any team.
9. Marco Verratti
2020/21 Season Stats:
16 appearances
0 goals
2 assists
91.7% pass success
2.5 tackles per game
Verratti is usually one of the first names on a star-studded PSG team sheet and was a key part of Roberto Mancini’s side’s Euro 2021 triumph and 34-match unbeaten run.
8. Paul Pogba
2020/21 Season Stats:
21 appearances
3 goals
3 assists
83% pass success
1.4 tackles per game
This season could be Pogba's last in the Premier League, and the Frenchman has got of to an explosive start this term, and has, at times, looked better than Bruno Fernandes.
7. Sergio Busquets
2020/21 Season Stats:
32 appearances
0 goals
5 assists
91.3% pass success
1.8 tackles per game
Busquests' invaluable reading of the game makes him an irreplacable member of Ronald Koeman's Barca squad, and was instrumental in Spain's Euro 2020 run.
6. Frenkie de Jong
2020/21 Season Stats:
35 appearances
3 goals
4 assists
91.9% pass success
1.2 tackles per game
The Dutchman has grown into his new role at Barcelona and cemented his position as one of the best central midfielders on the planet.
5. Leon Goretzka
2020/21 Season Stats:
18 appearances
5 goals
5 assists
87.7% pass success
1.0 tackles per game
Manchester City, Liverpool, and Barcelona were all keen on signing Goretzka this summer, but he signed a new long-term contract with Bayern Munich until 2026.
4. Bruno Fernandes
2020/21 Season Stats:
35 appearances
18 goals
12 assists
78.3% pass success
1.5 tackles per game
40 goals and 26 assists in his first 80 games for Manchester United makes Bruno Fernandes stand out as one of the best additions to the Premier League of late.
3. Joshua Kimmich
2020/21 Season Stats:
25 appearances
4 goals
10 assists
86.3% pass success
1.5 tackles per game
Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka are the heart of the Bayern team that won its ninth consecutive Bundesliga title in 2020/21.
2. N’Golo Kante
2020/21 Season Stats:
24 appearances
0 goals
2 assists
86.5% pass success
2.6 tackles per game
Kante helped Chelsea to the FA Cup final and Champions League title last season, and will only continue to flourish under Thomas Tuchel this season.
1. Kevin de Bruyne
2020/21 Season Stats:
23 appearances
6 goals
12 assists
81.7% pass success
1.4 key passes per game
Despite missing a chunk of last season through injury, De Bruyne led the Premier League in chances created from open play and had twice as many assists as any of his Manchester City teammates.