Premier League 2024/25: Top 10 midfielders

The midfield is the heartbeat of any football team — the vital link that connects defence to attack. Midfielders operate in the engine room of the pitch, and their roles can vary widely based on tactical needs. Attacking midfielders push forward, contributing with goals and assists and unlocking defences with creativity and vision. Deep-lying playmakers sit further back, orchestrating play by distributing accurate forward passes and supporting both attack and defence. Then there are defensive midfielders, the shield ahead of the backline who specialise in breaking up opposition attacks, winning tackles, and recovering possession.

A solid midfield can control the game. But a truly exceptional midfield? That wins trophies.

The rankings below are based on following criteria:

• Performances, potential, and consistency 
• Player’s importance and relevance to his team 
• Success relative to the team’s targets 

Let’s take a look at the best midfielders of the 2024/25 Premier League season. 

Note: All stats mentioned below have been taken from PremierLeague.com and FBref.com. 

Top 10 midfielders from the 2024/25 Premier League season

10. Mikkel Damsgaard | Brentford

Mikkel Damsgaard was one of Brentford’s star performers this season. He wasn’t just their creative outlet, but also chipped in with crucial goals.

Damsgaard is an attacking midfielder known for his creativity, passing range, and ability to score from long range and headers. While he is an attacking midfielder, Damsgaard also helps the defence, making tackles and winning possession. This season, Damsgaard scored two goals and bagged 10 assists in the league. He had an average of 36 passes per match, made 7.23 progressive passes per 90, created 15 big chances, played in 27 through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 53%.

The Dane was vital to most of the creativity originating from that Brentford midfield and one of the reasons Bees forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa proved prolific in front of goal.

9. Youri Tielemans | Aston Villa

Youri Tielemans has gone seriously under the radar due to the brilliance of Morgan Rogers, but he was still one of the standout players for the Villans this season. 

Tielemans is a versatile central midfielder who can play as a deep-lying playmaker or in a more advanced role. He has exceptional intelligence and vision, coupled with great passing and crossing ability. In addition, he has the ability to score from long-range efforts as well. This season, the Belgian scored three goals and provided seven assists in 36 league appearances. He had an average of 53.69 passes per match, made 6.73 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances, played 24 through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 69%. 

His dynamism makes Tielemans a great asset for Aston Villa, as he can occupy different positions in midfield.

8. Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United

Manchester United had nothing to write home about this season, ending 15th in the league table. However, if there was one player who single-handedly kept them away from the relegation threat, it was their captain, Bruno Fernandes. 

Fernandes is a creative playmaker who has great vision, passing range, dribbling skills, and an eye for goal both from close range and long range. In addition, the Portuguese is exceptional on set pieces. Even though United struggled as a collective, Fernandes scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 36 league appearances. On average, he made 56.11 passes per match and 9.70 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances per 90, played 31 through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 60%. 

Even in an underwhelming season for his club, Bruno Fernandes proved to be the only world-class performer that United can boast of this season.

7. Matheus Cunha | Wolverhampton Wanderers

Another story of a player overperforming in an underwhelming team. Wolves dangled with relegation all season long and survived primarily because of the brilliance of Matheus Cunha. 

Cunha is an attacking midfielder but dynamic enough to play anywhere across the front line, even as a No. 10. Along with the Brazilian flair, Cunha also possesses great dribbling skills, vision, passing range, and an eye for goal — both from distance and close range. He can wriggle his way out of pressure and can create opportunities with pinpoint long crosses or passes to his teammates.

This season, Cunha produced impressive numbers: 15 goals and six assists in 33 league appearances. He averaged 28.76 passes per game, made 4.99 progressive passes per 90, created 13 big chances per 90, and made 38 tackles in all. 

Cunha proved exceptional in an otherwise poor Wolves team. He was certainly one of the most influential midfielders in the league this season.

6. Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool

Alexis Mac Allister was a vital part of the Liverpool midfield this season, helping the team win the league. 

There aren’t many things that Mac Allister can’t do. He can play as a deep-lying playmaker as well as in a more forward role as a No. 10. His tactical intelligence, technique, vision, and passing are second to none. The Argentine World Cup winner is such a crucial player that the Liverpool midfield doesn’t look the same without him. In addition, he has a wand of a right foot that can unleash sublime long-range curlers. He can tackle, intercept, break opposition play, and make ball recoveries too.

This season, Mac Allister provided five goals and assists each in 35 league appearances. He averaged 40.69 passes per match, made 6.08 progressive passes per 90, created six big chances per 90, played six through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 61% with 25 tackles, 22 interceptions, and 148 ball recoveries. 

5. Declan Rice | Arsenal

Declan Rice was Arsenal’s star performer this season. With the Gunners hit by unfortunate injuries, Rice provided the much-needed creative and defensive support, even controlling games from midfield. 

Rice is primarily a defensive midfielder known for his passing range, tackling, ball-carrying ability, and ball recoveries. He protects the defence by breaking up opposition attacks and winning possession. The England international is dynamic enough to also play as a No. 8 in a more forward role and chips in with vital goals and assists. He can also provide goals from set-pieces.

This season, Rice registered four goals and seven assists in 35 league games. He also averaged 42.17 passes per match, made 5.97 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances, played five through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 47% with 53 tackles, 25 interceptions, and 156 ball recoveries. 

Since his arrival at the Emirates, Rice has undoubtedly had a massive impact on this Arsenal side.

4. Moisés Caicedo | Chelsea

Moisés Caicedo was involved in a bidding war between Chelsea and Liverpool last season, and he ultimately chose the West London club. Last season was a bit underwhelming for the Ecuadorian midfielder, but this season he showed exactly why Chelsea paid the big bucks for him.

Caicedo has been one of the most crucial players in the current Chelsea line-up that finally secured Champions League football after two seasons. He possesses incredible defensive qualities, an immense work rate, and excellent tackling abilities. He can also play as a box-to-box midfielder — covering ground, breaking up play, and regaining possession. In addition, he has a good passing range, can switch play, and provide through balls for his forwards.

This season, Caicedo scored once and provided two assists in the league. He averaged 56.66 passes per match, made 5.77 progressive passes per 90, created five big chances, played 12 through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 64% with 114 tackles, 49 interceptions, and 229 ball recoveries.

3. Morgan Gibbs-White | Nottingham Forest

Morgan Gibbs-White is attracting a lot of interest because of the sensational season he has had with Nottingham Forest. 

Gibbs-White is a versatile, attack-minded midfielder who possesses great technique and tactical intelligence. Very effective during transitions, he can find players with precise through balls and passes to create chances. He has added another dimension to his game by improving defensively.

This season, Gibbs-White posted phenomenal numbers for a midfielder — seven goals and eight assists in 34 league appearances. He averaged 35.68 passes per match, made 5.27 progressive passes per 90, created 10 big chances, played 19 through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 51%. 

The 25-year-old has been one of the main reasons behind Forest securing European football for next season. Based on the number of suitors in the market for him, there is a strong possibility that he will not remain at the City Ground next season.

2. Ryan Gravenberch | Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch was one of the best-performing midfielders in the Premier League this season. Playing out of position in a new role is never easy, but the Dutch midfielder didn’t just excel — he proved to be one of the key reasons for Liverpool cruising to the league title.

Gravenberch is a technical, attack-minded player, but due to Liverpool being short on defensive options in the middle last summer, he was deployed as a No. 6 by Arne Slot. This turned out to be a stroke of genius, as the Dutchman performed superbly in the role, becoming one of the catalysts for their 20th league title. He is press-resistant, possesses a good passing range, can progress the ball forward by beating the opposition press, and has excellent work rate.

This season, Gravenberch provided four assists in 37 appearances. He averaged 51.46 passes per match, made 5.30 progressive passes per 90, created three big chances, played in eight through balls, and had a tackle success rate of 51% with 69 tackles, 60 interceptions, and 193 ball recoveries.

Based on his impressive performances throughout the season, the 23-year-old also won the Premier League Young Player of the Year award.

1. Morgan Rogers | Aston Villa

Morgan Rogers was simply exceptional this season for Aston Villa. The 22-year-old contributed with vital goals and assists and almost helped his side to a second consecutive Champions League campaign. Unfortunately, Villa missed out on the last day, but they will still compete in the Europa League next season.

Rogers is an attack-minded, dynamic midfielder who can play in the forward line as well. The young Englishman has blown everyone away with his phenomenal performances for Villa in recent months. Physically strong, he possesses great dribbling skills and tactical intelligence and makes forward runs looking to assist or score. He also has great vision and a superb passing range — all the attributes needed to be an elite attacking midfielder.

This season, Rogers scored eight goals and bagged ten assists in 37 league appearances. He also averaged 23.25 passes per match, made 3.59 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances, and made 43 tackles.

For a player who has just completed his first full season in the league, Rogers has showcased immense quality while maintaining superb creative output. He was a contender for the Young Player of the Season award.