The midfield position 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 goals and assists while unlocking defences with creativity and vision. Deep-lying playmakers sit further back, orchestrating play from behind by distributing accurate forward passes and supporting both attack and defence. Then there are defensive midfielders – the shield ahead of the backline – who specialize in breaking up opposition attacks, winning tackles, and recovering possession.
A solid midfield can control the game. But a truly exceptional midfield? That’s what wins trophies.
The rankings below are based on following criteria:
- Performances, potential. and consistency
- Importance and relevance to his team
- Success or trophies won
Note: All stats mentioned below have been taken from Premierleague.com and fbref.com.
Let’s take a look at Top 10 midfielders in the 2024/25 Premier League season –
10. Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford)
Mikkel Damsgaard has been one of Brentford’s star performers this season. He hasn’t just been their creative outlet but he has also chipped in with crucial goals for the Bees.
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 has scored 2 goals and bagged 10 assists. He had an average of 36.00 passes per match, made 7.23 progressive passes per 90, created 15 big chances, played in 27 through balls and had a tackle success% of 53%.
Damsgaard has been vital to most of the creativity originating from that Brentford midfield and also one of the reasons that the Brentford wingers Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa have been prolific in front of goal.
9. Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
Youri Tielemans is a midfielder that has gone seriously under the radar due to the brilliance of Morgan Rogers but in my opinion, he has been one of the standout players for the Villans this season.
Tielemans is a versatile central midfielder who can play deep lying playmaker or in a more forward role. Tielemans 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 Tielemans has scored 3 goals and provided 7 assists in 36 appearances. Tielemans had an average of 53.69 passes per match, made 6.73 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances, played in 24 through balls and had a tackle success% of 69%.
This dynamism makes Tielemans a great asset for Aston Villa as he can play different positions and roles in the midfield. Tielemans has been a massive reason for Aston Villa almost making CL qualification this season.
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 that 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, Bruno Fernandes is exceptional on set-pieces as well. Even though United have struggled as a collective, Fernandes has scored 8 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 league appearances. The Portuguese midfielder has an average of 56.11 passes per match, made 9.70 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances, played in 31 through balls and had a tackle success% of 60% this season.
Even in an underwhelming season for his club, Bruno Fernandes has been 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 literally dangled with relegation all season long and mainly survived because of the brilliance of Matheus Cunha.
Cunha is an attacking midfielder but dynamic enough to play anywhere in the front line or as a 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 pin-point long crosses or passes to his teammates. This season Cunha has produced impressive numbers, scored 15 goals and provided 6 assists in 33 appearances. He has averaged 28.76 passes per game, made 4.99 progressive passes per 90, created 13 big chances and made 38 tackles this season.
Cunha has been exceptional for an otherwise poor Wolves team and he has certainly been one of the most influential midfielders in the league this season.
6. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Alexis Mac Allister has been a vital asset of the Liverpool midfield this season, helping the team win the League this season.
There aren’t many things that Mac Allister can’t do. He can play as a deep lying playmaker as well in a more forward role as a 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 right foot wand that can unleash sublime long-range curlers as well. He can tackle, intercept, break opposition play and make ball recoveries too. This season, Mac Allister has scored 5 goals and assisted 5 times in 35 PL appearances. He has averaged 40.69 passes per match, made 6.08 progressive passes per 90, created 6 big chances, played in 6 through balls and had a tackle success% of 61% with 25 tackles, 22 interceptions and 148 ball recoveries.
Due to his impressive performances this season which led to Liverpool cruising to the league title with four games to spare, Mac Allister was certain to make the best midfielders list.
5. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Declan Rice has been Arsenal’s star performer this season. With the Gunners hit by unfortunate injuries, Rice has provided the much needed creative and defensive support to his team, even controlling the game from the midfield.
Declan Rice is a defensive midfielder known for his passing range, tackling, ball carrying ability and ball recoveries. He protects the defensive line by breaking up opposition attack and winning possession. Rice is dynamic enough to also play as an 8 in a more forward role and chips in vital goals and assists. In addition, he can also provide goals from set-pieces. This season, Rice has 4 goals and 7 assists in 35 games. Rice also averaged 42.17 passes per match, made 5.97 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances, played in 5 through balls and tackle success% of 47% with 53 tackles, 25 interceptions and 156 ball recoveries.
Since he has come in, Rice has certainly had a massive impact on this Gunners side and based on his impressive performances this season, he has been one of the best midfielders in the league.
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 to get him over at Stamford Bridge.
Caicedo has been one of the most crucial players in the current Chelsea lineup that finally secured Champions League football after two seasons. Caicedo possesses incredible defensive qualities, insane work-rate and tacking 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 also provide through balls for his forwards. Caicedo has scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists this season. He has averaged 56.66 passes per match, made 5.77 progressive passes per 90, created 5 big chances, played in 12 through balls and had a tackle success% of 64% with 114 tackles, 49 interceptions and 229 ball recoveries.
Caicedo has been one of the major reasons that the Blues have made it to Top 5 places this season and hence deserves a mention in the list.
3. Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
Morgan Gibbs-White is attracting a lot of interest because of the sensational season he has had at Nottingham Forest.
Gibbs-White is a versatile midfielder who is an attack-minded player. He possesses great technique and tactical intelligence. Very effective during transitions, Gibbs-White can find players with precise through balls or passes to create scoring chances. In addition, he has added another dimension to his game by improving defensively. This season, Gibbs-White has posted phenomenal numbers scoring 7 goals and providing 8 assists in 34 PL appearances. He averaged 35.68 passes per match, made 5.27 progressive passes per 90, created 10 big chances, played in 19 through balls and had a tackle success% rate of 51%.
Gibbs-White has been one of the major reasons for Forest getting European places this season and based on the suitors in the transfer market, there is a strong possibility that he may not remain at the City Ground next season.
2. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Ryan Gravenberch has been one of the best performers in the Premier League this season. Playing out of position, in a new role is never easy but the Dutch midfielder has not only excelled but been one of the reasons for Liverpool cruising to the league title with four games to spare.
Gravenberch is a technical and more attack minded player but due to Liverpool not being able to find a defensive midfielder last summer, Gravenberch was deployed in the No. 6 role by Arne Slot. It turned out to be a stroke of genius as Gravenberch performed superbly in the role, becoming one of the catalysts of the 20th league title. He is press-resistant, possesses a good passing range, progresses the ball forward by beating the opposition press and has excellent work-rate and presence. This season Gravenberch has provided 4 assists in 37 appearances. Gravenberch has averaged 51.46 passes per match, made 5.30 progressive passes per 90, created 3 big chances, played in 8 through balls and has a tackle success% of 51% with 69 tackles, 60 interceptions and 193 ball recoveries.
Based on his impressive performances throughout the season, he also won the Premier League young player of the year and certainly deserves a mention in the top midfielders list this season.
1. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Morgan Rogers has been exceptional this season for Aston Villa. The 22-year-old has contributed with vital goals and assists,almost helping his side to a second consecutive Champions League qualification. Unfortunately, Villa lost 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 22-year-old Englishman has blown away everyone with his phenomenal performances for Aston Villa this season. Rogers is physically strong, possesses great dribbling skills, tactical intelligence and makes forward runs looking to assist or score goals. He also has great vision and superb passing range – all the attributes that make an attacking midfielder. Rogers has scored 8 goals and bagged 10 assists in 37 appearances this season. He has averaged 23.25 passes per match, made 3.59 progressive passes per 90, created 16 big chances and made 43 tackles this season.
For a player who has completed his first full season in the league, Rogers has showcased immense quality while maintaining superb creative output for his team. Rogers was also one of the candidates for the Young Player of the Season and hence deserves a definite mention in the list of the best midfielders in the league.
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