- The Best Midfielders In The World Judging By Their Performance In The 2022/23 Season
The key to any functioning top-tier football team is the midfield. Midfielders have to be technically capable, creative, and adaptable on the pitch. With the rise of possession-heavy systems in modern football, the best midfielders are also required to be more efficient and precise in organizing play, tackling, and creating chances.
The best of the best have entertained us with their magical passes, clutch tackles, and their overall vision in the middle of the park.
Let’s rank the best midfielders in 2023, based on their performances this season.
10 – Ilkay Gundogan
Gundogan has refined his game from a deep-lying playmaker to an all-round, all-action midfielder who can now do it all. He remains one of the best midfielders in the world at attacking spaces and his eye for goal has come to the fore in recent seasons, particularly the 2021 season when he finished the campaign with 17 goals.
With his contract at the Etihad set to expire, it is no wonder all of Europe’s top clubs are chasing his signature as he would be a spectacular pick-up on a free transfer for anyone.
9 – Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United have been led expertly by Bruno Fernandes this season in all aspects except the goals. He has been a creative force, assisting and laying on chance after chance for his teammates, most of which have been squandered.
Still, he leads the entire Premier League in chances created and with a more prolific striker, the Portuguese midfielder should boast of tons of assists every season. Unlucky not to be higher on our list.
8 – Joshua Kimmich
A shame that Kimmich does not appear higher on our list of top 10 midfielders in the world in 2023. Perhaps this is due to Bayern’s indifferent season but the German controller has remained a pivotal part of Bayern’s midfield this season.
Kimmich is the glue that keeps it all together and Thomas Tuchel has quickly come to realise his importance as he has started every game under the new manager.
7 – Rodri
It is impossible to talk about Manchester City’s successes without mentioning the ever-present Spanish midfield orchestrator, Rodri. He has made the most appearances for Man City this season, featuring 54 times in all competitions and performing at a high level in every single one of those appearances.
Rodri embodies control like no other and after seamlessly replacing former City captain and Pep Guardiola stalwart Fernandinho, he has gone on to make a case for being arguably the best defensive midfielder in world football. Still only 26, Rodri could offer the Etihad side his dazzling array of
6 – Casemiro
The Brazilian midfield destroyer has almost single-handedly transformed Manchester United into one of the most formidable teams in Europe again. His ability to screen a defence as well as provide the perfect platform for attacks to thrive has propelled Erik ten Hag’s men to new heights.
His arrival at Old Trafford in the summer raised a few eyebrows considering his age (30) and price but he has more than justified his inclusion in our top 10 midfielders in the world in 2023.
5 – Martin Odegaard
Breaking into the Top 5 this year is Arsenal captain Martin Ödegaard. The Norwegian has been class this season despite Arsenal’s failed title bid.
Ödegaard has scored 15 goals and assisted 8 in 36 Premier League matches this season.
He is the chief creator in the middle of the park, and to play such a key role in firing a team that finished 5th just a year ago, to almost winning the Premier League title is commendable.
4 – Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham continues to go from strength to strength at Borussia Dortmund. The English midfielder is an unmissable cog in the BVB engine that is marching towards recapturing the Bundesliga title after 10 years of dominance by Bayern Munich.
With 14 goals and 7 assists in all competitions and his performances in the middle of the park, Bellingham arguably has been the best midfielder in the Bundesliga this season.
3 – Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos still represents excellence and calm in the middle of the park. Despite the challenging season Real Madrid have had, Kroos still remains one of the best midfielders in the World.
2 – Luka Modrić
Another all-timer still playing at the top level. Modric showed at the World Cup, that although his age is becoming a factor, his class is permanent. He helped Croatia finish third in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while winning the tournament’s bronze ball award. He and Toni Kroos were the engine behind Real Madrid’s run to another UCL semifinals this season.
1 – Kevin de Bruyne
For over 3 years now, many have been calling the Manchester City star the best midfielder in the World, and rightly so. Kevin De Bruyne is a creative force in the middle of the park for Manchester City.
With 28 assists and 10 goals for the Mancunians this season, the Belgian is one of the key reasons why Pep Guardiola’s men could do the treble this season.
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