Arguably one of the most thankless positions in football, a defensive midfielder is an integral and multi-faceted anchor in any successful footballing side. The best are infrangible and relentless for the full 90, with as much an eye to shut down plays as kickstart them with flawless strokes on the ball.
This Premier League season has enjoyed its fair share of talent, and in our fifth edition of the ‘Best XI 2022’ series, we take a look at just this.
Andy Robertson won last week’s left-back laurel.
Vote for your defensive midfielder below.
N’Golo Kante
The Chelsea man continues to show up and show out in the Blues’ biggest matches since finding his rhythm after an on-and-off start. Aggressive, resilient and intelligent in shutting down opposition attacks and making last-ditch recoveries and tackles look effortless, the 31-year-old France international has cast himself as a bane for many opposition attacks. But it’s worth heeding Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilcueta’s warning: “[Kante] is more than that, of course.”
Fearless in the attack, Kante does not simply sit back and protect. In his 19 league appearances this season, Kante has provided two goals and three assists and constantly marauds forward into dangerous areas.
On his day, one of the best in the world, with a trophy cabinet to vouch.
Rodri
A stabilising, disciplined force in Pep Guardiola’s precision-driven Manchester City, the Spaniard has played an instrumental role in the side’s chase for the Premier League title. In 24 appearances, Rodri constantly cuts the figure of a man one step ahead of his opponents and has provided three goals and one assist whilst helping City to 14 of their 16 clean sheets, the joint most in the league for any club alongside title challengers Liverpool.
But perhaps more telling to his role is the sheer number of touches Rodri has racked up this season (2,300+), more than any midfielder in the league. Additionally, Rodri boasts more completed passes and passes made than his contemporaries, demonstrating his monumental role in anchoring City’s attack.
Rodri goes quietly about his business as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league.
Fabinho
That Panenka alone against Kepa Arrizabalaga to help lift Liverpool to Carabao Cup triumph – one trophy closer to a sensational quadruple – puts this man in the ‘Best of’ conversation. But we will keep things fair as that was the Carabao Cup, not the Premier League.
Fabinho has plied a strong season thus far. In 22 league appearances, the 28-year-old Brazilian has protected the back four with command and aplomb and helped Liverpool to 14 of their 16 clean sheets.
His crucial work rate provides foraying full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson the faith to push forward while his quality on the ball offers a clever and sharp range of passing from deep. Fabinho also has an assist and four goals.
Declan Rice
Everyone seems to want a bit of Rice at the moment. With the third most minutes in the league of any midfielder, the 23-year-old’s quality on and off the ball belies his age. In 28 appearances, the West Ham captain ranks eighth in the league for tackles this season (65) with a 52% success rate. He has made 238 recoveries and won nearly 150 duels, a standout quantity amongst his peers.
Rice has registered one goal and four assists this season, whilst recording the league’s fourth most touches amongst midfielders at just over 2,000, one of only four midfielders to do so. The stat underlines Rice’s pivotal role as the Hammer’s spinal link.
Rice’s intangibles, though, have provided the real fuel to his rise on the domestic and international scene. In high-pressure moments, Rice’s maturity, presence and authority to see out a win and instil a level of decorum has garnered him a number of suitors. Next England captain and all that.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
The Danish anchor can oft-divide the Spurs fanbase, but the man does the basics right: Huge engine, good passing and does the dirty work. Check.
From his 27 league appearances, the 26-year-old has recorded 2,386 minutes this season, the ninth most played by any midfielder. In those minutes, Hojbjerg has recorded 62 tackles (joint 12th in the league) at a 63% success rate along with over 200 recoveries and nearly 150 duels won.
Away from his defensive work rate, Hojbjerg has provided two goals and two assists this season, has become something of a doyen for pre-assists and ranks second amongst midfielders in the league for touches at 2,285, just behind Manchester City’s Rodri. The final statistic is testament to his integral role in Spurs build-up play as Antonio Conte's side look to counter through Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Thomas Partey
Since returning to full fitness this season, the 28-year-old Ghana international has come to provide a breath of fresh, impervious air to a young Arsenal squad in his 23 appearances and the Gunners’ resounding rise to top-four contenders is no coincidence.
A tough, physical competitor in midfield, Partey has registered 43 tackles with an outrageous 67% success rate while making just shy of 150 recoveries and winning well over half his duels. His patience on the ball to keep possession and distribute smart passes to break through opposition lines have helped buoy a squad with raw and exciting attacking talent.
James Ward Prowse
A standout performer in Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side in recent seasons, the 27-year-old skipper has continued putting in relentless stalwart shifts, Hassenhuttl claiming he has never seen a fitter player.
With over 2,400 league minutes recorded this season, Ward-Prowse’s importance in the Southampton side is unquestionable. He has registered 35 tackles this season with a 65% success rate and made 193 recoveries whilst putting in inspiring shifts to spur his team on through tough triumphs.
His physical and unflappable defensive presence is complimented well by a reliable quality on the ball, showcased by his ranking seventh in the league for most touches by a midfielder, just shy of the 2,000 mark, along with six goals and four assists. Not to mention his knack for impressive free-kicks. He's got plenty of big-name admirers, and who can blame them.
John McGinn
Steven Gerrard said he’d love to play beside the man, and that’s no small compliment from Liverpool’s midfield legend. The 27-year-old’s relentless commitment this season as the physical and composed anchor of Gerrard’s side has made him an irreplaceable facet.
With 2,280 minutes league minutes played across 2 appearances, McGinn ranks amongst top 15 midfielders in the league for minutes played. In that time, the Scotland international has registered 80 tackles which see him rank second in the league whilst making 150 recoveries and winning nearly 200 duels to dovetail his three goals and two assists.
An all-in kind of performer.
