Who are the Premier League’s best midfielders right now? | OneFootball

Who are the best midfielders in the Premier League?

The Premier League has always been home to some of the best midfielders in world football, from the age-old debate of Gerrard vs Lampard vs Scholes to Yaya Toure putting in some incredible displays for Man City.

But which midfielders are the best in the Premier League right now? You’re about to find out…

We have three midfield scores to rank the different profiles within the league. Every player is eligible for all three rating categories (No.6 Score, No.8 Score and No.10).

Only players who have played half the minutes available during the 2023/24 have been considered (1710+minutes), while midfielders that have joined Premier League sides this summer have also been included.

No.6 Score

=5. Amadou Onana

Now at Aston Villa after a bigger money move to play Champions League football, Amadou Onana already looks like one of the best deals of the summer. The 22-year-old won a higher percentage of his duels than any other midfielder to contest 20 or more in the Premier League last season (65.93%). He contested 273 in total.

=5. Bruno Guimarães

Once describing himself as a “piano carrier” — someone who does the unseen work — Guimaraes has been nothing short of being a revelation since joining Newcastle from Olympique Lyon in 2021, especially when tasked with sitting deeper.

4. Moisés Caicedo

After a tricky start to life in London, Moises Caicedo grew into his role at Chelsea as the season went on and is expected to continue in that role under Enzo Maresca this season. He scored an incredible goal on the final day from 50.61 metres out and will be hoping for a few more in 2024/25.

3. Alexis Mac Allister

Another midfield edition at the Anfield-based club last summer. Mac Allister’s versatility has come in hand during a debut campaign under Jurgen Klopp, particularly in the number six role, where he’s shone. He made more tackles, played more passes in the opposition half, won the most ground duels won, won more fouls and made more high turnovers than any other Liverpool player in the Premier League last term.

=2. Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma was incredible for Tottenham at the start of the campaign under Ange Postecoglou last season, but struggled to pick that back up after his red card. However, towards the end of the season he seemed to pick back up again and if he can stay consistent he can be one of the best number 6’s in the league.

=2. Mats Wieffer

Brighton’s scouting system never seems to fail and Seagulls fans will be excited to watch Mats Wieffer in the Premier League after an exceptional season under now Liverpool manager Arne Slot for Feyenoord in 2023/24. He proved he could do it on the biggest stage however, becoming one of just three players to win possession 50+ times in the Champions League group stages.

=2. Declan Rice

Declan Rice helped transform Arsenal following his move from London rivals West Ham for a reported £100m, where his seamless ability to retain and recycle possession first came to the fore. The Englishman also set a new personal best for both goals (7) and assists (8) in a Premier League campaign in 2023/24, with only Kevin De Bruyne (10) providing more assists in the PL during this calendar year than the Arsenal man (7).

1. Rodri

Club: Man City

Squawka Score: 77%

You can make the case that Rodri is both the best Premier League midfielder and Manchester City’s most important player. It’s been another exemplary season for the Spaniard, who is the glue in Pep Guardiola’s team and makes it look so effortlessly. Since the start of 2023, he has lifted twice as many trophies (8) as he has lost games (4) for club and country, proving how key he is for both sides.

No.8 Score

5. Eberechi Eze

Despite ending the season predominantly out wide, Eberechi Eze has still found himself in a deep-lying forward role, from which he’s netted eight goals compared to three from cutting in from the flanks. Only Phil Foden (6) scored more goals from outside the box (4) in the Premier League in 2023/24 than the Crystal Palace man and after Michael Olise’s departure, Oliver Glasner will be hoping to keep hold of the player this summer.

=4. Mats Wieffer

Mats Wieffer was the only player in Europe’s top seven leagues in 2023/24 with 30+ shots, 30+ chances created, 30+ take-ons completed, 30+ aerial duels won, 30+ tackles, 30+ fouls won, 30+ interceptions, 30+ clearances.  30+ touches in the opposition box and 30+ passes into opposition box.

=4. Lucas Paquetá

The Brazilian played a variety of roles for West Ham last season, with his impressive performances saw him linked with a move to Manchester City. Only Martin Odegaard completed more through balls in the Premier League last term than the Hammers midfielder (30), while he was also directly involved in 10 league goals (4 goals, 6 assists).

3. James Maddison

Before his lengthy injury lay-off, James Maddison ranked top per 90 for the most chances created, the most penalty area entries, the most accurate passes into the area and the most shot-ending sequences.

2.Bruno Guimarães

Bruno Guimarães won more ground duels and won more fouls than any other player in Europe’s top seven leagues in 2023/24. In the Premier League, he completed more take-ons than any other centre-midfielder, while no player in the competition won more duels or made more high turnovers. He also contributed seven goals and eight assists.

1. Rodri

Rodri was the only player during the 2023/24 Premier League season with 20+ shots on target, 20+ chances created, 20+ aerial duels won, 20+ fouls won, 20+ take-ons completed, 20+ tackles made, 20+ interceptions and 20+ clearances. He also broke the Premier League record for most passes completed in a single season since Opta started collecting data from 2003/04.

No.10 Score

5. João Pedro

João Pedro played both up top and behind the striker for Brighton last season, scoring 20 goals across all competitions including nine in the Premier League. The Brazilian was the master from the spot, scoring 8/8 penalties in the Premier League and Europa League and should be one of the first names on the teamsheet under new manager Fabian Hürzeler.

4. Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze was directly involved in 15 Premier League goals last season with 13 of them coming when he had started centrally. There are rumours of him leaving Palace this summer with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City being linked and it would be a huge loss for Oliver Glasner if he did join Michael Olise out of the door.

3. James Maddison

A lengthy spell on the sidelines robbed James Maddison from enjoying a productive debut campaign with Tottenham; that said, he finished with nine assists while registering four goals; it could have been more, and he’ll be out to ensure that when the Premier League resumes.

2. Phil Foden

After Kevin De Bruyne’s long absence, Phil Foden found himself playing more centrally for Man City last season and thrived in his new role for the Citizens. The 24-year-old set a new personal best for both goals (19) and assists (8) in a single Premier League campaign as well as scoring more goals from outside the box than any other player in the competition (6).

He was named Premier League Player of the Season for his incredible performances throughout, becoming the first Englishman to win the award for Man City and the first Englishman for any side since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16.

1. Cole Palmer

Club: Chelsea

Squawka Score: 86%

The undisputed Premier League young player of the season, Palmer was also in contention for the bigger prize that eluded him. If he continues on this trajectory, it will not be long before he claims it. The former Manchester City academy graduate couldn’t have enjoyed a better debut season for Chelsea, where he netted 22 goals and created a further 11 for his teammates – the most goal involvements of any player in the Premier League in 2024/25.

He was directly involved in more Premier League goals in 2023/24 than any other Chelsea player has ever managed in their debut season for the club, breaking Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s record.

Squawka Score metrics and weighting

Here are the metrics used and weighting given to each metric to come up with the overall Squawka Score:

Number 6:

Number 8:

Number 10:

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