The best 15 central midfielders in world football – Two Newcastle United stars included | OneFootball

An intriguing new report on the best central midfielders in world football across the 2024/25 season.

Some great work from ESPN as they have gone into great detail on the best performers this past year.

ESPN naming the top 15 central midfielders.

Amongst the 15 are two Newcastle United stars.

Read below the list of all 15 and then the write-ups from ESPN on the two Newcastle United stars.

ESPN special report on the best 15 central midfielders in world football in the 2024/25 season:

Midfield is often the biggest battleground in soccer, and players who occupy that precious territory take many forms and have many roles. There are defensive midfielders who create attacks or destroy those of their opponents. There are also central midfielders who connect the dots in transition with defense-splitting passes or otherworldly strength in possession.

These rankings celebrate both forms, from the disruptors like Aurelien Tchouaméni and Alexis Mac Allister to the space-covering, two-way stars like Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães.

1. PEDRI, Barcelona/Spain, 22

2. Declan RICE, Arsenal/England, 26

3. Federico VALVERDE, Real Madrid/Uruguay, 26

4. Alexis MAC ALLISTER, Liverpool/Argentina, 26

5. VITINHA, Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal, 25

6. Nicolò BARELLA, Inter Milan/Italy, 28

7. Joshua KIMMICH, Bayern Munich/Germany, 30

8. Bruno GUIMARÃES, Newcastle United/Brazil, 27

9. Ryan GRAVENBERCH, Liverpool/Netherlands, 23

10. João NEVES, Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal, 20

11. Frenkie DE JONG, Barcelona/Netherlands, 28

12. Rodrigo DE PAUL, Atlético Madrid/Argentina, 31

13. Fabián RUIZ, Paris Saint-Germain/Spain, 29

14. Aurélien TCHOUAMÉNI, Real Madrid/France, 25

15. Sandro TONALI, Newcastle United/Italy, 25 years old

8. Bruno GUIMARÃES, Newcastle United/Brazil, 27 What makes him special: A leader who combines quantity and quality like few others.

Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 17

One key stat: Recorded 52 chances created in the Premier League this season, most on Newcastle United.

Why he’s on the list: When it comes to two-way central midfielders who can do a bit of everything, there are few better, and he can operate as a defensive midfielder, a deep-lying playmaker or even in a box-to-box role. He’s also hugely durable and consistent, having missed just one league game for Newcastle in the past two seasons.

At 27, he has 33 caps for Brazil — though his form over the past three years makes you feel like he should have more. He’s a goal scorer, too, averaging around five league goals a season in the past three years, all of them from open play.

What he says: “I’ve always had this really strong desire in wanting to be the best, in wanting to win. I can’t accept losing. I hate losing. After we lose, sometimes I don’t want to speak to anyone. I don’t speak to my partner. I just want to sit quietly and watch TV series. I’m really upset when we lose.”

What they say: “With his flamboyance comes a steeliness, which is hugely important in his position.” — Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe

What’s next: He’s committed to Newcastle until 2028, just before his 31st birthday, and while he has been the subject of transfer speculation in the past, he’s happy and settled at the club. They have the resources to keep him happy both financially and in terms of his ambition — they’ve qualified for the Champions League in two of the past three seasons — suggesting he’s not going anywhere. Next summer will be big as he looks to cement himself in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil midfield at the 2026 World Cup.

15. Sandro TONALI, Newcastle United/Italy, 25 years old What makes him special: Plays with calm, composure and cleverness in midfield, becoming a crucial part of Newcastle’s team.

Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One key stat: Tied for third in the Premier League in possessions won in the middle third of the pitch (109).

Why he’s on the list: On the pitch, Tonali has been the subject of predictable comparisons to Italian legend Andrea Pirlo due to his style of play, AC Milan background and physical similarities. But the 25-year-old has emerged to prove himself as a top-class midfielder at Newcastle in his own right, a player capable of creating and destroying, blending tenacity with vision.

Tonali’s midfield partnership with Bruno Guimarães has become one of the best in Europe, and after serving a 10-month suspension for breaching betting regulations, Tonali has become a standout player in the Premier League.

What he says: “When I had the ban for 10 months, I was still inside St James’ Park, and [the level of affection] from the fans felt the same. It was the same as before the ban. Any player who had a 10-month ban, if you have those fans, it makes it easier and it felt quicker.”

What they say: “When I first saw Sandro play, there were definite links to Pirlo, without a doubt, and it’s not just the hair. There’s more to it than that.” — Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.