England's centre-midfield options - ranked
- England have some of the world's most talented young midfielders
- Declan Rice has blossomed into an elite defensive midfielder for England
- Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are promising options
Few international teams can rival England for strength in depth.
From front to back, the Three Lions are blessed with a ludicrous amount of different options. It's almost too much choice, with new manager Thomas Tuchel likely to face the same pelters from supporters that Gareth Southgate did following each and every squad announcement.
Central midfield is just one area where England are stacked. Whether it be defensive midfielders, box-to-box generals or deep-lying creators, there is an abundance of talent available.
Here is where England's top midfield options sit in the pecking order, excluding attacking midfielders.
11. Jordan Henderson
Having burned a number of bridges by heading to Saudi Arabia, Henderson still somehow wormed his way into many of Southgate's squads despite there being more obvious candidates in central midfield.
But even Southgate couldn't bring himself to include Henderson at Euro 2024 and the now Ajax midfielder has been omitted from interim boss Lee Carsley's squads for the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
It's the end of the road for the former Liverpool captain, who racked up 81 appearances for the Three Lions.
10. Kalvin Phillips
A former England Player of the Year, Phillips' stock has fallen drastically since starring for his country at Euro 2020.
His big-money move to Manchester City has been nightmarish, and his loan move to West Ham United last season was even more of a disaster. While appreciated by former manager Southgate, Phillips is miles away from a return to the England set-up as things stand.
A move to newly-promoted Ipswich Town has already allowed him more regular minutes in 2024/25. This is likely his final chance to rebuild his reputation.
9. James Ward-Prowse
Ward-Prowse has been on the periphery of England's squads for some time, despite being a more obvious inclusion in the team than some of his fellow countrymen.
The former Southampton skipper's impressive showings with West Ham didn't endear him to Southgate and he has a point to prove during 2024/25 following a loan move to Nottingham Forest.
Still, there are few better set-piece takers in world football, which is not something to be sniffed at.
8. Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Having fallen out of favour at Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek followed the path of Fikayo Tomori, Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic in making the switch to Milan.
The box-to-box midfielder has caught the eye with some dominant performances in the centre of the park since he swapped England for Italy, and he could attract interest from Tuchel having been ignored by Southgate. He featured 46 times under the German during their spell at Stamford Bridge.
Loftus-Cheek managed ten goals and two assists in 2023/24 for Milan and is a powerful and dynamic dribbler.
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold just about holds on to his spot in this list of midfielders despite the fact that he's far more likely to be used as a right-back during the remainder of his international career.
The pass master is still capable of playing in the centre of the park, even if the experiment at Euro 2024 didn't get the best out of him.
Interim manager Carsley has utilised the Liverpool star as an orthodox right-back but it remains to be seen what Tuchel's plans are for the
6. Curtis Jones
Having thrived under Jurgen Klopp last season, Jones was technically the Under-21 Euros-winning goalscorer in the 2023 final. While he knew little about it as the ball cannoned off his back, the Liverpool man was still a key part of the team's success at the tournament.
Jones' intensity made him a crucial addition to the Reds' midfield last term and, despite some injuries, the 23-year-old continues to flourish at Anfield. Arne Slot has already got the local lad performing at an exceptional level in 2024/25.
He certainly has a bright future for club and country.
5. Adam Wharton
Not a soul would've backed Wharton for the Euros after he'd made the move from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace in January.
Less than a year on, however, and many are anointing the classy midfielder as England's saviour.
This country rarely produces players of Wharton's profile, and question marks surrounding Declan Rice's long-term England midfield partner opens the door for the Palace star to make a swift ascent into the Three Lions first team.
4. Conor Gallagher
After a summer of speculation linking him away from Stamford Bridge, Gallagher finally made the move to Atletico Madrid where he has teamed up with the exceptional Diego Simeone.
The indefatigable midfielder should thrive under Simeone given his tireless work rate and ability to snap into challenges. He's also more than capable of driving the ball forward from deeper positions.
If Gallagher can improve his game and build his confidence in Madrid, then there is no reason that he can't continue to receive regular minutes at international level.
3. Kobbie Mainoo
The ascendency of Manchester United midfielder Mainoo has been quite something.
Already a regular starter at Old Trafford, Mainoo was fast-tracked into the England squad last March and subsequently thrived in the starting lineup at Euro 2024, helping propel the Three Lions to the final.
He's already established himself as an England regular despite his tender age and he truly is a generational talent. Tuchel would do well to build around the teenager.
2. Declan Rice
Rice seems to be the only central midfielder who doesn't divide opinion in an England shirt. He's the best the Three Lions have defensively and has repeatedly dazzled for his country.
He established himself during his West Ham days and his stranglehold on a spot in the England midfield has only tightened since a move across London to join Arsenal.
Rice has the versatility needed to play at international level and is adept as both a number six and number eight. He's a guaranteed starter and game-changer for England.
1. Jude Bellingham
Not only is Bellingham England's best attacking midfielder, he's undisputedly their best central midfielder too, possessing all the tools to do, well, absolutely everything.
England's challenge now is to raise their standards for a player who, whether playing as a number ten or deeper, can prove the difference-maker on the grandest stages.
Debate will continue to rage over his best role and how to accommodate other talents around him, but Bellingham simply has to start every single competitive game when fit. It's that simple.
READ MORE ON ENGLAND'S SQUAD OPTIONS & BEST IN EVERY POSITION
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