England's centre-midfield options - ranked
- England have blessed with a talented crop of young midfielders
- Declan Rice has been a staple for the Three Lions at the base of midfield
- Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton among 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 central midfield options sit in the pecking order.
11. 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 some distance away from an England recall having endured an indifferent spell with the newly promoted Ipswich Town this term.
10. 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. He does have 11 caps, however.
While an excellent set-piece taker, Ward-Prowse has seemingly been regarded as aa well-rounded midfielder who doesn't excel in one particular area.
He impressed during his first spell at West Ham after a lengthy tenure with Southampton, and he's back in east London after his move to Nottingham Forest didn't pan out.
9. 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 caught the eye with some dominant performances in the centre of the park since he swapped England for Italy during his debut season, managing ten goals and two assists, but year two has been much more of a struggle. ,
However, an upsurge in form is all it takes. Tuchel knows him well from his time as Chelsea manager, with the midfielder featuring 46 times under his tutelage.
8. Jordan Henderson
It was thought to be the end of the road for Henderson after he ventured out to the Saudi Pro League.
The midfielder's European return failed to convince Southgate nor Lee Carsley that he was worthy of a return to the Three Lions set-up, but Tuchel has included the veteran in his first England squad.
While the former Liverpool captain is only to see much of the field. the new manager values Henderson's experience and leadership.
7. Elliot Anderson
Anderson is the only uncapped player on this list, and while Tuchel overlooked him for the March internationals, it surely won't be long until the Nottingham Forest midfielder emerges as a regular in the Three Lions set-up.
The all-action Anderson has played an instrumental role in Forest's rise under Nuno Espirito Santo, and greater exposure beckons for the young midfielder next season in the form of Champions League football.
6. 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 is enjoying himself out in Spain, and the early signs suggest he'll enjoy a fruitful career under the demanding Argentine.
While some unfairly regard Gallagher as technically limited, the versatile midfielder undoubtedly boasts intangibles that managers adore.
5. Kobbie Mainoo
The ascendency of Manchester United midfielder Mainoo was quite something last season.
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.
The United starlet has bags of talent and is a player England's midfield could be built around, but 2024/25 has been one of frustration for Mainoo and an injury ruled him out of the March 2025 internationals.
4. 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 24-year-old continues to flourish at Anfield. Arne Slot has made full use of his versatility and ability to play under duress in a deeper midfield position.
Tuchel has taken notice.
3. Adam Wharton
Not a soul would've backed Wharton for the Euros after he'd made the move from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace last January.
Within a year, many have already anointed 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.
Wharton has missed much of 2024/25 through injury, but he's played at an incredibly high level since his return.
2. Declan Rice
Rice seems to be the only central midfielder who doesn't divide opinion in an England shirt. Well, there might be a few who suggest he pales in comparison to the technical maestros the rest of Europe boast in their engine rooms.
Nevertheless, Rice is the best midfielder England have defensively and he was a staple of the previous regime.
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.