The 25 best defensive midfielders in world football - ranked

In the modern game, a defensive midfielder is required to be at their very best for the full 90 minutes, running with their engine on full blast.

They need to be relentless pressers, able to read every situation imaginable but also be talented on the ball, capable of intricately stroking it around at close range or picking a long-range pass. Often, it's hard to gain recognition in the best sides around the world if you play the anchor role, but every great team often has a number six making things tick.

The fun bit, for us anyway, is the debate around who the very best in the business is because there are inevitably differing opinions about who is the top dog.

So, because those kinds of debates are what we thrive on, we present the 25 players who are at the top of the game right now - primarily based on current form and standing at the highest level, taking into account injuries and excluding those who typically operate as a more rounded 'central' midfielder...

Here's our rankings as part of our Welcome to World Class series.

25. Joao Neves

Don't know much about Joao Neves yet? Don't worry, you're probably not the only one.

That's all likely to change in the coming years though, with the Portuguese international widely regarded as one of the finest prospects in the game. Benfica have a rich history of selling young academy players for huge profit - don't expect the tenacious Neves to be any different.

24. Robert Andrich

A late bloomer to the top level scene, Robert Andrich is now a Bundesliga title winner with Bayer Leverkusen and a Germany international.

Patrolling the centre of the park alongside Granit Xhaka at club level, Andrich helped dethrone Bayern Munich after 12 years of domestic dominance, having clearly flourished under the coaching of Real Madrid and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso.

23. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa

Everything came together for Napoli during their 2022/23 Serie A title-winning season.

The midfield under Luciano Spalletti was weighted perfectly, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - formerly of Fulham fame - balancing defensive contributions with clever forward runs.

Like everyone else at Napoli, he struggled the following year, but remains a class act.

22. Amadou Onana

A player tipped to eventually join one of Europe's elite clubs, the sky appears to be the limit for Amadou Onana.

Boasting prodigious dexterity and industry, Onana instantly became a key player at Everton after becoming one of their most expensive signings ever.

Onana's current surroundings represents a dramatic shift from his playing days in Belgium, where Zulte Waregem had to be persuaded to fund his train tickets.

21. Konrad Laimer

Just like almost every other Bundesliga star who doesn't play for Bayern Munich, Konrad Laimer was destined to join the Bundesliga champions at some point.

The Austria international ran the show at RB Leipzig for six years and is now using his versatility to plug the gaps at Bayern.

20. Leandro Paredes

A name that has been around for a while, Leandro Paredes often flies under the radar whoever he plays for.

But the Argentina international is a terrific footballer who brings plenty of energy to midfield, and it's no surprise that he found his feet immediately at AS Roma.

19. Morten Hjulmand

After honing his craft at Admira Wacker and then Lecce, Morten Hjulmund got his big break by moving to Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the summer of 2023.

The fact that 12 months later some of the biggest clubs in world football are chasing his signature tells you all you need to know about his continued progress.

18. Thomas Partey

Ghana international Thomas Partey loves to drop a shoulder to create space in midfield where he can roam forward and set off attacks.

He was technically advanced at a young age while developing at Atletico Madrid, playing a wide range of positions under Diego Simeone before settling in a deeper midfield role.

Injuries have prevented him from reaching his absolute peak at Arsenal.

17. Edson Alvarez

Edson Alvarez helped to limit the effects of Declan Rice leaving West Ham United in a bumper £105m transfer.

West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten hailed Alvarez as "super important," echoing the glowing reviews delivered by then Hammers manager David Moyes

16. Casemiro

Casemiro is one of the great modern-day defensive midfielders, having won countless trophies as Real Madrid's chief enforcer during the 2010s.

The urge to try something different saw the Brazilian join Manchester United and he enjoyed a domineering first campaign at Old Trafford - whenever he wasn't sidelined through suspension.

Casemiro's ailing legs don't allow him to screen his defence quite as effectively these days and he has been compromised by some of Erik ten Hag's tactics. Still, his status as an all-time great is secure.

15. Moises Caicedo

There are certainly high hopes for British record-signing Moises Caicedo at Chelsea.

Having forked out an astonishing £115m for the midfielder, Caicedo will be expected to lead Chelsea into a very successful period in the club's history.

There is more than enough time for the Ecuadorian to prosper, despite a rocky start at Stamford Bridge.

14. Wataru Endo

An unexpected signing for Liverpool, Wataru Endo has proved to be a smart addition considering how light the Reds were for defensive midfielders.

As Jurgen Klopp told the Japan international upon his arrival: "We really need you. We have a really good team. Ready to work, but very offensive."

His strong screening has allowed players like Alexis Mac Allister to flourish further forward, vindicating the move.

13. Youssouf Fofana

Youssouf Fofana likes to sit at the base of midfield but is just as adept at pushing forward and orchestrating attacking moves.

With an easy passing style that sets him apart from more rigid-minded defensive midfielders, Fofana has grown at Monaco since Aurelien Tchouameni's departure.

12. Manuel Ugarte

Paris Saint-Germain won the race to sign Manuel Ugarte during the summer and it's a signing that could be truly transformative for the club's midfield.

Ugarte is one of the best ball-winners around and although he has not dominated Ligue 1 in the way PSG might have hoped, he's a really smart long-term signing.

11. Boubacar Kamara

Boubacar Kamara was very highly rated at Marseille for a long time, but he ended up going slightly under the radar before signing for Aston Villa.

Under Unai Emery, he has been a crucial player, and can be credited with playing an important role in their rapid improvement.

10. Yves Bissouma

Former Brighton star Yves Bissouma was regarded as a super signing by Spurs during a window which was meant to catapult the Lilywhites to a new realm with Antonio Conte in charge.

However, the midfielder's debut season in north London was tough. His first few appearances under Conte were sub-par and it seemed as if he never quite garnered the trust of the Italian before his injury setback.

Nevertheless, Bissouma's talent is undeniable and we've seen how good he can be under Ange Postecoglou.

9. Martin Zubimendi

Another superb product of the Real Sociedad academy, expect Martin Zubimendi to make a big-money move in the near future.

Bayern Munich and Arsenal are among some of the European heavyweights who have been linked with the Spaniard, who won't be allowed to leave the Basque region on the cheap.

8. Joao Palhinha

The top tackling player in the Premier League during 2022/23, it's fair to say Fulham might not have stayed up without Joao Palhinha.

A summer move to Bayern Munich fell through and Marco Silva has undoubtedly been the beneficiary, with the Portugal midfielder producing another strong season at Craven Cottage.

7. Vitinha

Vitinha had to bide his time to find regular minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's side, but he's now showing exactly why the Ligue 1 giants picked him up from FC Porto.

The Portuguese international is so tidy on the ball, has a healthy eye for goal, and has helped PSG transition seamlessly into an era without Marco Verratti.

6. Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka leaving Arsenal as a fan favourite captured his remarkable renaissance at the Emirates.

The often scapegoated midfielder's relationship with Gunners supporters came to a head in October 2019 when he was jeered by fans while he trudged off the pitch. Mikel Arteta's arrival offered the Swiss international a new lease of life and he re-emerged as a key figure in north London.

He is now central to Bayer Leverkusen's incredible upsurge.

5. Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile top-level players in the game today and has been central to Bayern Munich's constant trophy-winning in recent years.

His brilliance at the base of midfield, ability to keep things ticking over and break up play on an unprecedented level make him an outstanding asset, one who can also play at right-back when required.

4. Aurelien Tchouameni

Real Madrid extensively scouted Aurelien Tchouameni during his time at Monaco and must have been impressed by the amount of defensive work - particularly tackles and interceptions - he gets through, though his progressive game isn't half shabby either.

He has been living up to his €100m price tag and is one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti's teamsheet.

3. Bruno Guimaraes

Bruno Guimaraes was very good and perhaps underrated for a few years at Lyon, but his first season at Newcastle cemented him as one of the best all-round midfielders in the world.

The Brazilian was arguably their most important player as they qualified for the Champions League and reached the Carabao Cup final. He grabbed ten goals and six assists in 2022/23 from 57 games, a great return for a midfielder who is also very good in the tackle and does a lot of hard yards for the team.

He has continued to impress in 2023/24, with the sky the limit for his talents.

2. Declan Rice

Declan Rice has improved at an incredible rate in recent years and is now leading Arsenal's midfield.

Few players can match the England international's sublime tackling rate, while he has also become a force at the other end of the pitch in attack.

1. Rodri

It took a season or so for Rodri to get to grips with the vigours of Premier League football, but since acclimatising there have been few better in defensive midfield than the Spaniard.

Fast forward to the present day and Rodri has elevated his game back to the highest level, showing just how much of a world class operator he is. Scoring the winner in the 2023 Champions League final also boosted his stock a fair bit, but even so, Rodri is the best in his position right now.

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL