Top Ten Defensive Midfielders of 2016
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| This past seasons biggest revelation, N'Golo Kante. |
After almost 3 years on a break I've decided to make a come back and revise my list for the worlds best defensive midfielders. Some players from the 2013 edition aren't included like Maxime Gonalons and Mikel Arteta but a good portion return for the 2016 edition. The defensive midfield position that requires a certain type of player, one who does a lot of positive work on the pitch for their team. 2016 has been a year of big surprise in world football and this list includes some of them.
#10. Gabi (Atletico Madrid)
Over the past couple of seasons the rise of Spanish club Atletico Madrid has been seen by all of world football. They've won 1 La Liga title, 1 Copa Del Rey, and have been finalist in the UEFA Champions League in the past two out of three years. And behind all this success has been Gabi, the captain and key player for them over the past seasons. Considered underrated in a lot circles in world football, Gabi has various qualities that make him extremely efficient for his team and his position.
#9. William Carvalho (Sporting CP)
#8. Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich)
#7. Danielle De Rossi (AS Roma)
#5. Arturo Vidal (Arturo Vidal)
#4. N'Golo Kante (Chelsea FC)
#3. Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)
#2. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
#1. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid CF)
William Carvalho has come off a great year for club and country, most notably winning the UEFA Euro 2016 with his national side Portugal. His club finished second in the league behind eternal rival Benfica and qualified for Champions League football this season. A very intimidating figure on the pitch, standing at 6'1", Carvalho is a elegant destroyer of sorts. He can do it all on the pitch and brings important elements to the teams he plays for. Already an established national team starter it is only a matter of time for him to move to a bigger club outside of Portugal.
#8. Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich)
Already of to a amazing start with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season with his team leading the league at the moment, Alonso has been extremely important. Ever since retiring from the Spanish national team in 2014 he has been able to completely focus on club football. Alonso has had a resurgence during the calendar year of 2016 appearing in every game for Bayern during the 2016/2017 football season. A player who possess all the tools to excel at the defensive midfield position, Alonso brings another gear to the game that Bayern Munich play. And his world class passing hasn't slowed down either.
One of the most passionate footballers to play for Italy, Danielle De Rossi is a legend for his club. Hes able to play centre-back but his so-called "bread & butter" is the defensive midfield position. Even though AS Roma haven't had the domestic and Continental success compared to their Italian counterparts, players like De Rossi have stayed loyal. As vice captain for club and country he holds a lot of responsibility on and off the pitch. At the age of 33 De Rossi still has the same engine that hes had his whole career and it looks like he wont stop for a long time.
#6. Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint Germain)
One of the players who stayed on the list albeit just one spot higher is French international Blaise Matuidi. Some circles would consider him a box-to-box midfielder but hes most efficient playing deeper and breaking opposition play up. 2016 has been a good year for him aswell, winning the domestic quadruple with his club and going all the way to the UEFA Euro 2016 final with France on home soil. Wanted by many clubs across Europe, it is unsure if he will end his career with PSG or move abroad in the near future.
It seems like Bayern Munich is a midfielders heaven as this is the clubs second inclusion on the list. Arturo Vidal is one of the most expressive footballers in the world right now and it shows in his play on the pitch. Able to play throughout various positions in the midfield Vidal is a very versatile player for club and country. He is also a very aggressive tackler and is able to turn defense into attack in a snap. Trophy wise 2016 has been very generous towards him, winning titles for his club and country respectively.
Without the signing of N'Golo Kante from Ligue 1 side Caen, many fans and pundits in world football probably feel Leicester City wouldn't have won the 2015/2016 Premier League. One of the most important transfers in English Premier League history, Kante brought an element to his team that no other team had. He was a workhorse in the defensive midfield position and literally did it all for his club along with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. His performances during that season earned him a call up to the French national team for the UEFA Euro 2016 where he was important in guiding them to the final.
The heir apparent to the throne that Andrea Pirlo held in the Italian national teams midfield, Marco Verratti is one of the most coveted players in world football. Even though he is diminutive for his position, standing at 5'5", he makes up for it with his smooth passing and great defensive awareness. Able to find players with passes that seem like they couldn't be pulled off, Verratti holds many qualities that his compatriot Pirlo holds. Injuries have plauged him this past summer, missing the UEFA Euro 2016, but look for him to come back strong and try and help PSG win more trophies.
One of the most important players to ever play for his club, Busquests holds many attributes that young midfielders should strive to gain. He is the lynch pin of the Barcelona midfield and holds the key to unlocking opposition midfields. Even though he isn't the most flashy compared to others on the list he provides stability that others don't. Along with Lionel Messi and Andreas Iniesta, he is one of the most important players at the club. And even though he is a spot lower compared to the 2013 edition his importance for club and country is unmatched.
The Real Madrid midfield rivals some of the best teams in the world and for very good reasons. Without Kroos Madrid wouldn't have had the success they've had in Europe in competitions like the UEFA Champions League. Truly a pass master, he is able to unlock any defense in world football with his penetrating passes and hold great defensive attributes as well. Such a extremely key part of the German national side as well, helping them win trophies like the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Also has a great eye for goal too.
© AaronWilliamsRBSJORNALISM
