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It is often said that teams that win the midfield battle usually win the match. One of the most crucial positions on the pitch, midfielders often set the tone of the game with their performances.
2021 has seen some incredible midfielders put in some breathtaking performances on the pitch. From Kante's brilliant performances in the UEFA Champions League to Kevin De Bruyne's majestic displays in the Premier League, the game's top midfielders have put on a show this year.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the 10 best midfielders of 2021.
#10 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid's midfield trio of Kroos, Modric and Casemiro might be aging, but they are showing no signs of slowing down. One of the best passers to ever play the game, Toni Kroos has been extremely consistent for Real Madrid this year.
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The Real Madrid superstar showed his class when he put on a midfield masterclass in the UEFA Champions League tie against Liverpool earlier this year. Still only 31, Kroos has started the season in fine form and has been one of Real Madrid's best players.
Calm and composed on the ball, Kroos will be hoping to inspire Real Madrid to another La Liga title this season. He will also need to be at his playmaking best when Real Madrid take on PSG in the UEFA Champions League.
#9 Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
One of the most complete midfielders in world football at the moment, Nicolo Barella has had a stunning year for both Inter Milan and the Italian national team. Full of running and creativity, Barella scored and set up plenty of crucial goals in Inter's run to the Serie A title last season.
An ever-present in Roberto Mancini's Italian side which won Euro 2020 as well, Barella has matured into one of the most reliable and consistent performers for his club and national sides.
Blessed with brilliant technical ability and incredible vision, Barella is capable of playing pin point through balls for his teammates. Still only 24, the Italian midfielder has the potential to achieve even greater heights in the coming years.
#8 Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Mason Mount has firmly established himself as one of the best English midfielders of this generation. The attacking midfielder played a crucial role in Chelsea's historic UEFA Champions League triumph. He was also extremely impressive for the England national team at Euro 2020.
Full of running and capable of taking some brilliant set-pieces as well, Mount keeps the team ticking with his intelligent runs, great passing and brilliant vision. A fan favorite at Stamford Bridge already, Mount has started this season in blistering form as well.
In just 16 Premier League appearances so far, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder has already contributed 7 goals and grabbed 4 assists. Still only 22, Mount will be looking to build on his extremely impressive performances in 2021.
#7 Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Arguably the best defensive midfielder in the last 5 years, Casemiro has been a crucial part of Real Madrid's impressive start in La Liga under Carlo Ancelotti. An expert at breaking up play, Casemiro along with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos has helped Real Madrid dominate the midfield battle against most opponents.
Carlo Ancelotti, in fact, called them the best midfield in world football at the moment. Speaking to Diario AS, Ancelotti said:
"Those three make up the best midfield in the world right now. Maybe the box-to-box midfielders are more what you think of, but Modric, Kroos and Casemiro have so much experience and are so good at the game that they are simply extraordinary.
"What’s more, it turns out they play so well together. When the three of them are together there’s nobody who can compare to them."
In a team full of superstars, Casemiro's contributions are often overshadowed. However, there is no denying Casemiro's importance to both Real Madrid and the Brazil national team.
#6 Jorginho (Chelsea)
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has had a year to remember. Winner of the UEFA Champions League and Euro 2020 this year, Jorginho even finished 3rd in the Ballon d'Or 2021 list.
A brilliant passer of the ball, the Italian sets the tone of the game with his distribution and helps both Chelsea and Italy dictate the game from midfield. An excellent deep-lying playmaker, Jorginho's passing and crucial penalties helped both his club and national side win important trophies.
Adept at setting up attacks, Jorginho is one of the most important members of this brilliant Chelsea side under Thomas Tuchel. It will be interesting to see if the Italian will be able to continue his good form in 2022.
#5 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
It almost seems like a crime to keep Joshua Kimmich at only #5 on this list. Since Thiago's departure to Liverpool, Kimmich has made the 'number 6' position his own at Bayern Munich.
Setting up goals and breaking up play with equal ease, Kimmich has been one of Bayern Munich's standout performers in 2021. The versatile midfielder seems to have settled in wonderfully at the deep-lying playmaker position under Nagelsmann at Bayern Munich.
Andrea Pirlo was the true master of this position. If Joshua Kimmich continues playing the same way, he could end up becoming as good as the legendary Italian.
#4 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is the man for the big occasion. Putting in his best performances during the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, Kante almost single-handedly neutralized Manchester City's brilliant midfield in the 2020/21 UCL final.
The Frenchman has struggled with some niggling injuries this year and could have been even higher on the list if he had stayed fit. A brilliant tackler, ball winner and an excellent team man, Kante's absence is felt acutely by Thomas Tuchel when he is missing through injury.
The French midfielder also has an excellent understanding with the likes of Jorginho and Mason Mount. Tuchel will be hoping his star man is fit for the crucial stages of this season.
#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes has not been at his absolute best in the last few weeks, however, there is no denying the impact he has had at Manchester United throughout the calendar year in 2021.
Manchester United's key talisman and goalscorer before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes has some impressive numbers even this season. The Portuguese midfielder has scored 5 goals and grabbed 3 assists in 16 Premier League appearances so far.
Known for his brilliant through balls and excellent long shots, Bruno Fernandes will be hoping to get back to his best and help Manchester United secure a top 4 spot in the Premier League this season.
#2 Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Playing a supporting role to Robert Lewandowski as an attacking midfielder, Thomas Muller has been simply superb for Bayern Munich in 2021. While Lewandowski might be getting all the plaudits for the goals he scored, Muller has often been at hand, assisting and dragging defenders away from their positions.
Muller's numbers this season in the Bundesliga are nothing short of extraordinary. In 17 appearances, the German superstar has not only scored 5 goals, he has also managed to grab 13 assists as well.
The 32-year-old star has formed a brilliant connection with Robert Lewandowski and Muller will be hoping to inspire his beloved Bayern Munich to the UEFA Champions League title once again this season.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
One of the best midfielders to ever play in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne narrowly takes the #1 position ahead of Thomas Muller in our rankings.
While the Belgian midfielder has struggled with some injuries in the second half of 2021, De Bruyne was in stunning form in the Premier League in the first few months even winning the PFA Player of the Year award.
De Bruyne has also made a strong return to Premier League action this month, scoring some beautiful goals against Leeds United and Leicester City. Capable of playing defense splitting passes and scoring long range screamers, De Bruyne's vision, passing and technical abilities have helped unlock plenty of stubborn defenses all across Europe.
Manchester City will need Kevin De Bruyne's class and drive from midfield if they are to finally secure an elusive UEFA Champions League title this season.
Note: Wide players and wingers have not been considered
