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#4 Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City
In 2019-20, Kevin De Bruyne became only the second player in Premier League history to hit 20 assists in a single campaign. While the reigning PFA Player of the Year didn't hit the heights he had in the previous campaign, he's still had a commendable 2020-21 season. When fully fit, there aren't many better players in the league than the Belgian, let alone better midfielders.
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No player in the league has registered more through balls (21), shot-creating actions per 90 (6.40) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.86) than the 29-year-old. Among midfielders, only two players have more carries into the final third than his 82, and only Bruno Fernandes has more passes into the penalty area than his 79.
The Belgian ended the campaign with 12 assists, the joint-second highest, and only two behind Harry Kane, who topped the charts with 14. The fact that he has registered such numbers despite playing fewer minutes (1997) than any player on this list is absolutely phenomenal.
#3 Mason Mount | Chelsea
Mason Mount followed up an eye-catching debut campaign at Chelsea under Frank Lampard with an absolutely incredible 2020-21 season. He delivered for them regardless of whether it was Lampard or Thomas Tuchel in charge, and irrespective of where he played. The Englishman was deployed in a variety of roles this season, including central midfield, attacking midfield and out wide.
Only Bruno Fernandes registered more key passes and shot-creating actions than Mount's 90 and 163 respectively in the Premier League. The 22-year-old also racked up the highest number of carries into the final third (100), while also ranking fourth overall for pressures (687) and fifth for progressive carries (265).
Mount was deservedly crowned Chelsea's Player of the Year as he's had a terrific season at Stamford Bridge. At just 22 years of age, he's already proving to be one of their most important players and could go on to get even better in the future.
#2 Ilkay Gundogan | Manchester City
Ilkay Gundogan has had an astonishing 2020-21 season for Manchester City. The German is generally synonymous with keeping things ticking in the middle and controlling the tempo of the game. But this season, he's shown that there's so much more to his game as he stepped up in De Bruyne's absence to lead his side by example.
Gundogan has been one of the Cityzens' primary goal threats this season as he has 13 league strikes to his name. He's ventured higher up the pitch and scored goals aplenty, including one against Chelsea and braces against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, no midfielder in the league has scored more non-penalty goals than Gundogan's 12.
The German has been one of the key factors behind City's upturn in form after a slow start and he's proven his worth to Pep Guardiola. He has been an incredibly influential figure on the UEFA Champions League front as well. Gundogan has driven their midfield and has enjoyed arguably his best season in England so far.
#1 Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United
When Bruno Fernandes arrived at Manchester United in early 2020, he took the league by storm with a string of incredible displays. He scored goals, created chances, and made the Red Devils look like a different team altogether. While he was expected to get better in his first full season, he's shattered those expectations with a glorious campaign.
The Portuguese superstar was simply unplayable in 2020-21 and quickly became one of the most influential players in the league. No player in the Premier League had more key passes (94) or shot-creating actions (168) than Fernandes, and he also topped the charts for goals and assists among midfielders. In fact, he is the only midfielder to have finished in the top three for goals and assists in 2020-21.
No midfielder in the league racked up more passes into the penalty area (96) or progressive passes (227) than him, while only Kevin De Bruyne completed more through balls than his 20. Fernandes has also been a leader of men on the pitch for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. He's arguably been the best midfielder in the Premier League since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Also read: Top 5 Premier League clubs whose academy players have played most minutes this season
