10 best midfielders in world football at the moment

#8 Paulinho - Barcelona

Athletic Club v Barcelona - La Liga

I'll get plenty of hate for this, but the truth is that at the moment Paulinho is probably Barcelona's best midfielder, you know, apart from the times that Leo Messi decides to drop into midfield and show everyone how it's done. Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Denis Suarez simply have been quite middling in their performances, with Paulinho perhaps now Barca's most crucial midfielder.

It's a far cry from before the Brazilian had even kicked a ball for the Blaugrana, as his signing from Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande received plenty of criticism, especially for the €40 million fee.

4 months into the season and Paulinho has firmly shoved the words of critics back into their throats, with his high-energy style a breath of fresh air, in addition to his combination play with Lionel Messi catching the eye. Crucial winners against Getafe and Bilbao have also endeared him to the Nou Camp faithful.