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The all-important quadrennial FIFA World Cup drew to a close on 15 July 2018 in grand fashion, with France clinching their second title following the 1998 triumph.
Needless to say, the competition had it all. While it furnished us with thrills and spills, it also led to massive changes in the values of different players, owing to their exploits in Russia. There is no doubt that the business in the ongoing transfer window will be profoundly affected by the contest.
In a football world reigned by forwards, the most unhonoured presence on the pitch is probably of a midfielder. A player playing on the aforementioned position has the most pivotal role during a match, controlling the entire game from the core of the pitch.
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On that note, here we take a look at the top 10 most valuable midfielders in the world right now.
Market values for a particular player are calculated by how well they play, age, their marketability and ability to sell shirts.
Values courtesy – Transfermarkt
Note: Market values represent what their actual price in the transfer market is supposed to be and not the current inflated amounts.
#10 Toni Kroos - €80 million
It goes without saying that the most sensational shock of the World Cup was the premature departure of the defending champions - Germany - from the group stage itself.
And one player who was particularly underwhelming for Die Mannschaft was the Real Madrid superstar - Toni Kroos. In the entirety of the tournament, the German was a watered-down adaptation of his former self as he failed to live up to his billing.
Nevertheless, he has still made the cut for the list by reason of a stellar season with Real Madrid where he was an instrumental figure in the club's road to the Champions League three-peat.
The 28-year-old is the driving force of Los Blancos in tandem with Luka Modric, courtesy of his inch-perfect passes, mental composure and tactical intelligence that has cemented his position at Santiago Bernabeu.
#9 Sergio Busquets - €80 million
Arguably the best defensive midfielder in the football world for a long time now, Sergio Busquets is the linchpin of Barcelona's midfield.
Just like any other midfielder, his crucial role in Barcelona's domestic campaign last season remained largely unacknowledged as La Blaugrana went on to clinch the La Liga and Copa Del Rey.
In the Primera Divison, Busquets created 20 chances and three assists. He also completed 1650 passes with a pass accuracy of 90%, of which 76% were forward passes.
#8 Christian Eriksen - €80 million
Presently, Christian Eriksen is being tirelessly pursued by FC Barcelona post the momentous departures of Andres Iniesta and Paulinho from the club.
And if the deal is materialized, it could easily break the £100 million barrier in the light of Eriksen's magnetic stature in the transfer market.
The 26-year-old possesses a penchant for cutting inside and playing long balls for his team-mates, an ability he excels at, allowing him to build up play from the back without much difficulty.
Consequently, his amazing vision, decent passing, and intelligent movement has made him an in-demand midfielder, with his market value experiencing a significant acclivity.
#7 James Rodríguez - €80 million
Due to the dearth of game time under Zidane at Real Madrid, James Rodriguez was compelled to join Bayern Munich on loan in July 2017.
He made great strides at Allianz Arena in his debut season, netting 8 goals and engineering 14 assists in the 39 appearances he made. The Colombian was not able to make much of an impact apart from 2 assists in the World Cup in the wake of his injury which also saw him absent in the Round of 16 clash with England.
Nevertheless, his market value has continued to rise in defiance of a below-par World Cup campaign.
#6 N'Golo Kanté - €80 million
He is short, he is nice, he’s the one, who stopped Leo Messi, but we all know he's a cheater at cards, N'Golo Kante!
It is safe to say that the former Leicester City midfielder had an enjoyable time at the 2018 World Cup. The Frenchman was an omnipresent figure on the pitch, helping the rearguard ward off the challenges peppered at them.
In the modern football, Kante is one of the most diligent midfielders with a work rate that is almost unmatchable.
In consequence, he is wanted by many high-profile clubs, including the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
#5 Paul Pogba - €90 million
It is odd to think that Sir Alex Ferguson who is billed as 'the greatest manager of all-time' let Pogba go for FREE back in 2012.
Also Read: Top 5 free transfers of this decade
Over the course of the past few years, the Frenchman has merchandised himself as probably the most promising talent across Europe. Only 25 years old, Paul Pogba is at the peak of his powers and has just won the World Cup, which has seen his market value soar exponentially.
Despite finding himself in the firing line in his first season at The Old Trafford, Pogba has remained in favour with Jose Mourinho, who has continued to place him in the starting XI.
#4 Sergej Milinković-Savić - €90 million
Nicknamed the 'Sergeant', Sergej Milinković-Savić has established himself as a hot property in the ongoing transfer window by virtue of a couple of impressive seasons at Lazio, with several top-notch clubs craving the Serbian's signature.
Under the tutelage of Simone Inzaghi, the 23-year-old has improved his style of play by leaps and bounds, becoming the beating heart of a vibrant side that ended the Serie A in the fifth place.
Milinković-Savić has often been compared to the likes of Paul Pogba, Zinedine Zidane and Yaya Touré. The former Genk star possesses all the tools to dominate the middle third of the pitch; he is strong in the air, good at snatching possession, boasts excellent passing technique along with tremendous vision, flawless close control and the ability to make runs forward.
#3 Dele Alli - €100 million
Dele Alli is a prized asset of Tottenham Hotspur, who has made a name for himself since joining The Lilywhites in 2015.
He is not only a creative player who can find crucial breakthroughs for his team but can also bring out the best in his teammates.
Harry Kane is a great example of how Alli influences the players around him. The prolific goal scorer's success has not come entirely due to his individual brilliance but can partly be attributed to Spurs' imaginative midfield, which Dele Alli is the kingpin of.
With the Englishman only 22 years old and relishing the pinnacle of his career, many clubs are keeping close tabs on him.
#2 Philippe Coutinho - €120 million
Having completed a high-stakes £142 million move to Barcelona in January 2018, Coutinho has fastened his position at the Camp Nou via his back-to-back performances for the La Blaugrana.
On top of that, the 26-year-old was by far the best performer for Seleção as he racked up 2 goals and as many assists in the 5 appearances he made during the World Cup. Nevertheless, Neymar's theatrics made him the unsung hero of the team.
Coutinho is a tactically versatile player who can feature as an attacking midfielder, on the flanks and as a second striker. The Brazilian has a proclivity for Robben-ing his way inside before leathering the ball into the far corner, which has made him a menacing sight for the defenders.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne - €150 million
Capable of dominating the midfield battle almost single-handedly, De Bruyne can be a devastating and intimidating presence in the centre of the pitch. His long-range shooting and neat passes have enabled him to excel under Pep Guardiola.
The Belgian's paramount importance to Manchester City's success can be summed up by Guardiola's below statement:
I think he is a special, outstanding player. He makes everything. Without the ball, he is the first fighter, and with the ball he is clear – he sees absolutely everything.
The 27-year-old has gained a meteoric rise in his market value as a consequence of Belgium's favorable World Cup run in which De Bruyne played a key role.
