5 best midfielders in the La Liga this season

#2 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)

Rakitic in action during Barca's Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid recently

A key member for both club and country, Ivan Rakitic provides tireless work ethic, goals and assists - having asserted himself as a mainstay in Barca's midfield after arriving from Sevilla for a shrewd £16.2m fee back in the summer of 2014.

Often known as Ernesto Valverde's favourite, Rakitic is often one of the first on the team-sheet and this has been used to criticise the manager at times too when the Croatian doesn't have a good game.

His insistence to utilise the Croatian is justified though - his playing style suits the team and while his goal contribution statistics aren't as good as they can be (five goals, seven assists in all comps), it's because he's unselfish enough to play deeper roles in midfield to support Busquets while allowing the forward players more possession in the final third.