Best center-midfielders from each of Europe's top 5 leagues

We have witnessed brilliant midfielders in the last decade, with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard just to name a few. Midfielders are the most hard-working players on the pitch. They have to be perpetual throughout the 90 minutes, dictate the play, set up or score goals and help their team to win the ball back from the opposition.

Best teams in the world have one thing in common- a solid midfield.

Here we pick best center-midfielders from each of Europe's top-5 leagues.

Note: The center-midfielders in this list are picked up on the basis of their performances in their respective leagues this season. Hence, some of the well-known, famous midfielders might not feature in the list. We have backed our choices with stats.

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#5 Ligue 1

Player: Téji Savanier

Club: Nîmes Olympique

Nimes's Téji Savanier

Téji Savanier is loving life in Ligue 1 this season, after leading Nimes to a promotion at the end of last season. Savanier has been brilliant and his newly promoted side sit 11th on the table away from the relegation zone, thanks to his inspiring performances throughout this season.

The 27-year-old midfielder has 4 goals and 9 assists so far this season. What catches our eyes is his overall contribution across the pitch, where he works hard defensively and averages 3.3 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 1.9 aerial duels per game.

In attack, he averages 2.1 shots, 2.6 key passes, and 2.3 dribbles per game in Ligue 1.

His stats are better than any center-midfielder currently playing in Ligue 1, but does not get the recognition as he does not belong to one of the top guns in France.

We can only hope that in due time, his work gets acknowledged and attains the respect that he deserves.

#4 Bundesliga

Player: Kerem Demirbay

Club: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's Kerem Demirbay

Kerem Demirbay has been spectacular for Hoffenheim this season. He joined Hoffenheim from Hamburger SV back in 2016 and has been an integral part of Julian Nagelsmann's side.

He has scored 12 goals and contributed 19 assists in 66 appearances for Hoffenheim so far. The 25-year-old German international has 4 goals and 6 assists for Hoffenheim this season in the Bundesliga.

The center-midfielder has the ability to pick a brilliant pass from midfield as well as to drive the ball from midfield into the attacking third. He averages 2.1 key passes and 2 dribbles per game in midfield.

He also has the knack of scoring goals and averages 1.9 shots per game. The midfielder also completes 2.1 tackles per game, exhibiting his excellent defensive contribution.

Hoffenheim's midfield dynamo is comfortable playing as a number 6, a number 8 or a number 10, where his versatility makes him one of the best there is in the league.

#3 Serie A

Player: Miralem Pjanić

Club: Juventus

Juventus's Miralem Pjanić is considered amongst the best midfielders in the world

The Bosnian international is considered amongst the best center-midfielders in the world. Juventus bought Miralem Pjanić from AS Roma back in 2016 for a reported fee of €32m.

He has thus far made 84 appearances for The Old Lady, scoring 16 times and contributing to 25 assists. The 28-year-old likes to keep hold of the ball and dictate the play from midfield. He has great vision in the field and completes 90.7% of his attempted passes and averages 65 passes per game.

The midfielder is astute defensively and wins 1.6 tackles per game and completes 1.1 interceptions per game.

On the attacking front, he's the creative backbone of the team. He averages 2.2 key passes per game for Juventus across all competitions so far this season in the Serie A.

The Bosnian has 4 goals and 3 assists so far this season and will surely continue to be a maestro with the ball in midfield.

#2 La Liga

Player: Daniel Parejo

Club: Valencia CF

Valencia's Dani Parejo has been exceptional this season

The 29-year old is tearing up the La Liga this season. The Spaniard has been a long-term servant at the club and has thus far has made 237 appearances for the club, scoring 44 and assisting another 38 in the process.

His stats are remarkable this season, which made us pick him above the likes of Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Saúl Ñíguez, and other world-class midfielders in the league.

The center-midfielder has 8 goals and 3 assists across all competitions for Valencia this season.

He completes 86% of his attempted passes and has the ability to aggressively drive the ball from midfield into the attacking third. In attack, the midfielder averages 2.4 key passes, 1.2 shots, and 1.5 dribbles per game.

The captain is leading his team from the front with his brilliant performances and will surely influence the squad's mindset at the same time.

#1 Premier League

Player: Paul Pogba

Club: Manchester United

The Red Devils' star midfielder

Paul Pogba has been criticised a lot for his exuberant lifestyle but is now proving his doubters wrong by putting in exceptional work each game.

The 26-year old has transformed into the league's best midfielder since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, where the Frenchman has scored 15 goals and contributed 10 assists this season in the Premier League.

The 6'3'' midfielder has great dribbling, bags of pace and can pick out long-range passes from midfield. He has an average of 1.5 dribbles per game.

The World Cup 2018 winner has so far had 1.7 aerial duels and 1 tackle per game.

He averages 2.5 shots and 1.5 key passes per game. It goes to show his willingness to score for the team. He also holds a strong influence for everyone else in the locker room.

The midfielder is justifying why he's considered one of the best midfielders in the world with his performances on the pitch.