EPL 2017/18: 5 best central midfield partnerships going into the season

Defensive midfield is vitally important to any team in the Premier League and a strong partnership is pivotal in winning football matches. Looking at top sides like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and especially Real Madrid, their defensive midfield partnership is crucial to them winning the ball back, passing through the lines and controlling matches.

Which is why Arturo Vidal, Luka Modric, Casemiro and Sergio Busquets are considered as some of the best players in the world, despite not scoring 30+ goals a season. Here we look at five of the best DM partnerships in the Premier League for this forthcoming season:

#5 Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey

Many may not consider this as a strong defensive midfield partnership, but stats suggest otherwise. Since Arsenal began playing a three at the back against Middlesbrough and the two have been playing together, they have lost one competitive match, which was against Tottenham. They have won every other match including extra time victories over Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley.

Their partnership is not considered to be defensive, but with them having a solid three central defenders behind them, they have been able to express themselves and excel with their natural abilities. The two midfielders compliment each other perfectly with Xhaka being a deep playmaker and Ramsey being more of a box to box midfielder.

This means Xhaka can get the ball deep in midfield from anyone across the back five and distribute the ball with Ramsey making runs from midfield. The Arsenal pair may not be your typical ‘strong’ defensive two like a Kante and Bakayoko, but their ball playing abilities mean they could build one of the most formidable partnerships in the league.

#4 N’Golo Kante & Tiemoue Bakayoko

N'Golo Kante will again have to be at his best

Chelsea have had a slightly topsy turvy pre-season. After beating Arsenal 3-0, they suffered defeats at the hands of both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, in games where the results could have been worse than they both were. This suggests that the Kante and Fabregas partnership isn’t going to lead them to another Premier League title.

However, not to worry Chelsea fans, this is why Antonio Conte brought in Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The French midfielder is likely to build a powerful partnership with fellow compatriot N’Golo Kante. Bakayoko, who was signed from Monaco this summer, has very good short range passing and can travel with the ball using his strength effectively. Additionally, he is also able to win the ball back deep in midfield.

Although they have similar skills defensively, Bakayoko offers more ability on the ball, meaning they have the combination of two well drilled defensive midfielders, with one who can pass and dribble quite comfortably. This will surely be an upgrade on Nemanja Matic, who Chelsea sold this summer. Matic had a good range of passing, but less able to carry the ball forward.

Chelsea fans will be in for a treat if the French duo click like they are expected to when Bakayoko recovers from his injury.

#3 Yaya Toure and David Silva

Yaya Toure and David Silva

This could be Yaya Toure’s final season in the Premier League with Manchester City, and he will want to finish on a high. Despite the Ivorian being left out of the squad by Guardiola numerous times at the beginning of last season, he played an important role when he was brought back into the side, and that is likely to continue into this year.

Alongside him is David Silva, who needs no introduction on just how talented the Spaniard is. Playing a deeper role than he maybe would have liked, Silva still played magnificently throughout last season and combined, as usual, well with Toure.

City may suffer slightly defensively with this partnership, but with Toure starting to age and lose his fitness, his role as a defensive midfielder will grow. This then means he will play from deeper in midfield and allow Silva to roam and distribute the ball further up the field.

The two midfielders have great technical ability and this partnership could see them lift the Premier League title once again next summer.

#2 Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele

Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama

The strength that Tottenham’s midfield pair possess is what makes Spurs incredibly hard to break down. Victor Wanyama, in particular, has a huge stature and build in addition to his ability to tackle, making him the rock out of the duo.

On the other hand, what Dembele lacks in defensive ability, he more than makes up for in his ability to travel and dribble with the ball. Right now, few would argue that he is the best at taking the ball forward from deep by dribbling through midfield. The Belgian’s strength and balance as he holds the ball are fantastic, making it so hard for opposition midfielders or defenders to take the ball from him.

The two midfielders have different skills, but it’s what makes them work together so wonderfully. Mauricio Pochettino has what he wants the team to do defensively perfectly drilled into the two, whilst also giving Dembele some freedom to help the team go forward.

If these two can replicate their form from last season, they will certainly be one of the best midfield partnerships in the Premier League.

#1 Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic

Matic will add a lot more steel to the Manchester United

This is a highly anticipated partnership that will undoubtedly be one of the strongest defensively of the five listed. Nemanja Matic formed a very partnership with N’Golo Kante which led Chelsea to the league title last season, and it’s likely he will combine to make a similar one with Spaniard Ander Herrera.

Herrera has slowly become a fan favourite at Old Trafford for his tackling and ball winning ability, which has allowed United to counter attack on a number of occasions. Towards the end of the season, he and record signing Paul Pogba were becoming a formidable force as the two delivered United the Europa League. However, with new signing Matic having arrived, Pogba is expected to move up the pitch in a more attacking role, one which may suit him more.

This means Herrera and Matic will combine to become a defensive midfield partnership, something that will suit the way Jose Mourinho intends to play. Matic is a tall but static midfielder who has good short and long range passing. Herrera is more energetic, similarly to Matic’s previous partner Kante. This, therefore, suggests there will be no reason why the two players will struggle or take time to become familiar with each other.

If Matic and Herrera execute both their skills correctly, they will be a strong defensive midfield partnership this season.