Performance analysis of 2019 Ballon d’Or nominees for the period Jan to Oct' 19, Part 2: Midfielders

Modified Nov 01, 2019 14:22 GMT

Dusan Tadic is one of 9 midfielders nominated for the 2019 Ballon d'Or

#6 Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)

An injured Kevin de Bruyne missed large swathes of the 2018-19 season. He scored a goal in 13 Premier League games in the first half of the year as Manchester City held off a determined challenge from Liverpool to successfully defend their Premier League title.

The versatile central midfield player has scored three times in 12 club games in 2019-20 and has also twice found the back of the net in four Euro 2020 Qualifying games for Belgium.

De Bruyne has scored 10 goals and has provided 20 assists in 39 games for club and country during the first 10 months of the calendar year.

#5 João Félix (Atlético Madrid and Portugal)

João Félix scored 13 goals in 20 Portuguese Liga games as Benfica romped to the league title. The 19-year-old was promptly snapped up by Atlético Madrid for €126m during the off-season after his stellar performances in his native country.

Félix is a versatile player who often plays as a winger or as a second striker. The teenager's creativity and ability to pick out teammates belie his age.

Félix has scored three times for his new club Atlético in 11 games in all competitions, which includes two goals in the Primera Liga and one in the Champions League.

JoÃ£o FÃ©lix in 2019 — João Félix in 2019

#4 Donny van de Beek (Ajax, Netherlands)

Donny Van de Beek played a stellar role at Ajax, inspiring the club to a semifinal run in the Champions League (lost to Tottenham Hotspur).

Since the turn of the year, Van de Beek has scored five goals in the Eredivisie and three in the Dutch Cup with Ajax winning titles in both competitions. As is mostly the case with Dutch players, Van de Beek has outstanding tactical awareness, discipline and a range of passing skills - attributes when combined with his explosive pace make him an indispensable part of team.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has scored 4 goals in 15 club games this season and has scored 14 times in 45 games for club and country during the first 10 months of the season.

Edited by Musab Abid