Premier League 2018-19: 5 Best Central Midfielders This Season

#3 Declan Rice

Rice has risen to become one of the best in the league

If there is one standout young player amongst the many in the Premier League this season, it should be Declan Rice. Rice primarily played as a centre-back last time around. However, he made an excellent transition to the centre of the midfield this season.

He is a brilliant reader of the game and very swift and incisive with the ball at his feet. He has become a regular presence in West Ham’s midfield this season and has definitely earned his place in the side due to his mature displays and visible improvement in his game.

Rice fills the important hole in front of the backline. To fulfil it, a lot of patience and concentration is required. With such crucial responsibilities up his shoulder, Rice has demonstrated his true temperament and showed that he is here to stay.

He has scored two goals and has an 85.2% passing success rate in the league.

The 20-year-old tackles thrice in each match on an average and could arguably fill up Mark Noble’s role in West Ham’s midfield if the Hammers manage to keep him from moving to other bigger clubs in the league. Pellegrini has commented that Rice is one of the best holding midfielders in England.