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The Premier League saw a brilliant performance from Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay last night as they beat Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford. The Scotsman scored a stunning goal and was involved in helping Cristiano Ronaldo score one against the Clarets.
This goes to show how much a midfielder can influence a game in the Premier League. It only gets better when the midfield player can contribute on a regular basis.
Premier League midfielders have been stunning in 2021
This year there have been some unbelievable performances from Premier League midfielders. Irrespective of age, experience and the opposition, the quality shown by these players has been top-class.
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Courtesy of their performances, the Premier League was more entertaining in 2021. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top midfielders in the league this calendar year.
#10 Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
The 24-year old has been a vital player for Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers. With his vision and exquisite passing range, Youri Tielemans is quite good at creating from midfield.
He made the fourth-highest number of passes (212) last season in the Premier League. Over time, Tielemans has become very effective with his tackling. Last season, he contributed in 10 goals. With seven goal contributions to his name in the 2021-22 campaign, the Belgian midfielder remains an interesting player to watch.
#9 Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
It was rumored in the summer transfer window that Bernardo Silva might opt to leave Manchester City citing game-time issues. Luckily, nothing materialized and things have drastically changed for the Portuguese this season.
Bernardo Silva has scored seven goals in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign. Dribbling past players 42 times this season, he's the third best player in doing that. His ability to carry the ball with speed and be creative at the same time has proved to be a blessing for Pep Guardiola.
The Portuguese midfielder has been very lively in midfield and has done well with his high work-rate. Bernardo Silva has surely merited a place in the starting XI this season and will be looking to continue with the same form in 2022.
#8 Jorginho (Chelsea)
The Italian midfielder has had a superb year. After winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea last season, Jorginho went on to win Euro 2020 with Italy.
His form in the Premier League has been great too. Jorginho scored seven goals last season and has already scored seven goals in the league in just 17 matches. All of these goals have come through penalties. Besides that, his composure and incisive passing have been quite helpful to the Blues in 2021.
#7 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
The Premier League is blessed to witness N'Golo Kante play in England's top-tier league. The Frenchman has been a class act both on and off the pitch.
With his relentless and tremendously high work-rate, N'Golo Kante has been an engine in midfield. He has been a massive player for Chelsea. Despite being sidelined by injuries, the French midfielder won the seventh-most number of tackles (57) in the Premier League last season.
His partnership alongside Jorginho has been very fruitful for Chelsea as it has allowed their attackers to go full throttle. The 2021-22 season has shown how the Blues struggle without Kante, only proving how vital he is for them.
#6 Fabinho (Liverpool)
From one defensive midfielder to another. Fabinho has been immense for Liverpool when given the opportunity. His ability to play both as a defensive player and as a centre-back has come in handy for Jurgen Klopp.
Last season, the Brazilian was quite effective playing as a central defender as his timely tackles and exceptional reading of the game brought stability at the back. With more game-time, Fabinho will surely come further into the limelight and get the appreciation he deserves.
#5 Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Many feared that Ilkay Gundogan would not be the same player he once was with the injuries he suffered at Borussia Dortmund. After initially struggling at Manchester City, the German midfielder came to life in 2021.
Ilkay Gundogan scored 13 goals and recorded 2 assists in just 28 matches in the Premier League last season. His smart runs into the box have helped him convert half chances into goals. Even in the current season, the 31-year old has scored four times and registered three assists. Gundogan's experience and technical skills will be of great help to Manchester City this season.
#4 Mason Mount (Chelsea)
The Premier League has some really talented youngsters and Mason Mount is one of them. The young Englishman has flourished well under the management of Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
Mason Mount scored six goals and recorded five assists last season and has continued with his great form in the 2021-22 campaign. With only 13 Premier League starts under his belt, the English midfielder has already scored seven times and registered five assists.
His attacking instincts and clever play have been beneficial for Chelsea. Having been involved in 12 goals this season, Mason Mount ranks as the third best player when it comes to contributing goals and assists in the Premier League this season.
#3 Declan Rice (West Ham United)
The Premier League is full of talented midfielders but not many are as impactful as Declan Rice is. The Englishman has been in stellar form for West Ham United in 2021 and had a great Euro 2020 as well.
The 22-year old is capable of playing in multiple positions in midfield and can also play as a centre-back. Declan Rice's game is not about goals or assists but about the stability and control that he brings to the game-play. With his smart reading, amazing composure, fine passing and creative abilities, the youngster already looks like a complete midfielder.
Declan Rice has made the second-most number of interceptions (68) and (53) last season and this season respectively. With an output of 89.2%, he was the most successful dribbler in the Premier League last season.
He was linked with both Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer transfer window but nothing materialized. Given his performance in 2021, it is almost inevitable that he will join a top Premier League club come next summer.
#2 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes has been a game-changer for Manchester United ever since he arrived in the Premier League in 2019. With 18 goals last season, he was the third-highest goal-scorer in the league.
He also made the most number of key passes (94) last season, generating the second-most number of assists (12) in the process. Bruno Fernandes' incisive passing and amazing creative abilities have been a delight to watch. His hunger to create and score goals is incomparable.
The Portuguese maestro has scored 5 goals and recorded 3 assists in the current ongoing Premier League season. He might not be at his best currently but he remains as one of the best playmakers in the league right now.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The Belgian midfielder was sidelined with injury for a considerable amount of time last season. Kevin De Bruyne managed to make only 25 Premier League appearances in the 2020-21 campaign.
Despite that, he managed to score six times and register 12 assists. He had the best assists per game ratio, assisting after every 166 minutes and also making the second-most number of assists last season. With a goal contribution ratio of 1.06 per 90 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne ensured he was involved in a goal every game in the 2020-21 season.
The Manchester City midfielder has been in good form this season too. With 35 key passes, he ranks third among the most number of key passes made in the 2021-22 campaign. It is difficult to stop Kevin De Bruyne when he is in this kind of form. With his world-class passing range and superb long-range goal-scoring abilities, he has been fabulous to watch in 2021.
