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The indisputable fact in football remains that the importance of goals in the game is unmatched to any other aspect. So naturally, the strikers and forwards are the first to be worshiped and well, the first to be slandered as well. Then there are the defenders, loved for their aggression, physicality and bullyishness.
But Johan Cruyff once said,
"Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed at the right foot of your teammate."
That applies to every footballer, of course, but it is the heart and soul of what a midfielder has to execute with perfection.
The No. 8s in football are tasked with allowing their teams to impose themselves and their tactics while comfortably knocking around the ball. They usually don't bother with unnecessary fouls or breaking the course of play. They ensure that the team values the possession of the ball.
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With a solid No. 8 midfielder in the squad, the manager can set up his tactics in a way that promotes maximum progressive and forward passing. Two of the most legendary players who fit into this bill are Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. They wore the No. 8 jersey for Liverpool and Chelsea respectively and dominated the football pitch like no one else could.
Without much ado, let's take a look at five of the best players who wear the No. 8 in football right now.
#5 Fabian Ruiz
Fabian Ruiz is a household name in Naples who in the past couple of years has rightly been getting the attention he deserves. Since joining Napoli in 2018, the Spaniard has shone amongst various talented names like Lorenzo Insigne, Piotr Zielienski, Allan and others.
Predominantly left-footed, he has often been compared to Cesc Fabregas due to his technically skilled nature. The 25-year-old has shown that he is more than capable of a multifunctional role in midfield. Ruiz has barely revealed any clear weakness in his game.
His contract will run out in 2023 at Napoli and there is an increased interest in the Spaniard. The likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Liverpool are all reportedly weighing their chances. He has been one of the best passers in Serie A in recent years. His timely contributions to goals make him a desirable prospect as the No.8.
Ruiz is on his way to one of his most prolific seasons from midfield. He has already contributed five goals and two assists in 15 games this season. Moreover, the fact that the Napoli midfielder has been the target for most passes of all players in Serie A explains his importance to the team.
#4 Mateo Kovacic
The unsung hero, gone under the radar and quite underrated, are some of the phrases we have commonly heard fans speak for Mateo Kovacic. In the last couple of seasons, he has once again shone his true abilities, the reason why Real Madrid signed him from Inter Milan.
The Chelsea No.8 is out injured at the moment. The impact of his absence can clearly be witnessed when the Blues take to the field. Progressive runs from behind to carry the ball right into the final third and to play quick give-and-go football are his trademarks.
But make no mistake, he holds the ball under pressure to great effect as well. Kovacic has been one of Chelsea's best dribblers since joining them and has been equally impactful while defending with his tackles.
The Croatian has been at his best when utilized as a box-to-box midfielder. He acts as a glue between the offensive and defensive guards of the team. The 27-year-old has made 423 appearances in senior club football and with the age by his side, he still has his best years in him.
He already boasts four Champions League medals and it will be interesting to see how many more Kovacic can add to that tally.
#3 Leon Goretzka
When people mention Leon Goretzka these days, the first thing they tend to bring up is his incredible transformation. Make no mistake, he deserves all the credit for working on himself. It is not the easiest thing to do, but ultimately he did it for his game. His game, yes, that needs to be talked about more.
If there's one man you don't want to tussle with in the midfield, it has to be Goretzka. With his big frame, the Bayern Munich No.8 is quick to impose himself on the opposition midfield. He suffocates space well and makes the most of his duels.
His aerial prowess is not spoken about enough. With his height and strength he is one of the biggest threats in set-piece situations and corners. Yet, despite being the 'ultimate muscle' of the Bavarians, he is not short on the ability to pick the perfect pass with absolute poise.
Since joining Bayern Munich as a free-agent, the German midfielder has made 120 appearances scoring 27 times and laying 28 assists. Goretzka stands out with his gazelle like bursts into the penalty box and you wouldn't dare come into his path. Now that's what you call an absolutely beautiful bargain.
#2 Ilkay Gündogan
Back in his Borussia Dortmund days, Ilkay Gundogan was one of the most exciting prospects in German football. However, over the years his craze faded away. He did what he did, stringing passes, making intelligent runs and scoring the odd goal. But fans anticipated something special and it never truly came.
This is not to say that you can remove him from the Manchester City midfield and you won't feel the impact. But there was a feeling that he never truly touched his ceiling or just showed glimpses of reaching there.
Last season, however, Gundogan rolled back the years. He reignited a youthful exuberance at 30 and performed worth every penny Manchester City spent on him (£20 million).
He scored 13 goals in 28 games in the Premier League last season. This put Pep Guardiola's side in a strong position to claim their third title in four years. Injuries have been unkind to the German but whenever he features, he gives every ounce of what he has on the pitch.
His intensity, quick thinking and movement make him the ideal player for a Pep Guardiola team. Gundogan's passing accuracy has been high since arriving at the Etihad. His off-the-ball movement has always been crucial in making space for his teammates.
He made the Premier League team of the year in the 2020-21 season and has accumulated 10 trophies in his career. The 31-year old is definiely one of the best No. 8s in the game today. He has gone under the radar for a long time due to his stats.
#1 Toni Kroos
There is no better orchestrator of the game from the midfield when your team is enjoying possession than Real Madrid lynchpin Toni Kroos. The 31-year-old has made 587 senior appearances at club level and has been undroppable regardless of the outfit he has worn.
For the last decade, there has not been a more consistent deep-lying playmaker than the German. There has been no shortage of silverware in his career. Kroos has laid his claim to three Bundesliga titles, four Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles.
He has a metronomic nature of passing. The precise weight of his deliveries and the vision to spot players in the most remote areas of the pitch make him unique. He can almost willingly switch the tempo of the game. He can increase it when his team is going all-out attack and steady it when the opposition starts to grow in the game.
Kroos arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2014 from Bayern Munich. Since then, he has maintained an incredible passing accuracy of more than 90% in every single season in La Liga. Indeed one could make a compilation of his best passes since he started playing and it will be a piece of art.
The 31-year old was injured this season and missed a few games at the start of the season. But since his arrival Real Madrid are back to their best. There has been speculation that Kroos might be on the move next season to look for a new challenge. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is greatly interested in his services.
Also read: Ranking the 5 best active footballers who wear No.11
