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Although it might look quite simple and straightforward, ball-carrying is quite a difficult aspect of football. The ball doesn’t progress from one end of the pitch to the other automatically. Most managers spend countless hours in training trying to perfect the movements of their team to better execute ball-carrying.
As such, individual players who provide a high amount of influence can often prove to be the difference for their teams. These players often rely on their dribbling, pace, strength and vision to bypass the opposition press and get the ball closer towards the goal.
To categorize the best ball-carrying midfielders in the world we’ve relied on a few key traits: Progressive Distance, Progressions and Carries into the Final Third.
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Progressive distance is the total distance moved by a player in the direction of the opposition goal while controlling the ball at their feet. So, if the player is moving with the ball backwards towards his own goal or moving laterally, it isn’t counted here.
Any carry that moves the ball towards the opposition goal by at least five yards or any carry into the penalty area is called progression. Carries into the final third of the pitch is self-explanatory and data from all three attributes combined can give a clear idea of the players who exert maximum influence.
Now that we know what to look for and how to categorize, let’s talk about the best ball-carrying midfielders in the world right now:
#5 Fede Valverde
Real Madrid have missed the services of Fede Valverde recently. The Uruguayan midfield dynamo suffered a sprain but he’s expected to be back in action soon for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Even after missing seven games due to injury, Valverde is still the best ball-carrying midfielder for Los Blancos, ahead of the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Valverde has covered 1570 yards while progressing the ball towards the opposition goal.
It goes without saying that the Uruguayan has a dynamic presence whenever he’s on the pitch. He makes tremendous use of his engine and is always active.
In midfield, nobody has made more ball progressions than Fede Valverde (61). He’s also only behind star performer Vinicius Jr (40) when it comes to carries that enter the final third of the pitch (32).
#4 Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann will have a massive problem to solve in the coming weeks. With Joshua Kimmich out due to COVID-19, the 34-year-old will have to identify a suitable and efficient replacement in midfield. However, it’s easier said than done.
Kimmich’s stats and numbers are mind-boggling. Not only is he the most progressive ball-carrier for the Bavarian club in the middle of the park, he’s also their best ball-winner in midfield.
Kimmich has completed 1690 yards of progressive distance. Only Serge Gnabry (75), Leroy Sane (65) and Thomas Muller (59) have completed more ball progressions than Joshua Kimmich (55) at Bayern this season.
#3 Nicolo Barella
Inter fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that Nicolo Barella has extended his contract with the club. The Italian midfielder, who is in his third season with the Nerazzurri since joining on an initial loan deal from Cagliari, is now under contract until 2026.
The midfielder was the subject of intense transfer interest in the summer following a successful season with Inter and a remarkable Euro 2020 with Italy. Barella has carried forward that same success and is at the heart of the Inter Milan side.
The Italian is the most progressive carrier in the Inter Milan side with 2029 yards completed this season. He’s also made an astounding 71 ball progressions and 38 carries into the final third of the pitch – also the most in the team. He has also chalked up five assists across all competitions.
#2 Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong is a supremely athletic and gifted midfielder who is arguably the best box-to-box midfielder in the world when in form. De Jong combines all the qualities necessary to be a world-class ball-carrier: he’s fast, he’s strong and agile, he dribbles well, and he can manage the final pass successfully.
De Jong has carried the ball 3359 yards towards the opposition goal across all competitions for Barcelona this season, which includes a progressive distance of 2079 yards.
Only Eric Garcia has a higher tally than De Jong. But to be fair, Garcia is a central defender who is able to find more open spaces than De Jong.
The 24-year-old has also completed 85 successful ball progressions. Nobody at Barcelona has moved the ball closer to the final third of the pitch than De Jong this season (31 times).
His consistency has been a bit of a concern for Barcelona, but the arrival of Xavi has seen him play at a really high level. The Catalan club will be counting on him heavily this season.
#1 Bernardo Silva
There was plenty of speculation surrounding a rumored exit for Bernardo Silva in the summer. Unhappy with not being given enough minutes, the Portuguese wanted to look for a new challenge. However, he ended up staying put at the club and it turned out to be the right decision.
Bernardo has roared back to life this season and has been in impeccable form lately. He has been mostly deployed in central midfield, but on a couple of occasions, he has also played the false-nine role to perfection.
With 2164 yards of progressive distance covered this season, the 27-year-old has been the standout player in City's midfield. He has also made an incredible 126 ball progressions. Bernardo is only behind Jack Grealish and Joao Cancelo in this regard, but both those players get more favourable zones to operate in.
The Portuguese midfield maestro also completed 35 successful carries into the final third of the pitch. Bernardo is at the center of Pep Guardiola’s plans and with him in this kind of form, they are expected to be a problem for any opposition.
