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Europe's top five leagues are still in their nascent stages this season, with some managers yet to find a combination that fits well and can drive their teams forward. However, there are a few players who have solved some of their manager's problems single-handedly, marshaling the midfield with aplomb.
The midfield is a bridge that joins the team's defense with attack, making midfielders' jobs in the center of the park all the more important. Here, we will list down the midfielders who have brought out their best with the commencement of the new season.
From team-mates to managers and fans, everyone backing them will want these midfielders to continue their rich vein of form. It goes without saying that should they maintain their promising start, the season could turn out to be quite rewarding for them as well.
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On that note, here are the five best midfielders in the world right now based on WhoScored ratings:
#5 Mateo Kovacic (7.56)
The Chelsea midfielder has carried on in a similar vein to what he did last season and is fifth on the list of the world's best midfielders currently based on ratings. He has chipped in with five assists and a goal in just nine Premier League appearances this season.
The former Real Madrid star has played an important role in Chelsea's clinical performances this season which have seen them cement their position at the top of the league table.
Among the five midfielders on this list, Kovacic has made the most successful tackles per 90 minutes with 2.7. He only gets dribbles past once every match, which is better than three midfielders on this list. The 27-year-old has been exceptional with his passing too, making just 1.9 and 4.8 inaccurate long and short passes per match respectively.
#4 Joshua Kimmich (7.62)
Joshua Kimmich is considered one of the best all-round midfielders in the game and he has lived up to the billing this season as well. In nine Bundesliga appearances so far this term, he has scored three goals and provided four assists to his team-mates.
Kimmich has been on point with his passing too and has made the third-most passes per 90 minutes among all midfielders in Europe's top five leagues with 78.3. Only Sergio Busquets (80.1) and Johan Gastien (79.7) have attempted more passes per match in the 2021-22 season.
The 26-year-old has made 1.3 interceptions per 90 minutes, the joint-best on this list, too. Bayern Munich will consider it nothing short of a blessing having him in their ranks.
#3 Florian Wirtz (7.64)
The Bayer Leverkusen teenager has already scored four goals and made six assists in seven league appearances this season. To compare how far he has come in just a season, Wirtz scored only five goals and registered six assists in 29 matches during the 2020-21 season. This more or less justifies his third spot on the list of the world's best midfielders currently.
Operating mainly as an attacking midfielder, the 18-year-old has made 2.6 key passes every 90 minutes this season - 10th most of all the midfielders in Europe's top five leagues.
Wirtz's consistency can be highlighted by the fact that he has had a goal contribution in each of his seven Bundesliga appearances this season. In the Europa League this season, the youngster has two goals, one each in both the matches that he has started.
#2 Idrissa Gueye (7.69)
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is second on the list of currently the world's best midfielders based on WhoScored ratings. Playing as a defensive midfielder, Gueye has still managed to score three goals in Ligue 1 for the Paris-based club this season.
The 32-year-old is joint 10th on the midfielders' list of most attempted tackles per 90 minutes in Europe's top five leagues with 5.3. Three of those tackles are successful per match as well, more than any other player on this list.
Gueye has also attempted 69.3 passes per match this season, behind only Joshua Kimmich among the midfielders mentioned here.
#1 Téji Savanier (7.73)
Completing the Ligue 1 one-two on this list is Montpellier's Teji Savanier, who is currently the highest-rated midfielder in the world, thanks to an exceptional start to the 2021-22 season.
In nine league appearannces, the 29-year-old has scored two goals and provided four assists. The central midfielder has been one of the best long-passers in Europe's top five leagues this season. He has played an average of 7.2 successful long balls in every match, second only to Clermont Foot's Johan Gastien among all midfielders.
Savanier has played 2.7 key passes every 90 minutes this season - ninth highest by any midfielder in Europe's top five leagues - half of which have come through long balls.
