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Midfielders are recognized as the backbone of a football team and there's a reason for that. If they have a good game, the whole team seems to function better and there is a noticable difference should they have an off day.
La Liga, Spain's top-flight is recognized for the technical ability on display from various players and teams, and the league is full of world-class stars in almost every position, including midfield.
There have been so many midfielders this season in the Spanish league, who have been absolutely vital for their respective teams. Here, we take a look at five of them, who have taken the 2019/2020 season by storm.
5. Dani Parejo
Valencia's Dani Parejo has been the backbone of his side for quite some time now and this season, he has been among the best in La Liga. The Spanish international is an intelligent midfielder whose versatility allows him to play many positions, ranging from a number six to number ten.
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He has primarily played as a number eight this season and he has excelled doing that, contributing 6 goals and 3 assists in Spain's top-flight, which is not a bad tally for someone who is known to dictate play as well. Furthermore, the 30-year-old is a set-piece specialist, which adds another layer to Valencia play and makes them very dangerous on corners and free-kicks.
This season, the Spaniard has averaged 85 touches per game, with a passing accuracy of 86%, while defensively, he has won 67% of his tackles, with 14 clearances, and 16 interceptions. Parejo is very important to Valencia's chances of making the top four this season as the Los Che are targeting Champions League football next season.
4. Martin Odegaard
Another Norwegian youngster who is making waves in Europe with his performances is Real Sociedad's Martin Odegaard. The 21-year-old is the definition of a creative midfielder who can pull off some otherworldly passes and help improve the team's efficiency in the attacking third.
The Norwegian has predominantly played on the right-hand side of a midfield three for Sociedad and he has excelled in that role. After receiving the ball and getting it under control, Odegaard drives inside from the right and picks out the runners who time their arrivals into the box.
This season, he has scored 4 goals and assisted a further 5. Over this, he also averages 76 touches per game which is a high number for someone who usually operates further up the field. There are many clubs interested in his services and it would prove very difficult for Sociedad to keep their youngster next season.
3. Santi Cazorla
A player who seems to be getting better with age is Villarreal's creator in-chief Santi Cazorla. The former Arsenal player joined the Yellow Submarine during the 2018 summer transfer window and since then, he has been one of the best players in Spain's top-flight.
This season, he has taken his game to another level and he's playing the way he did before he suffered a horrible ankle injury in 2016, which kept him out of football for over a year. But the Spaniard is back with a bang and due to his performances this season, Luis Enrique, Spain's manager might be looking at the 35-year-old for UEFA Euro 2020.
Cazorla, this season, has scored 8 goals from midfield in the Spanish league, providing a further 5 assists. Defensively, he has won 44% of his tackles and 52% of his duels, to go along with 4 clearances, and 8 interceptions.
2. Toni Kroos
One of the best midfielders of this generation, Toni Kroos is having a superb season so far after having a season to forget last year. Real Madrid's midfield engine has dominated games this season, doing what he does best - dictate play and progressing the ball forward with ease.
Playing on the left-hand side of a midfield three and sometimes in a double-pivot, the German has been Zinedine Zidane's controller from the middle of the park, switching play left to right in his trademark nonchalance and providing deadly set-piece deliveries.
This season, the 30-year-old has scored 3 goals and assisted 4 in La Liga, to go along with an impressive 96 touches per game and a pass accuracy of 94%. The German international is also very underrated defensively as he has won 45% of his tackles, with 7 clearances and 15 interceptions.
1. Casemiro
Casemiro has been a class apart in La Liga this season, as he has been by far Zinedine Zidane's most important player. The Brazilian is one of the best, if not the best defensive midfielder in the world and his reading of the game is absolutely incredible.
He knows what pass will be played by the opposition attacker even before he has played it, which is a rare trait to find in a footballer. His intelligence on and off the ball makes him stand out, along with his ability to protect his defenders and cover for them.
This season, in Spain's top-flight, the 27-year-old has scored 3 goals, to go along with 3 assists and a passing accuracy of 84%. Defensively, he has won 61% of his tackles, 59% of his duels, with 25 clearances, and 35 interceptions.
Honourable Mentions: Saul Niguez, Federico Valverde, Thomas Partey, Ever Banega, and Frenkie de Jong.
