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Midfielders run games and top sides require quality midfielders if they intend to have a good season. The Premier League tends to produce world-class midfielders regularly, and this season has been no different.
In a league which has given us the likes of Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, various midfielders have had a good season this time around. We look at:
Top 10 Premier League midfielders this season
#10 JAMES MADDISON, LEICESTER CITY
James Maddison has been linked with a big-money move away from Leicester City, and it is clear to see why.
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The England international joined Leicester City from Norwich City in 2018 for a fee of £20 million. He has been everpresent for the Foxes since then, playing in both central as well as attacking midfielder positions.
This season, the 23-year old has made 31 appearances in the league, scoring six goals and providing three assists. He leads the squad for shots per game as well as key passes per game. He has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Manchester City, with Leicester expected to pocket a major profit if the move occurs.
#9 JACK GREALISH, ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa are fighting relegation this season, and not many players can hold their head high. Captain Jack Grealish is an exception, though.
The Aston Villa academy graduate has been the club's best player this season. The 24-year old plays predominantly as a left-winger or an attacking midfielder, and has impressed with his creativity and work-rate.
Yet to make his debut for the England national team, it is expected that England manager Gareth Southgate will call him up sooner rather than later. This season, he has played 33 games in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and providing six assists. He leads the Villa squad for shots per game and key passes per game, coming second for dribbles per game. He has been persistently linked with a move to Manchester United, with certain reports claiming that the deal is already done.
Also Read: All Premier League winners by year
#8 FABINHO, LIVERPOOL
When Fabinho moved to Liverpool from Monaco for a fee of £39 million in 2018, it surprised many. Liverpool had not been linked with the defensive midfielder, but had quietly got the deal done.
The Brazil international has been a vital player ever since. He has played important roles in the club's Champions League and Premier League triumph, with his intelligent reading and defensive nous helping Liverpool.
This season, he has made 27 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side in the league. The 26-year old leads the Liverpool squad for tackles per game and comes third for interceptions per game.
Also Read: All EPL top scorers by season
#7 DAVID SILVA, MANCHESTER CITY
David Silva has announced that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, disappointing many.
Silva is regarded as one of the finest midfielders to have played in the league. He joined Manchester City from Valencia in 2010 for a fee of £25 million. Over the next decade, he would go on to make over 400 appearances in all competitions for the club. The Spain international played a vital role in City's transformation into one of the biggest clubs in the world.
The 34-year old has made 26 appearances in the league so far, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists. Manager Pep Guardiola would be loath to let go of him. The former Celta Vigo player has been linked with moves to the MLS, China and a return to Valencia.
#6 MATEO KOVACIC, CHELSEA
After impressing on loan the season before, Chelsea decided to buy Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid permanently for a fee of £40 million.
Kovacic has been Chelsea's best midfielder this season. A precocious talent during his Inter Milan days, the Croatia international has finally started performing at the level many expected him to.
A good passer and an excellent dribbler, Kovacic has excelled in a deeper midfield role with the London club. This season, he has made 29 appearances in the league, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He leads the Chelsea squad for dribbles per game, registering good defensive numbers as well.
#5 RODRI, MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City's club-record transfer, Rodri joined the club from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £63 million last summer.
Seen as the eventual heir to Fernandinho's throne, Rodri has been impressive in his first season at the club. The 24-year old is an intelligent reader of the game, with good passing and physicality.
Fernandinho has often played as a centre-back this season, enabling Rodri to play in midfield. The Spain international has made 33 appearances in the league, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
#4 WILFRED NDIDI, LEICESTER CITY
Another Leicester City player who has been linked with a move away. Wilfred Ndidi is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, and rightly so.
Ndidi joined the Foxes from Genk in 2017 for a fee of £17 million, and he has been one of the first names on the teamsheet ever since. Extremely strong defensively, Ndidi also possesses good passing ability.
The Nigeria international has played 29 games in the league for Brendan Rodgers' men this season. The 23-year old has scored two goals and provided an assist. He manages an extraordinary 6.3 tackles and interceptions per game.
He has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Juventus in the past.
Also Read: 10 best forwards in the Premier League this season
#3 BRUNO FERNANDES, MANCHESTER UNITED
What a signing! Bruno Fernandes' £47 million move from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United this January has changed the fortunes of the Red Devils.
Fernandes has added much-needed creativity and confidence from midfield, taking over the role of talisman for the club. The Portugal international's blossoming midfield partnership with Paul Pogba has also been much talked about.
Fernandes is yet to lose a game in the Premier League. The 25-year old has made 11 appearances in the league, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists. He leads the Manchester United squad for shots per game as well as key passes per game.
#2 JORDAN HENDERSON, LIVERPOOL
Jordan Henderson has captained Liverpool to a Premier League triumph, something which even the legendary Steven Gerrard couldn't do.
The 30-year old joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011 for a fee of £20 million. Nearly leaving the club after a poor first season, Henderson buckled down and worked hard. He has flourished in subsequent years, especially under Jurgen Klopp. While his name was linked with the PFA Player of the Year for some time, that seems to have died down.
The England international has made 30 appearances in the league this season, scoring four goals and providing five assists.
#1 KEVIN DE BRUYNE, MANCHESTER CITY
What a player! Many scoffed when Manchester City paid £54 million to Wolfsburg for Kevin de Bruyne in 2015. Now, the 29-year old is regarded as one of the best players in the world.
Arguably the best player in the Premier League right now, De Bruyne has been in fine form for Manchester City this season. A creative powerhouse, the Belgium international's passing and vision have stood out, once again.
The former Chelsea man has played 33 games in the league this season, scoring 11 goals and providing 18 assists. He leads the Manchester City squad for key passes per game, as well as crosses per game.
Also Read: Chelsea Transfer News: Inter Milan reportedly plotting a move for N'Golo Kante
