Top 5 central midfielders under the age of 25

Midfielders are a very crucial part of any footballing team in the world. Most of the battles in football are won or lost in the midfield. Some of the greatest teams of all time, like Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, were built around great midfield. Midfielders play an important role in team's transition from attack to defense and vice versa.

It is very important for every team to have good midfielders to ensure control and good play. There have been some great midfield maestros over the years. They include like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Paul Scholes etc. who have mesmerized the world with their insane passing skills.

Here we take a look at the top 5 central midfielders in world football right now who are under the age of 25 and are destined to make it big in their careers.

Disclaimer: There is no particular order in the list and it contains only central midfielders, not attacking midfielders.

#5 Saul Niguez, 23, Atletico Madrid

Saul Niguez swapped Real Madrid for Atletico Madrid at a very young age after facing some problems at the RM academy: a move that has helped him to no bounds. Saul, at an age of just 23, has become a very important part of the Atletico Madrid team.

His combative style of play, creativity, and aggression in midfield are crucial to Atletico Madrid's style of play. Saul is a complete midfielder who can play in multiple positions. He has a brilliant left foot and has already scored some great goals in his still young career. He also has a knack for scoring goals in crucial matches which him a lot more impressive.

His passion on the pitch and ability to up his game in crucial moments is a huge asset for the team and signifies everything Simeone's side stands for.

Atletico Madrid will hope to keep their young star with them even though he has been linked with moves away. Saul has a bright career ahead of him and Atletico Madrid will hope they utilize it in the best possible way.

#4 Corentin Tolisso, 23, Bayern Munich

Corentin TolissoBayern Munich broke the German record for highest transfer fee paid when they bought Corentin Tolisso from Lyon for 41 million Euros.

There was a reason behind it was Tolisso being one of the most exciting young midfielders in world football currently. Tolisso can play multiple positions and is creative from deep.

He also has a great right foot, that has helped him score quite a few screamers in his nascent career. He is good with covering passing lanes and also interceptions, which help the team defensively. He makes some great balls and his vision from deep positions is extraordinary. His great reading of game situations is rare to find in a player at such a young age.

Tolisso has a great career ahead and will look to make the most of his chance at Bayern Munich. On the other hand, Bayern Munich will hope that they will be able to fill the void left by the retirement of Xabi Alonso and retain him for long time, while winning trophies along the way.

#3. Naby Keita, 22, RB Leipzig

Naby Keita

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Leipzig that will see the 22-year-old at the Merseyside in the summer of 2018. Liverpool's tussle with Leipzig over Keita's signature last summer was well documented by media and the reason they fought so hard for the youngster is not so hard to guess.

Keita was a revelation in Bundesliga last season and played a huge role in Leipzig finishing second in the league to qualify for the Champions League.

Keita is a box-to-box midfielder who plays like a powertrain that never stops. He is great in attack with his brilliant passing and dribbling skills and at the same time, he is an asset in defense with his great work rate. At an age of just 22, the way he carried RB Leipzig was nothing less than astounding. He was the engine on which RB Leipzig was built and was able to achieve things no one thought would be possible for them.

Keita has every quality to be a success at Liverpool in Premier League. Liverpool will be hoping that with him they can finally end the long wait there for the Premiership title.

#2. Mateo Kovacic, 23, Real Madrid

Mateo Kovacic

In the summer of 2015, Real Madrid signed Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan. The Croatian, often termed as the 'heir' of Luka Modric, hasn't disappointed whenever given a chance to display his immense ability. Being compared to such an accomplished player is a big responsibility in itself. However, there are enough reasons to believe that he can fill the boots of Modric at Real Madrid.

The youngster can play multiple roles in midfield. He is probably the most press-resistant player you will find in world football right now. His pace and ability to dribble past players, coupled with his tackling, make him an asset in both aspects of the game. He is an intelligent player who can create chances out of nowhere and break the opposition's lines of defense with his dribbling and passing skills.

Real Madrid will hope that they can keep hold of this youngster, who certainly promises to build a great career ahead.

#1. Paul Pogba, 24, Manchester United

Paul Pogba

Manchester United signed Paul Pogba from Juventus for a then world-record fee of 89 million pounds and the Frenchman didn't take long to become an integral part of the Red Devils. The fact that United haven't lost a Premier League game with him in the team tells about how important he is to them.

This season, when Pogba was injured, the Red Devils missed him sorely. A Manchester United team with Paul Pogba in playing 11 is distinctly better than one without him.

The Frenchman's ability to pick passes at the right time, coupled with his unique dribbling style, makes him a crucial part of Mourinho's team. He is an industrious midfielder capable of providing perfect link between attack and defense. Under Mourinho, he has provided United with the perfect link between their deep defenders and attackers. He is also has great defensive work rate and is very good at tackling by making full use of his immense physical strength.

Manchester United will hope Pogba stays at Old Trafford for years to come and justifies the amount that was paid for him by helping them win titles once again.