Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders of All Time Ranked
The Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders do much more than simply protect the defence. They win possession, control the midfield, break up attacks and often give their teammates the freedom to attack.
A new ranking has brought together 20 of the Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders from different generations. The list includes legendary names as well as modern stars who have made a major impact in England’s top flight.
Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders: Top 20
- Rodri
- Roy Keane
- Patrick Vieira
- N’Golo Kanté
- Yaya Touré
- Claude Makélélé
- Michael Carrick
- Michael Essien
- Fernandinho
- Xabi Alonso
- Declan Rice
- Mousa Dembélé
- Gilberto Silva
- Fabinho
- Javier Mascherano
- Nemanja Matić
- Gareth Barry
- Moisés Caicedo
- Casemiro
- Mark Noble
Why the Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders Matter
The Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders have played very different styles. Some were aggressive ball-winners, while others relied on positioning, passing and game intelligence.
Rodri takes the top spot in the ranking, ahead of Manchester United legend Roy Keane and Arsenal great Patrick Vieira. N’Golo Kanté and Yaya Touré complete the top five.
The ranking also shows how the defensive midfield role has developed over the years. From Makélélé’s positional discipline to Rodri’s ability to control games with the ball, the Best Premier League Defensive Midfielders have played a huge part in shaping the competition.
The order is sure to spark football fans’ debate. Every generation has its own midfield heroes and it’s never easy to compare players from different eras.
