Top 11 best defensive midfielders of 2023: Ranked

Published at :December 22, 2023 at 2:10 PM

Modified at :December 27, 2023 at 5:54 PM

These players may not make headlines but have been vital to their team’s success

As teams look to get more tactical and reinforce their defensive structure, maintain possession, and consistently progress play with quick decisions in set patterns of play, the defensive midfield position is becoming an increasingly coveted and demanded position in modern football. In the modern game, a defensive midfielder is required to be at their very best for the full 90 minutes, running with their engine on full blast.

Being a defensive midfielder is a challenging task. These players not only face defensive pressure from the opposing team, but they are also crucial in initiating their own team’s attacks. However, in recent years, defensive midfielders have shown that they are crucial in any team’s strategy. They not only provide defensive support but also contribute to building plays from deep positions with skill and a good understanding of the game.

Here we have ranked the top 11 best defensive midfielders of 2023:

11. Youssouf Fofana (Monaco & France)

Standing a sturdy 5ft 9ins tall with a commanding presence, Fofana is a versatile midfielder who contributes significantly to both Monaco and the French national team. He excels as a box-to-box presence, and he is comfortable orchestrating play and anchoring the midfield. Apart from carrying the ball, the former Strasbourg midfielder also stands out in his ability to take players on.

10. Thomas Partey (Arsenal & Ghana)

Partey is an effective defensive midfielder who gets around the pitch well and primarily provides protection both for his team’s centre-backs and their full-backs. He covers ground quickly and has an exceptional work rate, the combination of those, and the conviction with which he makes tackles or presses in a central position, makes him extremely influential when his team is without the ball. Once he can engage an opponent in a duel he tends to come out on top.

He is good in possession and keen to get on the ball when his team builds from the back. He likes to come short to receive short passes from the central defence in part so that he is in a position to protect them should the ball be turned over and then favours switches of play to a full-back or wide midfielder. He has confidence in his control of the ball and takes risks in possession even when deep inside his half.

He breaks lines with his dribbling and likes to progress play wherever possible with his passing, too. When he is short of options he is willing to play ambitious passes to try and find teammates further forwards, and he also uses the runs of teammates to disguise penetrative passes.

9. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli & Cameroon)

Anguissa is an energetic midfielder who some call a pressing machine. With his physique, he can perform his defensive duties with greater ease. Apart from his defensive skills, Anguissa is also good on the ball as he can keep it by using his outstanding dribbling skills and height to shield it. He is also capable of carrying the ball for certain distances.

Ball retention and ball progression are the 28-year-old’s main strengths on the ball. Anguissa combines his quick feet, dribbling skills and physicality that allow him to keep the ball in tight spaces or get out of them. Coupled with his athleticism, this gives him the ability to move the ball and get past opposing players.

In build-up play, Anguissa can win the ball as he knows how to hold it and beat his opponent when under pressure. In high-intensity games, he can help his team take the pressure off as he can keep the ball under pressure. In progressive play, he can be used as a route, as he can carry the ball for long distances and sometimes influence play in the final third.

8. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal/ Bayer Leverkusen & Switzerland)

On the pitch, Xhaka’s voice is a constant throughout the 90 minutes, shouting instructions at teammates and organizing the team from his favourite deep midfield role. Granit Xhaka excels as the deepest midfielder in the team where he can see the whole game in front of him rather than having his back to goal.

His passing game is also more refined as the Swiss’s main responsibility is to propel the team forward by supplying balls down the flanks. Xhaka’s creativity and vision aren’t poor either, capable of line-breaking passes from deep. Xhaka may not always progress the ball forward, but when he does, he makes sure it counts for something.

People adore him for his fiery attitude, but it’s the same reason why some don’t. Trusted by his managers, and loved by his teammates, but constantly vilified online by fans.

7. Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP/PSG & Uruguay)

The Uruguayan midfielder is a very good passer and can play out of pressure very well. His technical abilities are certainly the biggest asset, his technique helps him to get his first touch right, even when he is being put under pressure aggressively. During the times that he can’t spot a teammate in space, he can get past his opponent using his decent on-the-ball acceleration and physicality to hold off his opponent. This means that Ugarte is very press-resistant as well.

Manuel Ugarte is not the player who will create a lot of chances every match, but he is certainly a player who can support the other midfielders to create chances and to create space for teammates by playing a risky pass towards the other central midfielders when they have moved into space between the lines.

Ugarte reads the game very well which often helps him to anticipate well and be on time to intercept passes. He is rarely too late and does not miss many interceptions when he steps out. The Uruguayan midfielder likes to defend proactively.

6. Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid & France)

Aurelien Tchouameni Arsenal Real Madrid — **Aurelien Tchouameni has featured as a six or an eight and even at cb in 2023 for Real Madrid**

A right-footed central midfielder, Tchouaméni can play either as a six or an eight. He has a forward-thinking mentality which means he regularly breaks lines with passes through or over the opposition, while he also progresses play with diagonal switches. He disguises passes expertly and uses that skill to good effect to filter passes through to more advanced teammates.

Real Madrid long scouted Aurelien Tchouameni during his time at Monaco and must have been impressed by the amount of defensive work particularly tackles and interceptions he gets through, though his progressive game isn’t half shabby either. He is a key player for his national team as well.

5. Joao Palhinha (Fulham & Portugal)

Palhinha is an astute ball-winning midfielder. He’s extremely aggressive defensively and never backs out of a challenge, often diving into tackles in an attempt to curb opposition attacks. He’s especially aggressive in stopping counter-attacks early by lunging into challenges, often preferring slide tackles to maximise his tackle radius. He presses aggressively in a mid and low block and records a high volume of tackles due to his proximity to the player in possession.

4. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich & Germany)

Since transitioning full-time to a defensive midfield general, the German international has been one of the most admired in the world. Kimmich’s passing range, particularly to those on the move, is of the very highest quality. Whether playing longer-range passes to those making forward runs, short while under pressure, breaking lines, or switching play, his execution consistently excels.

A leader and an all-around ace in midfield, Kimmich is an anchoring presence despite his slight frame, and that’s because he has a non-stop motor and a great intellect for the game. Kimmich reads play several steps before things truly develop, using feints and the momentum of the opponent to create space. Even though is struggling with form this season still he is one of the best in this position.

3. Casemiro (Manchester United & Brazil)

As midfield destroyers go, Casemiro is unplayable, while he has a level of class on the ball that most can only dream of. His importance to Real Madrid was undeniable. The five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid was one of United’s very best players in his first season at Old Trafford. There is no question that when it comes to pedigree and pure defensive ability, Casemiro is in a league of his own. He has been one of the best defensive midfielders for years and years.

2. Declan Rice (Arsenal/West Ham & England)

Declan Rice has emerged as one of the most promising defensive midfielders worldwide. Declan Rice has improved at an incredible rate in recent years and is now tasked with leading Arsenal’s midfield. The 24-year-old is a complete player and only scratching the surface of what he can become. Rice has also been a regular player for the English national team.

1. Rodri (Manchester City & Spain)

It took a season or so for Rodri to get to grips with the vigours of Premier League football, but since acclimatising there have been few better in defensive midfield than the Spaniard. Fast forward to the present day and Rodri has elevated his game back to the highest level, showing his class. There’s no doubt that shielding the defence, blocking passing lanes, and providing mistake-free passing in the build-up are the key roles Rodri provides in his vital role for Pep Guardiola’s side.

He helped City win a treble last season and also scored the winning goal in the UCL final against Inter Milan. He’ll go down as one of the very best defensive midfielders to have ever played for his manager who boasts Phillip Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Fernandinho in his contacts.

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