The role of the defensive midfielder is often overlooked on the soccer field. It’s a position that hasn’t received much recognition, especially before the turn of the millennia.
In the 1990s, midfielders didn’t have specialized roles; they were expected to contribute both in the attacking and defensive aspects of the game.
However, times are changing, midfielders are being defined by specific roles more than ever before.
As teams aim to become more tactical and strengthen their defensive strategies, maintain possession, and consistently advance their play with quick decision-making and structured patterns, the role of the defensive midfielder is becoming increasingly important in modern football.
Among these roles, we find the “destroyers” and the “heartbeats” – players entrusted with disrupting the opponent’s attacks and orchestrating their team’s counter-attacks.
These players are the best at winning the ball, anchoring the team, making tough tackles, and facilitating the team’s progress – they are the best defensive midfielders in the game today as of 2023/24.
- 1. Rodri
- 2. Declan Rice
- 3. Joshua Kimmich
- 4. Casemiro
- 5. Thomas Partey
- 6. Frenkie de Jong
- 7. Moisés Caicedo
- 8. Marcelo Brozovic
- 9. Sergio Busquets
- 10. Stanislav Lobotka
- Who is a defensive midfielder?
- Who are the best defensive midfielders in the world?
- Who is the best defensive midfielder in the world?
- Who is the best defensive midfielder?
1. Rodri
- Full name: Rodrigo Hernández Cascante
- Date of birth: 22nd June 1996
- Age: 26 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
- Nationality: Spanish
- Current Club: Manchester City
Spanish midfielder Rodri has firmly established himself as one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, playing a big role in Manchester City’s success.
In the 2022/23 season, amid a closely contested title race against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Rodri is revealing another dimension to his offensive abilities. The 26-year-old has achieved a career-high with five assists, surpassing his previous season-high of three.
Also, Rodri has found the back of the net twice and is consistently contributing 1.1 key passes per game for Manchester City.
While Rodri is undeniably crucial for Pep Guardiola’s team in terms of defensive shielding, blocking passing lanes, and ensuring error-free passing during build-up play, he is also quietly improving his offensive capabilities.
This transformation is especially intriguing considering Rodri’s age, and it’s quite remarkable to think that he is only now entering his prime years.
His passing range, ability to break up opposition attacks, and positional intelligence make him a standout performer in his position.
Rodri’s composure under pressure and tactical awareness make him a valuable asset for both club and country.
2. Declan Rice
- Full name: Declan Rice
- Date of birth: 14th January 1999
- Age: 24 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Kingston upon Thames
- Nationality: British
- Current Club: Arsenal
Rice has made a historic move to Arsenal for a staggering £100 million, plus an extra £5 million in potential add-ons, making him the most expensive English player ever.
This hefty price tag is fully justified, especially when we consider that he’s joining the ranks of other exceptional young midfielders like Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who have also commanded substantial transfer fees to join top-tier clubs.
Rice is a nearly flawless defensive midfielder who had a major impact in preventing West Ham from enduring a disastrous 2022/23 Premier League season.
He effectively performed the duties of multiple players, excelling in ball-winning, defensive screening, maintaining composure under pressure while carrying the ball, and delivering world-class passes.
His physicality, impeccable reading of the game, and precise passing have garnered widespread recognition. Rice’s ability to win duels and protect his defense has solidified his status as one of the best in the business.
At just 24 years old, Rice is a well-rounded player who is only beginning to tap into his full potential.
Joining a team like Arsenal, which boasts quality throughout the squad, presents him with a significant opportunity to ascend to success. His innate talent, coupled with the attacking prowess of his new teammates in North London, positions him as a strong contender for the top spot in his position.
3. Joshua Kimmich
- Full name: Joshua Walter Kimmich
- Date of birth: 8th February 1995
- Age: 28 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Rottweil, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Current Club: Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich’s versatility is his hallmark. While he’s known for his incredible adaptability, he truly shines in a deep-lying midfield role. The German maestro possesses unparalleled vision, creativity, and work rate.
Kimmich’s incredible ability to switch the play and his deadly set-piece deliveries make him an indispensable asset to Bayern Munich.
Once considered one of the best right-backs in the world, Kimmich made a deliberate shift to the midfield position, following in the footsteps of another Bayern Munich legend, Philipp Lahm.
Surprisingly, Kimmich has proven to be an even more exceptional midfielder than Lahm was during their respective tenures at Bayern and with the German national team.
This observation is not meant to diminish Lahm’s achievements but rather highlights Kimmich’s remarkable talent. He has unquestionably become one of the best defensive midfielders on the global stage.
Kimmich excels at delivering precise passes over varying distances and in different styles, consistently generating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
In the past two Bundesliga seasons, Kimmich has stood head and shoulders above the competition with 21 assists, consistently averaging more than two key passes per game.
In the Champions League, he continues to impress as a dominant force, recording an average of 2.3 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game.
4. Casemiro
- Full name: Carlos Henrique Casimiro
- Date of birth: 23rd February 1992
- Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Current Club: Manchester United
For the past decade, Casemiro has consistently ranked among the world’s best defensive midfielders, and his tenure at Real Madrid was instrumental in their success.
It’s widely believed that Los Blancos would not have achieved their remarkable feats during the 2010s without the contributions of this Brazilian player. In the absence of Casemiro, the team struggled to meet their high expectations last season.
However, last summer, Casemiro made a move to Manchester United, and his impact on Erik Ten Hag’s squad was immediately evident.
His defensive skills have been consistently elite, meeting the high expectations, and he has even pleasantly surprised some United fans who had heard concerns from Real Madrid supporters regarding his passing abilities.
His exceptional ability to read the game and his often-underappreciated passing skills significantly improved the team.
It appears that Casemiro is thoroughly enjoying his time in the Premier League, and given his skill and experience, he still has several productive years ahead of him at the highest level of football.
Casemiro’s pedigree and exceptional defensive prowess are unquestionable
5. Thomas Partey
- Full name: Thomas Teye Partey
- Date of birth: 13 June 1993
- Age: 30 (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Krobo Odumase
- Nationality: Ghana
- Current Club: Arsenal
The potential inclusion of Thomas Partey alongside Casemiro may spark some debate due to questions about his precise position on the field.
Many would argue that Thomas Partey is at his best when operating as a box-to-box midfielder.
This role allows him to utilize his well-rounded skill set, which includes exceptional press resistance and the ability to break through opposition lines.
However, since his move to Arsenal, Partey has mostly been deployed in a two-man midfield alongside Granit Xhaka.
In this capacity, he continues to demonstrate his knack for shutting down opponent attacks at critical moments, which remains a vital element of Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach.
The noticeable downturn in Arsenal’s title challenge following Partey’s recent injury during the past season was not surprising. It serves as a clear testament to the growing importance of the 30-year-old midfielder in North London.
6. Frenkie de Jong
- Full name: Frenkie de Jong
- Date of birth: 12 May 1997
- Age: 26 (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Gorinchem
- Nationality: Dutch
- Current Club: Barcelona
Frenkie faces the daunting challenge of stepping into Sergio Busquets’ shoes at the core of Barcelona’s midfield. Nevertheless, the Dutchman has been performing exceptionally well, playing a big role in Barcelona’s La Liga title win last season.
In the revamped midfield trio alongside Pedri, Gundogan, and Gavi, Frenkie takes charge of initiating the team’s play.
Few can match his ability to navigate through congested areas and elude the opposition’s pressing efforts, thereby setting his team on the path to success.
Frenkie has described himself as a player “who likes to have the ball a lot, and play possession.”
A versatile player, De Jong can function as a regista, defensive-midfielder, central midfielder, holding midfielder, box-to-box midfielder, and center-back.
He has been lauded for his combination of defensive stability and playmaking ability.
7. Moisés Caicedo
- Full name: Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo
- Date of birth: 2 Nov 2001
- Age: 21 (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Santo Domingo
- Nationality:Ecuador
- Current Club: Chelsea
Ecuadorian sensation Moisés Caicedo has caught the eye of football fans worldwide with his dynamic performances. Despite his young age, he possesses a remarkable understanding of the defensive midfield role.
The 21-year-old, who initially joined Brighton on a loan deal a couple of seasons ago, has now completed a high-profile transfer to Chelsea, making it one of the most notable transfer deals in the Premier League.
It’s awe-inspiring to contemplate the heights he could reach in his prime.
His strength in tackling opponents ensures that he can dispossess adversaries effectively, disrupting their attacks and regaining possession for his team.
Caicedo has a sharp footballing IQ, enabling him to read the game with precision. His ability to anticipate plays and make well-timed interceptions contributes significantly to his team’s defensive solidity.
In addition to his defensive skills, Caicedo is a proficient passer of the ball. He can execute accurate passes over various distances, whether it’s a short, incisive ball to link up play or a long, pinpoint pass to switch the point of attack.
8. Marcelo Brozovic
- Full name: Marcelo Brozović
- Date of birth: 16th November 1992
- Age: 30 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Zagreb, Croatia
- Nationality: Croatian
- Current Club: Al Nassr
Brozovic forms a major part of one of the most formidable midfields in international football, partnering with Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric for Croatia.
His role at the heart of this midfield allows the other two players to advance with greater freedom. Also, his contributions to Inter Milan’s performance last season played a big role in their journey to the Champions League final.
His ability to control the tempo of the game, create goal-scoring opportunities, and intercept passes make him a complete defensive midfielder. Brozovic’s vision and long-range passing are assets that add another dimension to his game.
Before the money-move to Saudi Arabia, Brozovic holds the record of being regarded as the top defensive midfielder in Serie A in the 2022/23 campaign, which is no small achievement, given the league’s tactical complexity.
Few players can rival the 30-year-old’s ability to maintain possession, and his determination to regain possession for his team is equally impressive.
9. Sergio Busquets
- Full name: Sergio Busquets Burgos
- Date of birth: 16th July 1988
- Age: 34 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Sabadell, Spain
- Nationality: Spanish
- Current Club: Inter Miami
Once renowned as the gold standard for defensive midfielders, this Spanish player has seen his status decline since his days sharing the midfield with Xavi and Andreas Iniesta.
His remarkable accuracy in passing, impeccable positioning, and skillful interceptions have created an environment where his teammates can launch their attacks with confidence.
Both teammates and opponents have showered him with praise for his outstanding performances and the role he played in FC Barcelona’s victorious years.
Despite facing a dip in form over the past couple of seasons, it’s important not to overshadow the impressive accomplishments he has achieved throughout his career.
It appears that this precise passer is poised to make a move to MLS once the current season wraps up. His departure from Catalonia will mark the exit of a true legend and one of Barcelona’s most successful players of all time.
10. Stanislav Lobotka
- Full name: Stanislav Lobotka
- Date of birth: 25 Nov 1994
- Age: 28 (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Trenčín, Slovakia
- Nationality: Slovakia
- Current Club: Napoli
Slovakian midfielder Stanislav Lobotka has consistently impressed with Napoli. His agility, anticipation, and ability to transition from defense to attack seamlessly have made him an invaluable asset.
Lobotka’s underrated defensive skills and work rate make him one of the standout defensive midfielders in 2023.
His strength and stamina are truly commendable, and he poses a significant challenge for central and attacking midfielders.
In the 2022/23 season, the 28-year-old emerged as one of Napoli’s key players in their successful Scudetto-winning campaign. While his defensive contributions may have gone under the radar for some, his performances undeniably solidified his position as one of the world’s finest defensive midfielders.
His outstanding tackling abilities and work rate make him a valuable asset in helping the team’s defensive efforts. Coaches and teammates alike have recognized and admired his tactical intelligence and his ability to foresee the flow of the game.
Other Notable Defensive Midfielders In The World
- Marco Verratti
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Martín Zubimendi
- Bruno Guimaraes
- Yves Bissouma
- Eduardo Camavinga
- Ismaël Bennacer
- Konrad Laimer
- Pierre Emile Hojbjerg
- Wilfred Ndidi
What is the role of a defensive midfielder?
A defensive midfielder’s role involves providing defensive stability by shielding the backline, making well-timed tackles and interceptions, and excelling in ball recovery.
They also contribute to maintaining possession, have strong positional awareness, and often serve as on-field leaders. Their versatility includes covering for attacking players and aiding in transitioning from defense to attack, making them pivotal figures in a soccer team’s strategy.
- Defensive Shielding
- Tackling
- Interception
- Passing and Distribution
- Ball Recovery
- Maintaining Possession
- Positional Awareness
- Leadership
- Covering Defense
- Transition Play
FAQs
Who is a defensive midfielder?
A defensive midfielder is a midfield player who focuses on protecting their team’s goal. S/he can defend a zone in front of their team’s defence or man marks specific opposition attackers.
Who are the best defensive midfielders in the world?
Some of the best defensive midfielders in the world are Rodri, Declan Rice, Joshua Kimmich, Casemiro, Partey, Marcelo Brozović, Frenkie de Jong, and Sergio Busquets.
Who is the best defensive midfielder in the world?
Rodri is arguably the best midfielder in the world right now. He plays for Manchester City and the Spanish national team.
Who is the best defensive midfielder?
Rodri.
The best defensive midfielder right now is arguably Rodri.
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