Looking beyond the eternal fame of attackers and the recent surge in popularity of good centre backs since Virgil Van Dijk changed Liverpool on for good, the midfield is the unsung hero of the beautiful game. In turning defense to attack and helping the backline out, midfielders have to put in a crazy shift with every passing game.
And in this post, we look at the most highly valued players in the central midfield position across Europe:
5. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona): €65 million
The former Ajax man was the star in their 2018/19 fairy tale Champions League campaign, managing to contribute to their progression to the semi-finals of the competition against mighty odds stacked against them. He has since moved to Barcelona and is showing his worth consistently, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet in midfield.
4. Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich): €70 million
Alongside Joshua Kimmich, who operates as a defensive midfielder (a number 6), Goretzka has managed to establish himself as one of the most sturdy in his position, having a tremendous work rate throughout matches, and scoring goals as well as contributing to the defense.
3. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio): €70 million
Arguably the most important player in the Biancocelesti squad, Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with moves away from the club time and time again, only to keep putting in the heavy shift at Rome. Moreover, he has established himself as one of the best in his position, being as good going forward as he is helping out the defense.
2. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): €70 million
The Uruguayan is a product of the famous Castilla youth academy of Real Madrid, having joined Los Blancos in 2016. He has since managed to show his quality on the pitch, netting against Barcelona in El Clasico and also managing to dictate the pace of the game meticulously.
1. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): €120 million
Although currently out injured, the Belgian was out-and-out the best player in the Premier League last season and has established himself as the best in his position. According to the man himself, De Bruyne operates as a central midfielder and not, as convention says, an attacking midfielder which not only makes his inclusion possible but also ranks him as the most valuable of the lot.
