via Eurosport
1. Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City/Attacking Midfield/27 years old
Kevin De Bruyne is the point man and center piece for the best team in the world, Manchester City, so it comes as no surprise that he lands at the number one spot in our rankings. While KDB currently sits on the sidelines with knee ligament damage that is projected to keep him out for the first three months of the season, the Belgian international has proven himself to be the gold standard for midfielders around the world. Last season he provided twelve goals and twenty-one assists for the Premier League side in all competitions and then went on to lead Belgium to a third place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer. KDB is the engine that makes City go and the focal point of one of the most high flying and dangerous attacks in the world.
via Sportskeeda
2. Paul Pogba
Manchester United/Central Midfielder/25 years old
Perhaps one of the most widely criticized players in the world, Paul Pogba found some sort of validation and achievement this summer as he was one of the main cogs on the French national team that finished in first place at the World Cup in Russia. Still only twenty-five years old, Pogba has still not reached his full potential as a player but that did not stop him from providing Manchester United with six goals and twelve assists in thirty-seven appearances last year. While Pogba dealt with some injuries and struggles with manager Jose Mourinho throughout the year, he still proved to be one of the world's best. The French international's impact on a game does not always show up on a stat sheet as he is a master at game management and has the ability to play multiple positions in the midfield. While he does struggle at times with focus and overall output, Pogba has shown great improvement in his passing ability and craftiness working with the ball. Still young, Pogba looks to dominate the game for years to come.
via Metro US
3. Luka Modric
Real Madrid/Central Midfielder/32 years old
The UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball Winner lands at number three in our rankings as he has enjoyed an incredible run of form over the past six months. From winning another Champions League trophy with club team Real Madrid to taking his home country of Croatia to a second place finish at the World Cup, Modric has been on absolute fire. Although he is on the decline of his career sitting at thirty-two years old, Modric has continued to produce as he put up two goals and eight assists in forty-three appearances for Real last year. Modric contributes to the game by controlling the ball and being almost a second manager on the field. Modric's passing ability and vision is second to none in the world as well. He sees the pitch like no one else can and plays almost as if he is three steps ahead. Chess not checkers for Luka.
via 90Min
4. N'Golo Kante
Chelsea/Defensive Midfielder/27 years old
Welcome to the workhorse of all workhorses. N'golo Kante plays like no other midfielder in the world as he has an undying engine and an ability to tackle that is unmatched by anyone else in his position. Still in the prime of his career and fresh off leading France to a first place finish at the World Cup, Kante has proven to be the best defensive midfielder in the world. While he is not a player that will put out thirty yard screamers or place a pass on a dime, the French international has an unrelenting engine and superb strength that makes him a force to be reckoned with in the defensive half of the pitch. His tackling ability is second to none for his position and his endurance is at an elite level as well. Kante does everything you can ask for on the defensive side of the ball and is an absolute terror for opposing attacks.
via Marca
5. Paulo Dybala
Juventus/Attacking Midfielder/24 years old
When all is said and done Paulo Dybala might walk off the pitch as not only one of the greatest midfielders, but one of the greatest soccer players ever. The young Argentinian has struggled to find a place alongside Lionel Messi on his home country's national team but that has not stopped him from lighting up Italy's Serie A. Last year La Joya provided twenty-six goals and seven assists in forty-six appearances for Juventus as he helped guide them to yet another Serie A title and a quarter-finals exit in the Champions League to eventual first place finishers, Real Madrid. While Dybala sometimes lines up at a second striker or center field position, he spends most of his time at attacking midfield. He excels at creating chances not only for himself but for the players around him as well. He is phenomenal at advancing the ball up-field and displays an incredible work rate both with and without the ball. While Dybala could manage to improve his strength and aerial ability, he has shown the ability to become one of the world's best overall players, regardless of position.
written and edited by Jack Kurtz
