40 Best Defensive Midfielders In The World 2025
Behind every trophy lift and championship parade lies the quiet brilliance of defensive midfielders (CDMs)—football’s chess masters who turn chaos into control. They might not always grab the headlines, but CDMs are the heartbeat of any great team, doing the dirty work, breaking up attacks, shielding the defense, and keeping everything ticking. This list of the 40 best defensive midfielders in the world has been carefully curated after keen observation of their stats and performances over the last season, celebrating the players who prove that sometimes, the most important work happens behind the scenes.
40. Carlos Soler
On loan from PSG, Carlos Soler provides key depth to West Ham’s star-studded squad. The Spanish international impresses with his tactical understanding and technical execution. Known for his dynamism in midfield, Soler has quickly adapted to the Premier League and made valuable contributions offensively and defensively.
39. Tomas Soucek
Under Julen Lopetegui, Tomas Soucek exemplifies West Ham’s resilience. Renowned for his aerial strength and relentless energy, the Czech midfielder is a pivotal part of the team’s strategy. This Premier League season has shown his reliability with a 58% pass accuracy as a defensive anchor.
38. Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba embodies Brighton’s continued success in talent identification. Since joining from Lille last season, the Cameroonian midfielder has demonstrated flashes of athleticism and technical skill, making him a highly sought-after prospect. Despite his youth, his ability to resist pressure and strong defensive awareness align seamlessly with Brighton’s sophisticated playing style.
37. Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton has quickly established himself as one of Crystal Palace’s most promising talents since his move from Blackburn Rovers last season. The teenage midfielder’s standout performances in a defensive midfield role earned him a well-deserved call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024.
36. Dani Parejo
At 35, Dani Parejo continues to masterfully orchestrate Villarreal’s midfield with the craft and intelligence of a seasoned veteran. With two decades of experience in Spanish football, his every touch shows how lasting his excellence is. Despite his age, Parejo’s ability to dictate the tempo and contribute defensively remains as impactful as ever.
35. Rúben Neves
Al-Hilal’s midfield thrives on Portuguese elegance and precision in the Saudi Pro League. Rúben Neves, with his trademark long-range passing and tactical brilliance, has become the team’s heartbeat. Partnering with Milinkovic-Savic, he’s helped create one of Asia’s most formidable midfield combinations.
34. Enzo Fernández
Enzo Fernández carries Argentina’s World Cup-winning DNA into Chelsea’s rebuilding project. So far this season, he’s been an instrumental member of Enzo Maresca’s squad, with his 85.51% pass completion rate proving vital in maintaining midfield stability and control.
33. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
On loan from Tottenham, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg brings Viking spirit and tactical intelligence to Marseille’s midfield. The Danish international’s qualities are hard to ignore, with a 92.92% pass completion rate this season and 2.41 tackles per match.
32. Douglas Luiz
Douglas Luiz joined Serie A side Juventus for a €50 million fee from Aston Villa. The Brazilian’s midfield expertise was exceptional last season for Aston Villa, which earned him a move to Juventus. Under Unai Emery’s guidance, he evolved into a complete midfielder, gaining recognition as one of the Premier League’s best, with a 66% tackle success rate last season.
31. Manuel Locatelli
With typical Italian finesse, Manuel Locatelli controls Juventus’ midfield. The Euro 2020 winner excels in defensive duties and playmaking and is pivotal in Thiago Motta’s system. This season, he averages 2.34 tackles per game and has an impressive 90.17% pass completion rate.
30. Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi has been a vital part of the Leicester City squad. His loyalty to the club following relegation speaks volumes about his character. The Nigerian international has adapted his defensive midfield skills to the Premier League this season, averaging 3.68 tackles per game.
29. Romeo Lavia
Despite injury setbacks, Romeo Lavia is seen as Chelsea’s future. His impressive performances at Southampton led the club to invest heavily in his potential. This season, Lavia has featured in 9 Premier League matches for Chelsea.
28. Edson Álvarez
Since his arrival, Edson Álvarez has become a key player in West Ham’s midfield. His relentless tackling and consistent ball recoveries provide needed support to the defense. The Mexican star has been an essential part of the national team on the international stage, with nine caps for Mexico in 2024.
27. Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur’s return from injury last season has reborn Tottenham’s midfield. The Uruguayan maestro adds composure under pressure, seamlessly fusing tenacious tackling with graceful ball distribution. His Juventus-honed experience can be seen in crucial moments, while his partnership with James Maddison has forged a balanced midfield duo.
26. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
At Al-Hilal, Sergej Milinković-Savić has transitioned into a deeper midfield role. Known for his physicality and tactical intelligence, he excels at breaking up opposition build-up play with well-timed tackles and sharp positional awareness.
25. Morten Hjulmand
Morten Hjulmand has established himself as a key figure in defensive midfield at Sporting CP, providing stability and discipline. He reads the game in a manner that allows him to make critical tackles and interceptions, disrupting opposition attacks. Beyond his defensive contributions, Hjulmand’s precise passing aids in transitioning from defense to attack and has helped Sporting maintain control during critical game moments.
24. Konrad Laimer
Since his move from RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich has benefited from Konrad Laimer’s solid defensive support. He is relentlessly pressing and has a high work rate. Conrad excels at disrupting opposition attacks and regaining possession in key areas. His tactical awareness enables him to perform effectively in the defensive midfield, where he is key in shielding the backline.
23. Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United’s midfield overhaul gained an edge with the addition of Manuel Ugarte, who brings signature Uruguayan grit to the squad. The former PSG enforcer has adapted seamlessly to United’s star-studded lineup, shielding creative players while demonstrating his technical prowess. For Uruguay, Ugarte is a beacon of the next generation of midfield warriors.
22. Youssouf Fofana
Youssouf Fofana, who has established himself as a regular for the French national team, has bolstered AC Milan’s midfield. After impressing at Monaco, his move to Milan has seen him thrive as a consistent starter. Under Didier Deschamps’ mentorship, Fofana has displayed exceptional maturity, enough to become a vital figure for Les Bleus in recent international fixtures.
21. Boubacar Kamara
Boubacar Kamara earned high praise at Marseille, but his move to Aston Villa flew somewhat under the radar. According to Footystats, the French sentinel’s positional intelligence has resulted in 1.56 tackles per game this season, while his impressive 93.7% passing completion rate ensures Villa’s attacking machinery runs smoothly.
20. Aleksandar Pavlovic
Aleksandar Pavlovic represents Bayern Munich’s commitment to youth development. The German youngster burst onto the scene from Bayern’s academy, seizing his opportunity to become a regular starter during an injury crisis. His composure in high-pressure matches suggests Bayern have unearthed another midfield gem.
19. Robert Andrich
Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run under Xabi Alonso owes much to the embodiment of German efficiency in Robert Andrich. His transformation from a Union Berlin battler to a title-chasing midfielder shows his tactical evolution. Partnering with Granit Xhaka, Andrich has created an impenetrable midfield fortress that has become the foundation of Leverkusen’s success.
18. Carlos Casemiro
Casemiro’s tenure at Manchester United feels like a blockbuster full of twists and turns. Despite recent struggles, his aerial dominance and well-timed tactical fouls prove his mastery of the dark arts of defensive midfield play. His overflowing trophy cabinet is another reason why he remains a modern great.
17. N’Golo Kanté
N’Golo Kanté may have taken his tireless engine to Saudi Arabia, but his performances for Al-Ittihad remain top-tier. His work ethic and interceptions per game say one thing—class is permanent. Called up by France for Euro 2024, Kanté delivered with a stellar 90.84% passing accuracy and earned two Man of the Match awards. His heat maps remain as relentless as ever, making it seem like he’s playing with a twin brother—always omnipresent on the pitch.
16. Martin Zubimendi
With unwavering Basque intensity, Martín Zubimendi anchors Real Sociedad’s midfield. His positional discipline has resulted in 2.80 tackles per game this season, complemented by an 84.21% pass completion rate as he orchestrates play. Barcelona’s interest is no coincidence—he’s arguably the closest heir to Sergio Busquets in La Liga.
15. João Neves
PSG’s João Neves, a standout Benfica’s renowned academy graduate, is quickly establishing himself as a midfield prodigy. At just 20 years old, his game intelligence rivals seasoned veterans. This season, his 3.95 tackles per game and impressive progressive passing range highlight his defensive acumen and playmaking ability to ensure Portugal’s midfield future is in capable hands.
14. Ryan Gravenberch
With confidence, Ryan Gravenberch leaped to Liverpool. The Dutch prodigy mixes Ajax’s technical training with the Premier League’s physical demands, averaging 1.76 interceptions per game while maintaining strong defensive solidity.
13. Amadou Onana
Amadou Onana towers over Aston Villa’s midfield – literally and figuratively. Standing at 6’5″, the Belgian giant wins 6.69 ground duels per game while the footwork of a ballet dancer. His progressive carries demonstrate that size and grace can coexist in modern football’s fast-paced symphony.
12. Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma orchestrates Tottenham’s new rhythm with finesse. His ball-winning ability and elite press resistance make him a presence in midfield you can’t ignore. Bissouma has achieved an impressive 66% tackle success rate this Premier League season.
11. Thomas Partey
Bringing strength and stability to Arsenal’s engine room is Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey. Like a lighthouse in stormy seas, he navigates Arsenal’s build-up play with calm precision. According to FootyStats, his tactical awareness is evident in his 2.69 tackles per match, complemented by an impressive 89% pass completion rate so far this season.
10. Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo shoulders Chelsea’s midfield hopes with remarkable maturity. His £115 million transfer fee highlights the extravagance of modern football, but his record of 6.02 ground duels won per game last season proves he’s worth the investment. Caicedo has maintained a solid 61% tackle accuracy this Premier League season.
09. Vitor Ferreira Vitinha
PSG’s Vitinha is a masterful defensive midfielder, adept at keeping opposition attackers in check. The Portuguese prodigy exhibits exceptional press resistance, demonstrated by his 91% pass completion rate last season. His tactical intelligence allows him to thrive in chaotic situations, seamlessly transitioning from defense to attack in seconds.
08. Hakan Çalhanoğlu
At Inter Milan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu reinvented himself by dropping deeper to become Serie A’s metronome. So far this season, he’s recorded a 93% passing accuracy in the league. The Germany-born Turkey international played an instrumental role in Inter Milan’s Serie A victory, helping to keep the midfield in check.
07. Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka’s redemption arc reads like a football fairy tale. An instrumental part of Leverkusen’s invincible Bundesliga team, the Swiss maestro has improved incredibly under Xabi Alonso’s guidance. His disciplinary record has improved dramatically while he maintains elite defensive output.
06. João Palhinha
João Palhinha doesn’t just tackle; he collects souls. Fulham’s Portuguese warrior had the third-highest number of duels won in the Premier League last season (259). Strikers check their shoulder twice when he’s around, knowing those long legs could appear anywhere.
05. Bruno Guimarães
If you’re thinking of bossing the midfield, you think of Bruno Guimarães. Guimarães turned Newcastle’s black-and-white stripes into a canvas for midfield artistry. His Brazilian flair meets Northern grit in perfect harmony – 285 duels won in the 2023/2024 Premier League season, the highest in the league.
04. Joshua Kimmich
Germany’s Joshua Kimmich isn’t just a midfielder; he’s Bayern Munich’s field marshal. His heat map resembles a Jackson Pollock painting – everywhere at once. Beyond his key passes per game lies an intellectual approach to defending that makes attackers question their life choices.
03. Aurélien Tchouameni
Aurélien Tchouaméni emerges as Real Madrid’s new midfield sentinel. In the post-Casemiro era, this French dynamo combines youthful energy with veteran wisdom. His aerial supremacy makes him a defensive wall, while his progressive passing has created chances this season – proof that destroyers can be creators, too.
02. Declan Rice
Declan Rice has transformed from West Ham’s golden boy to Arsenal’s midfield monarch. His £105 million price tag raised eyebrows, but seven goals, eight assists, and a 61% tackle success rate in the past season tell only half the story. Declan was an integral part of the England team that finished second in Euro 2024, with a 91.29% passing accuracy in the tournament. Lately, his set-piece delivery has been nothing short of extraordinary.
See also: 15 Ways Arsenal Can Finally Win The Premier League This Season
01. Rodri Cascante
Manchester City’s “human GPS” has mastered the art of invisibility. While forwards often grab the headlines, Rodri has carved out a name for himself this year, clinching the 2024 Ballon d’Or. The Spaniard orchestrated City’s symphony with an impressive 106.85 passes per match in the Premier League last season, and the club has buckled under the weight of his absence. Rodri is a shield for the defense and a launchpad for attacks, operating with the precision of a military strategist. Little wonder he also won the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024.
Share Your Thoughts on Our List of Best Defensive Midfielders In The World
As with any list, there are bound to be debates—so if your favorite CDM didn’t make the list, we want to hear from you. Comment below with the players you believe deserve a spot and why. Your insights can bring fresh dimensions to this conversation.
