Top 10 Premier League Midfielders Right Now: Featuring Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice
A year ago, when Chelsea and Arsenal prepared to face off at Stamford Bridge, everyone was discussing if Cole Palmer had ascended to the same elite status as Bukayo Saka.
Palmer had exploded onto the scene in his debut season with Chelsea, leading a surprising push for the league title during the fall months.
However, the current pre-match discussion between these two London clubs now centers on their midfield maestros, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice.
This shift in focus is what sparked the idea for our ranking. The Premier League, effectively the highly competitive league that a European Super League aspired to be, is overflowing with exceptional talent.
While a top 50 list of midfielders would undoubtedly generate even more discussion, we’ve opted for a top 10 for two key reasons: it’s more manageable for us to write and easier for you to read, and even much more fiercely competitive.
To earn a place in the top 10, you have to consistently perform at an exceptional level and truly warrant that recognition.
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Okay, so when we say “midfielders,” we’re not referring to the attacking-minded players who often venture into the forward line.
Instead, we’re focusing on the more defensively responsible types, the ones you can slot into a central midfield role in a 4-3-3 formation and trust to cover their defensive duties.
We’re also considering their recent form and physical condition to really distinguish the best from the rest. Got it?
And just to be clear from the start, certain players who might come to mind, like some young prospects or established names, aren’t included in this particular discussion.
10. Granit Xhaka
Team: Sunderland
If you travelled back to 2021 and predicted that in just four years Granit Xhaka would not only be considered among the world’s elite midfielders, but also be playing for Sunderland, people would have likely dismissed you as a doomsayer predicting the end of the world.
The remarkable transformation and resurgence of the Swiss international’s career has been truly extraordinary to observe.
Previously viewed as an immature and problematic player unlikely to ever shed his reputation as a burden at Arsenal, Xhaka has evolved into a wise and experienced player who undeniably elevates the performance of any team he joins.
He motivates and guides through both his words and actions, and that’s a significant factor in why Sunderland has experienced such positive results upon their return to the highest level of competition.
Xhaka dictates the rhythm and flow of Regis Le Bris’ midfield. He is the central figure through whom all play passes.
Having departed Arsenal as an unexpected success story in 2023 and subsequently establishing himself as a legendary figure with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, he has certainly earned his esteemed status.
9.Martin Zubimendi
Team: Arsenal
Liverpool’s failure to secure Martin Zubimendi’s signature in 2024 seemingly had little impact on their immediate performance.
Their midfield triumvirate of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai effortlessly guided them to the Premier League title that season.
However, the Spanish international has quickly become a key player at Arsenal, having rejected Liverpool a year earlier.
After spending another season at Real Sociedad, his boyhood club, he opted to join the Gunners. Zubimendi demonstrates exceptional skill, winning back possession and maintaining the flow of the game with remarkable ease.
He is already a top-tier Premier League midfielder and one of the brightest stars of the 2025-26 season.
Arsenal have been missing a true ball-playing defensive midfielder for some time, but Zubimendi has not only filled that void but has exceeded expectations.
8. Bruno Guimaraes
Team: Newcastle
Newcastle essentially had to sell Alexander Isak during the last days of the summer transfer period. An offer of £125m ($165m) was simply too significant to refuse for any player.
However, they avoided having to sell their leader. Bruno Guimaraes is the central figure in a team known for its resilience and intensity.
It’s hard to imagine Newcastle ever being in a position to give Guimaraes a break in either the Premier League or Champions League.
Fortunately, he’s been incredibly durable since arriving from Lyon in January 2022, featuring in a remarkable 172 matches across all competitions and establishing himself as a vital player for Brazil.
Guimaraes possesses very few shortcomings. He excels in defensive duties, passing, progressing the ball, and finding the net. His impressive record of 25 goals and 29 assists for Newcastle demonstrates his all-around quality.
7. Enzo Fernandez
Team: Chelsea
Chelsea, perhaps more than any other team, operates under the principle that lavish spending can resolve any issue.
Their willingness to meet Benfica’s hefty £106.8 million ($140.7m) asking price for World Cup champion Enzo Fernandez in January 2023 initially appeared rash and extravagant. However, with the passage of time, this investment seems more justifiable.
Given the substantial fee Chelsea invested, Fernandez faced immediate pressure to perform at Stamford Bridge.
Initially, he found it difficult to adapt to the demanding tempo of the Premier League, but that adjustment period is now firmly in the past.
While the Argentine might not be the most gifted technician in midfield, and isn’t someone you’d depend on as your primary creative spark, he contributes adequately across the board, making him a vital piece of Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach.
Since the Italian coach took over, Fernandez has demonstrated this worth by contributing a commendable 10 goals and eight assists in league play alone.
6. Dominik Szoboszlai
Team: Liverpool
Looking back, if we’d compiled these ratings before the season started, Szoboszlai might have been the one Liverpool midfielder from their likely starting lineup that wouldn’t have been included.
However, the struggles of Gravenberch and Mac Allister have contributed to their disappointing performance this season, but Szoboszlai can’t be held accountable.
He’s been giving his all to try and improve Liverpool’s situation, even stepping in at right-back (which technically goes against our ranking rules, but we’re making an exception) as the manager tries to find a way to turn things around.
With three goals and five assists across all competitions from various positions, Szoboszlai is performing his role effectively this season.
Unfortunately, many of his underperforming teammates aren’t doing the same – he needs better support.
5. Martin Odegaard
Team: Arsenal
It was difficult to determine the precise ranking for Martin Odegaard. He was a serious candidate for the top player award when Arsenal came in second to Manchester City in 2023-24 and has consistently performed at a high level in the Premier League for a significant period.
However, over the past year, he’s frequently been sidelined with injuries or simply not been at his best.
Ultimately, placing him fifth seems appropriate. When he’s playing well, the Norwegian is still one of the best creative midfielders and attacking threats in the world.
Ironically, Arsenal’s impressive performance in 2025-26 while he was absent and not providing his leadership has weakened his position, as Mikel Arteta has been able to rely on a deeper squad to compensate for his captain’s unavailability.
Odegaard is close to recovering from his most recent injury and has been using specialized equipment to speed up his rehabilitation.
Arsenal will be hoping he can recapture some of that same special magic once he returns to the field.
4. Bruno Fernandes
Team: Manchester United
Had Ruben Amorim cleverly utilized Bruno Fernandes in a creative attacking midfield role within his debated 3-4-3 formation, Fernandes likely wouldn’t be included in this ranking, mirroring the exclusions of players like Palmer.
However, the Manchester United manager has inexplicably insisted on deploying his most effective and influential player in a withdrawn position.
Fernandes’ talent remains undeniable, even when playing in a less natural position. He was, after all, a key performer last season, single-handedly boosting the Red Devils to a modest league finish.
Nonetheless, he represents a significant figure in United’s recent history and a pivotal player around whom the team should be constructed.
His consistent fitness throughout his time at Old Trafford gives him the edge over Odegaard for a spot in our top four; his consistent impact and reliability are simply too significant to overlook.
The Portuguese star frequently leads in creating scoring opportunities. What he really needs now is a forward who can reliably convert those chances into goals.
3. Moises Caicedo
Team: Chelsea
Moises Caicedo secures 3rd place, a commendable achievement. However, Chelsea supporters observing this result will likely feel some disappointment, wishing he had achieved the ultimate victory.
Similar to his midfield counterpart, Fernandez, Caicedo experienced a period of adjustment upon arriving at Stamford Bridge. His initial 2023-24 season with the club was marked by several mistakes.
Now, however, he has clearly established himself as the premier defensive midfielder in the league.
The comparisons being drawn to legendary players like N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele are beginning to seem valid.
Nevertheless, to truly reach their level of prestige and solidify his place among the greats, Caicedo still needs to capture either the Premier League title or the Champions League trophy.
Following Chelsea’s narrow victory over Tottenham in early November, a game where Caicedo’s midfield performance was crucial, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez expressed the widespread admiration for the player within the Chelsea community.
He brushed aside any need to justify Caicedo’s abilities, emphatically declaring him to be exceptionally talented. Sanchez went on to describe Caicedo with great enthusiasm, highlighting his dominance on the field.
He lauded Caicedo’s tenacity in winning challenges and his composure while in possession.
Sanchez also observed that Caicedo’s fundamental qualities have remained consistent: his dedication, his work ethic, and his humble personality.
While acknowledging that Caicedo has physically matured and gained experience, Sanchez emphasized that these developments have only amplified his already impressive skills.
He noted Caicedo’s increasing confidence and ultimately crowned him as a true leader in controlling the midfield.
2. Rodri
Team: Manchester City
Similar to the challenges faced when evaluating Odegaard, placing Rodri in the rankings presented difficulties.
Despite securing the prestigious Ballon d’Or a short time ago, his appearances have been limited since that achievement, largely due to a serious knee injury and a series of minor setbacks.
One could argue that his absence significantly contributed to Manchester City’s struggles.
Erling Haaland was often forced to carry the team, single-handedly attempting to keep Pep Guardiola’s squad competitive in the recent title chases.
However, questions remain about Rodri’s current form. There’s no certainty that he can recapture his previous, dominant midfield performances, and it wouldn’t be fair to negatively impact the rankings of his competitors based on this uncertainty.
Nevertheless, Rodri’s established reputation and past achievements still justify his inclusion among the top contenders.
Even if he performs at a reduced capacity compared to his peak form, Manchester City would greatly profit from his presence.
They desperately require him to regain full fitness promptly, as another trophy-less season looms if his return is delayed.
1. Declan Rice
Team: Arsenal
Declan Rice is undoubtedly a top-tier midfielder in the Premier League. He’s the benchmark, the player others measure themselves against and strive to emulate.
If Arsenal follow through and win the league, their number 41 will have proven himself as the successor to Patrick Vieira that the club has been seeking for so long.
Formerly a typical defensive midfielder at West Ham, Rice now possesses a complete skill set.
He’s also a key influence in the Premier League’s increased focus on set-pieces, as his dangerous free kicks and corners have led to a significant 26 assists for Arsenal – twice as many as he achieved in far more games for West Ham.
While others, like Caicedo, are told to improve their attacking output to be considered among the best, Rice has already reached that level.
He even has a Puskas Award nomination to his name, earned after a spectacular goal against Real Madrid last season.
