Being a central midfielder is the toughest job in football. You’re expected to be able to do everything – central midfielders must be energetic, technically astute and defensively aware on the pitch at all times.
As such, being a central midfielder in the Premier League – the strongest league in world football – is an often-herculean task. Today, however, we’ll be looking at five superstars who are always up for the job.
We will be taking a look at players from teams such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United for the purposes of this list – can you guess who we’ve picked?
Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson’s recent performances have made him a shoe-in for the England squad at the 2026 World Cup. Nottingham Forest have generally performed below par in the Premier League this season, but Anderson certainly isn’t to blame for their lowly league position.
If anything, it’s difficult to imagine where Forest would be without him this season. He is the beating heart of their midfield – his passing and energy levels are both excellent.
Newcastle United might be regretting the decision to cut him loose, but they do have a stacked midfield – one of their players will be appearing later in the list.
John McGinn
This might seem like an unorthodox pick, but John McGinn’s importance towards Aston Villa’s success cannot be understated. He can do everything – his passing and movement on the ball are both brilliant, as are his limitless energy levels.
While he isn’t a prolific goalscorer, he has a penchant for netting spectacular strikes – this season, the Scottish international has scored three Premier League goals, notching up a pair of assists along the way.
McGinn might be one of the most underrated players in the league. He is the archetypal modern central midfielder – there are no outstanding weaknesses in his game.
Enzo Fernandez
When Enzo Fernandez made the jump to Chelsea, he initially looked like an unsuitable talent for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. In the years since, he has made England’s top division his home – he now looks very comfortable in Chelsea blue.
The Argentinian World Cup winner is an adroit passer – his ability to create space for himself and fire off defence-splitting passes is unparalleled. He can also fashion chances for himself, having scored eight Premier League goals this season.
Only six players in the Premier League have scored a greater number of goals than he has in the league this season – for a central midfielder, this is seriously impressive.
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes has been one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League for some time now – he is a world-class operator in the middle of the park.
There is no aspect of the game that he struggles with – he is the definition of a great all-around player. If we had to pick a fault with him, we’d suggest that he isn’t the greatest at defending, but this is rarely a problem alongside Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
With eight goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, Newcastle United fans will be waiting with baited breath for his return to the first team.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice is one of the best players in the world at the moment. Arsenal are on a fantastic run in the Premier League at the moment – they have much of this to thank Rice for.
As a former centre-back, he has no problem with the defensive side of the game – he is also an exquisite technician who can both create and score goals.
With four goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, he is absolutely crucial to the Gunners’ current success.