Ranked! The 10 best defensive midfielders in the world right now

The greatest ball-winners, anchor men, tough-tacklers and water-carriers on the planet

Recently, Fourfourtwo put out their “greatest ball-winners, anchor men, tough-tacklers and water-carriers on the planet” list. Check out who they have ranked and let us know if you think anyone is missing of their list!

The best defensive-midfielders in the world is an article we might not have been able to publish twenty years ago. According to raging Sky pundit Roy Keane, midfielders weren't separated into specialist roles in the 90s – they were all required both to get forward and put a tackle in when necessary. 

FFT doesn't completely agree with that, but it is true that the time have a-changed since Roy's day. Midfielders are now categorised and given special roles. Those on this list are the destroyers; the men tasked with breaking down opposition attacks and setting their teams on the counter. 

So without further ado, let's run through the best defensive-midfielders on the planet...

10. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)

9. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

8. Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)

7. Marco Verratti (PSG)

6. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)

5. Rodri (Manchester City)

4. Declan Rice (West Ham United)

3. Fabinho (Liverpool)

2. Casemiro (Real Madrid)

1. N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)

Catch the full Fourfourtwo article here.