Holding midfielders stand out as the overlooked architects of team stability. These players don’t always grab the headlines with flashy goals or dazzling dribbles, but their ability to disrupt opposition attacks and protect their backline is what keeps their teams ticking.
This article ranks the top 10 holding midfielders based strictly on their defensive contributions—tackles, recoveries, duels, aerial duels won, and blocks. Drawing exclusively from FotMob’s detailed stats, we’ve zeroed in on the numbers that matter most, cutting through the noise to highlight the true warriors of the midfield battleground.
As of the time of this article, with the season in full swing, these are the standout performers who’ve proven their worth not with flair, but with relentless grit and tactical nous. Whether it’s snuffing out danger or winning possession in the clutch.
10. Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur)
- 43 Tackles won (61.1%)
- 121 Duels won (53.5%)
- 16 Aerial duels won (52%)
- 29 Interceptions
- 108 Recoveries
Bissouma has quietly emerged as one of the most consistent performers for Tottenham this season. His ability to break up opposition attacks with timely tackles and interceptions is key to Spurs’ defensive stability. In addition, his work rate and tactical awareness allow him to excel in transitions, making him an invaluable asset for the team. His defensive contributions have been crucial to the team’s overall success in the Premier League.
9. Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City)
- 32 Tackles won (60%)
- 98 Duels won (52.6%)
- 9 Aerial duels won (60%)
- 87 Recoveries
- 13 Blocks
Kovačić has stepped up notably in Rodri’s absence, who suffered a serious knee injury in September 2024. With Rodri sidelined for much of the season, Kovačić has often been deployed as a central midfielder, providing stability and control in the engine room.
His ability to dictate tempo, retain possession, and execute precise passing has been vital in maintaining City’s possession-based style.
8. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
- 36 Tackles won (56%)
- 133 Duels won (51%)
- 41 Aerial duels won
- 19 Interceptions
- 95 Recoveries
Wilfred Ndidi has been Leicester’s linchpin in the holding midfield position, tasked with shielding the backline, breaking up opposition plays, and initiating transitions.
His primary responsibility is to anchor the midfield, and he’s excelled in that role despite Leicester’s broader struggles in their return to the Premier League.
7. Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
- 22 Tackles won (56%)
- 91 Duels won (59%)
- 21 Aerial duels won (60%)
- 60 Recoveries
- 40 Interceptions
The 23-year-old Belgian midfielder joined Aston Villa from Everton for £50 million in the summer of 2024, signing a five-year contract. His arrival was a statement of intent from Unai Emery, replacing the departed Douglas Luiz and bringing a blend of physicality, defensive nous, and unexpected attacking contributions to Villa’s midfield.
Onana has made a notable impact in the Premier League and Champions League, particularly in his role as a defensive midfielder.
6. Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
- 38 Tackles won (60%)
- 114 Duels won (51.8%)
- 14 Aerial duels won (46%)
- 22 Interceptions
- 94 Recoveries
Manuel Ugarte’s defensive impact for Manchester United in the 2024/25 Premier League season has been significant, particularly in addressing the team’s longstanding midfield vulnerabilities.
Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for €50 million (£42.3m) plus €10m in add-ons on August 30, 2024, the 23-year-old Uruguayan was brought in to bolster a midfield that was often exposed last season, conceding the second-most shots in the league (667) and struggling with 620 transitions reaching the final third.
Ugarte’s arrival was seen as a direct response to the declining physicality of Casemiro and the need for a dedicated ball-winner to complement emerging star Kobbie Mainoo.
5. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
- 35 Tackles won (58%)
- 193 Duels won (52%)
- 15 Aerial duels won
- 139 Recoveries
- 7 Blocks
- 25 Interceptions
Defensively, Guimarães is solid but not elite. His numbers reflect a good work rate rather than a specialist destroyer’s profile. His 6’0” frame helps him compete in aerial duels (winning roughly 1-1.5 per game), and his physicality allows him to hold his own in midfield battles. However, his focus is less on breaking up play and more on regaining possession through positioning and anticipation.
4. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- 19 Tackles won (41.3%)
- 99 Duels won (51%)
- 28 Aerial duels won (56%)
- 22 Interceptions
- 118 Recoveries
- 14 Blocks
Arsenal’s Declan Rice has been the best £100 million transfer the Premier League has witnessed in recent years, especially for a deal that occurred within the Premier League. Both in attacking and defensive phases, he has been crucial for Arteta’s side, consistently delivering top performances. Despite all his contributions, Rice has avoided injuries, proving to be a key fixture for Arsenal’s midfield.
3. Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
- 54 Tackles won (61.4%)
- 179 Duels won (57%)
- 27 Aerial duels won
- 41 Interceptions
- 175 Recoveries
Caicedo is a high-energy midfielder who excels at breaking up opposition play. With 175 recoveries in the Premier League, this tells a lot about his ability to dispossess attackers with precise timing.
He’s often likened to N’Golo Kanté for his energy and ball-winning, but with better technical composure—think a modern Claude Makélélé with a touch of Fernandinho’s passing. His style suits the Premier League’s intensity, blending South American flair with European discipline.
2. Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
- 48 Tackles won (60.8%)
- 114 Duels won (59.9%)
- 23 Aerial duels won (54%)
- 112 Recoveries
- 29 Interceptions
- 7.4 Average Match Rating
You can’t talk about defensive midfielders, holding midfielders, or box-to-box midfielders without mentioning the Ghanaian international. He’s only been dispossessed 11 times this season and has also scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in the Premier League.
1. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
- Tackles won (51%)
- 143 Duels won (57.7%)
- 20 Aerial duels won (71.4%)
- 52 Interceptions
- 159 Ball recoveries
- 7.4 Average Match Rating
Since Liverpool bought him from Bayern Munich, Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation in their midfield, covering box-to-box duties and ensuring the defense remains safe. In the Premier League, he is the best right now, considering the fact that his team is clear ahead in the table and has conceded fewer goals.
