The dominance in midfield is often the difference between silverware and mediocrity. The Premier League’s 2024/25 season has only reinforced this truth. While goals win games, it is the midfield that wins campaigns. From shielding the backline and breaking up opposition play to launching attacks and threading game-defining passes, elite midfielders operate as the brain and lungs of every great team.
This season, several Premier League clubs have leaned heavily on their midfield trios—not just for control but for creativity, composure, and consistency. Whether it’s Arsenal’s dynamic unit that pushed them to the title fight, or Aston Villa’s fearless trio powering their Champions League charge, each top club has seen its midfield as the core of its success.
In this breakdown, we rank the top 10 midfield units in the Premier League this season based on productivity, defensive contribution, creativity, and consistency. Each trio has been judged by their combined impact in the defensive, central, and attacking phases, as well as the individual brilliance they brought to their respective clubs.
10. Brentford
Despite Brentford’s modest league position, their midfield trio has quietly posted impressive numbers across all phases of play.
🇩🇪 Vitaly Janelt (Defensive Midfielder)
1 goal 3 assists 42 key passes 28 big chances created 7 successful dribbles
🇩🇰 Christian Nørgaard (Central Midfielder)
6 goals 3 assists 16 key passes 2 big chances created 89 tackles 48 interceptions
🇩🇰 Mikkel Damsgaard (Attacking Midfielder)
3 goals 10 assists 68 tackles 14 key passes 38 interceptions
Janelt and Nørgaard offer defensive solidity, while Damsgaard’s resurgence in an advanced role has added creativity and bite.
9. AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s midfield has delivered a mix of tenacity and flair, contributing both offensively and defensively.
🏴 Lewis Cook (Defensive Midfielder)
1 goal 3 assists 86 tackles 52 key passes 42 interceptions
🏴 Ryan Christie (Central Midfielder)
2 goals 3 assists 44 key passes 5 big chances created 63 tackles 26 interceptions
🇧🇪 Justin Kluivert (Attacking Midfielder)
13 goals 8 assists 54 key passes 10 big chances created 38 successful dribbles
Kluivert has emerged as one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders this season, while Cook and Christie provide the engine.
8. Newcastle United
A transformative season for Newcastle saw their midfield play a pivotal role in ending a 70-year trophy drought and securing Champions League football.
🇧🇷 Bruno Guimarães (Defensive Midfielder)
5 goals 8 assists 97 tackles 13 big chances created 32 interceptions
🇮🇹 Sandro Tonali (Central Midfielder)
6 goals 3 assists 31 key passes 63 interceptions 63 tackles
🏴 Joe Willock (Attacking Midfielder)
3 goals 2 assists 30 key passes 6 big chances created 23 successful dribbles
Bruno and Tonali’s chemistry in midfield, supported by Willock’s vertical runs, has reshaped Newcastle’s fortunes.
7. Manchester City
While Manchester City underperformed by their high standards, individual midfield performances stood out.
🇭🇷 Mateo Kovačić (Defensive Midfielder)
7 goals 2 assists 79 tackles 28 big chances created 4 interceptions
🇵🇹 Bernardo Silva (Central Midfielder)
4 goals 4 assists 79 key passes 10 big chances created 80 tackles 26 interceptions
🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne (Attacking Midfielder)
6 goals 8 assists 75 key passes 20 big chances created 19 successful dribbles
Despite an inconsistent season for the team, City’s midfield trio remained individually excellent.
6. Manchester United
Manchester United endured a difficult campaign, but their midfield—especially captain Bruno Fernandes—delivered standout performances.
🇺🇾Manuel Ugarte (Defensive Midfielder)
2 goals 6 assists 118 tackles 13 big chances created 57 interceptions
🇧🇷Casemiro (Central Midfielder)
5 goals 2 assists 129 tackles 28 interceptions 37 key passes
🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes (Attacking Midfielder)
19 goals 17 assists 152 key passes 25 big chances created 47 successful dribbles
Fernandes had one of the best individual seasons in the league, combining leadership with elite playmaking.
5. Nottingham Forest
Forest’s midfield has surprised many this season, contributing to a strong campaign and a push for European football.
🏴 Elliot Anderson (Defensive Midfielder)
2 goals 6 assists 99 tackles 3 clean sheets 32 interceptions
🏴 Ryan Yates (Central Midfielder)
4 goals 1 assist 59 tackles
🏴 Morgan Gibbs-White (Attacking Midfielder)
7 goals 8 assists 61 key passes 12 big chances created 33 successful dribbles
Gibbs-White continues to be a creative force, while Anderson has emerged as a reliable ball-winner.
4. Chelsea
A rebuilding Chelsea side has leaned heavily on its midfield, which has stepped up across multiple competitions.
🇨🇴 Moisés Caicedo (Defensive Midfielder)
1 goal 3 assists 126 tackles 5 big chances created 53 interceptions
🇦🇷Enzo Fernández (Central Midfielder)
7 goals 13 assists 76 tackles 18 interceptions 92 key passes
🏴Cole Palmer (Attacking Midfielder)
15 goals 9 assists 95 key passes 25 big chances created 55 successful dribbles
Palmer’s breakout campaign has added a new dimension to Chelsea’s attack, supported by the control of Caicedo and Enzo.
3. Liverpool
Liverpool’s midfield overhaul proved to be a masterstroke, driving them to a Premier League title.
🇧🇪 Ryan Gravenberch (Defensive Midfielder)
4 assists 93 tackles 17 clean sheets 82 interceptions
🇦🇷 Alexis Mac Allister (Central Midfielder)
7 goals 6 assists 66 key passes 13 big chances created 21 successful dribbles
🇭🇺 Dominik Szoboszlai (Attacking Midfielder)
8 goals 8 assists 71 key passes 14 big chances created 30 successful dribbles
The balance of flair, steel, and vision made Liverpool’s midfield the engine of their title-winning squad.
2. Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have stunned the league, and their midfield has been at the core of their success.
🇧🇪 Youri Tielemans (Defensive Midfielder)
5 goals 10 assists 112 tackles 8 clean sheets 34 interceptions
🏴 John McGinn (Central Midfielder)
4 goals 6 assists 43 key passes 7 big chances created 36 successful dribbles
🏴 Morgan Rogers (Attacking Midfielder)
14 goals 13 assists 72 key passes 33 big chances created 102 successful dribbles
Tielemans, McGinn, and Rogers have complemented each other perfectly, driving Villa to new heights. Onana, Kamara, and Asensio have also played key supporting roles.
1. Arsenal
Arsenal boast the most complete midfield unit this season, combining power, precision, and productivity.
🇬🇭 Thomas Partey (Defensive Midfielder)
4 goals 2 assists 112 tackles 10 clean sheets 75 interceptions
🏴 Declan Rice (Central Midfielder)
9 goals 10 assists 81 key passes 25 big chances created 21 successful dribbles
🇳🇴 Martin Ødegaard (Attacking Midfielder)
5 goals 11 assists 97 key passes 19 big chances created 37 successful dribbles
The trio of Partey, Rice, and Ødegaard has driven Arsenal’s dominance in midfield battles. While Mikel Merino also had a strong campaign, he played more often as a false nine and was therefore excluded from this list.
All stats are provided by Sofascore and are accurate as of may 19 , 2025.
