A dominant midfield is the backbone of any great team. It dictates the tempo, provides defensive stability, and creates opportunities in the final third. The 2024/25 season has seen several clubs establish formidable midfield partnerships, combining technical quality, tactical intelligence, and work rate.
Here’s a ranking of the ten best midfield units in Europe based on their influence, consistency, and ability to control games at the highest level.
10. Bayer Leverkusen – Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Exequiel Palacios
Bayer Leverkusen’s midfield has been a key factor in their rise as a serious force in German football.
•Florian Wirtz has established himself as one of Europe’s most intelligent attacking midfielders, combining vision, composure, and dribbling ability. He has registered 26 goal contributions, the highest among his peers.
•Granit Xhaka provides leadership, defensive awareness, and an impressive range of passing that helps dictate the tempo. He has also contributed eight goal involvements this season.
•Exequiel Palacios is a tireless worker, ensuring balance with his pressing and ability to break up opposition attacks.
Leverkusen’s midfield has been fundamental to their title push, offering control, creativity, and steel in equal measure.
9. Atlético Madrid – Rodrigo De Paul, Marcos Llorente, Giuliano Simeone, Conor Gallagher
Atlético Madrid’s midfield is built for intensity, physicality, and tactical discipline.
•Rodrigo De Paul is the engine of the team, combining aggression with technical skill to dominate midfield battles. He has also chipped in with 10 goal contributions this season.
•Marcos Llorente offers versatility, making late runs into the box while maintaining defensive solidity.
•Giuliano Simeone, stepping into the senior squad, has impressed with his work ethic and ability to press relentlessly.
•Conor Gallagher, a new addition, brings Premier League experience, high-energy pressing, and a strong ability to recover possession.
This midfield embodies Diego Simeone’s philosophy—grit, organisation, and the ability to disrupt opponents.
8. Inter Milan – Nicolò Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Inter Milan’s midfield trio has been the foundation of their strong domestic campaign.
•Nicolò Barella is a relentless ball-winner who also provides incisive passing and attacking runs.
•Hakan Çalhanoğlu dictates play from deep, offering set-piece expertise and composure under pressure.
•Henrikh Mkhitaryan, despite his age, continues to deliver intelligent movement and link-up play in attacking transitions.
Inter’s midfield thrives in their 3-5-2 system, controlling possession and ensuring a smooth link between defence and attack.
7. Chelsea – Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo
Despite Chelsea’s inconsistency, their midfield trio has shown immense quality and potential.
•Cole Palmer has been a revelation, excelling in an attacking midfield role with his creativity, composure, and goal-scoring ability. He has recorded 20 goal contributions this season (14 goals, 6 assists).
•Enzo Fernández has developed into a deep-lying playmaker, showcasing his passing range and ability to dictate the tempo.
•Moisés Caicedo provides defensive balance, breaking up attacks and covering ground effectively.
With time, this midfield could become one of the most dominant in Europe, blending technical ability with physicality and tactical intelligence.
6. Bayern Munich – Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Müller, João Palhinha, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer
Bayern Munich’s midfield boasts a mix of youth, experience, and versatility.
•Jamal Musiala is one of the most exciting young talents in world football, capable of dribbling through tight spaces and unlocking defences. He has 20 goal contributions this season.
•Joshua Kimmich remains Bayern’s metronome, controlling possession and contributing defensively.
•Thomas Müller continues to be a tactical genius, finding space and creating chances with his movement.
•João Palhinha has added much-needed defensive stability, excelling in ball recovery and aerial duels.
•Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer provide energy, work rate, and box-to-box dynamism.
Bayern’s midfield is built for dominance, capable of controlling games in both domestic and European competitions.
5. Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni
Real Madrid’s new-generation midfield has seamlessly taken over from the legendary Modrić-Kroos-Casemiro trio.
•Jude Bellingham has redefined the role of an attacking midfielder, excelling in advanced positions with his goal-scoring ability and physicality. He has 20 goal contributions this season.
•Eduardo Camavinga is a versatile asset, comfortable as a defensive midfielder or a box-to-box presence.
•Federico Valverde provides relentless energy, powerful long-range shooting, and defensive contributions, with 12 goal involvements.
•Aurélien Tchouaméni acts as Madrid’s anchor, protecting the defence and distributing the ball efficiently, despite being played out of position at times.
This midfield has already dominated big games, showing maturity and quality beyond their years.
4. Arsenal – Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal’s midfield is one of the most well-balanced in Europe, combining physicality, creativity, and defensive solidity.
•Declan Rice has been a transformative signing, excelling as a defensive midfielder while also driving forward with the ball.
•Martin Ødegaard is the team’s creative heartbeat, dictating play and breaking down defences with his vision, despite dealing with injury setbacks.
•Thomas Partey, when fit, provides defensive strength and composure under pressure. He scored a crucial goal against Manchester City, making a statement for Arsenal.
This midfield has been crucial in Arsenal’s ability to control games, particularly against top opponents.
3. Paris Saint-Germain – Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, João Neves, Warren Zaïre-Emery
PSG’s midfield blends youth and experience, offering tactical flexibility and control.
•Vitinha has emerged as a key playmaker, dictating the rhythm of PSG’s possession game.
•Fabián Ruiz adds composure, tactical intelligence, and the ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. He was a key figure in Spain’s EURO 2024 triumph.
•João Neves, a signing from Benfica, has 11 goal contributions this season, showcasing his attacking output.
•Warren Zaïre-Emery continues to impress with his maturity and work rate, despite his young age.
PSG’s midfield has been a major factor in their domestic and European ambitions, ensuring control in high-pressure matches.
2. Liverpool – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool’s midfield rebuild has brought renewed energy and tactical flexibility.
•Alexis Mac Allister is Liverpool’s most well-rounded midfielder, excelling in deep and advanced roles.
•Ryan Gravenberch has added physicality, ball progression, and defensive contributions, recording an average rating of 7.5, the highest of his career.
•Dominik Szoboszlai is a dynamic attacking midfielder, capable of scoring from distance and pressing aggressively.
This trio has revitalised Liverpool’s midfield, making them one of the most difficult teams to break down.
1. Barcelona – Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Marc Casadó, Fermín López
Barcelona has assembled the most complete midfield unit in Europe.
•Pedri has 10 goal contributions and is arguably the best central midfielder in the world right now.
•Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo add tactical intelligence, creativity, and work rate.
•Fermín López and Marc Casadó have stepped up, with López contributing 10 goals and Casadó providing six assists.
Barcelona’s midfield is built for dominance, blending positional play with technical superiority.
