Football is often defined by goals, assists, and attacking brilliance, but none of that would be possible without the players who bring balance to a team. Defensive midfielders are the ones who dictate the tempo, control transitions, and, most importantly, protect the backline. They are responsible for winning back possession, intercepting dangerous passes, and breaking down opposition attacks before they reach the defense. While their work often goes unnoticed, their influence is undeniable.
A great defensive midfielder must possess intelligence, positioning, and physicality. Some rely on their reading of the game to anticipate danger and cut out passes, while others thrive on their energy and aggression, pressing high up the pitch and winning duels. The very best combine multiple qualities, offering both defensive steel and composure in possession.
This ranking is based purely on defensive performances. It does not take into account goal contributions, assists, or playmaking ability. Instead, it highlights midfielders who excel at tackling, intercepting, shielding the defense, and regaining control for their team. Whether they operate as deep-lying anchors or aggressive ball-winners, these players have been the most effective in their defensive roles.
With that in mind, here are the top defensive midfielders in the world right now, ranked purely on their defensive contributions.
15. Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
🛡️ Tackles won: 75.9%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.2 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 83.4%
Mainoo has been a promising young player for Manchester United, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and create scoring opportunities.
14. João Palhinha (Bayern Munich)
🛡️ Tackles won: 76.4%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.3 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 83.9%
João Palhinha is a Portuguese midfielder who currently plays for Bayern Munich. He joined the club in July 2024 on a contract that runs until June 2028, for a reported fee of €51 million plus €5 million in potential add-ons.
13. Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur)
🛡️ Tackles won: 76.9%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.4 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 84.3%
Bissouma has been a solid performer for Tottenham Hotspur, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His ability to read the game and intercept opposition passes has been crucial in breaking up attacks.
12. Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
🛡️ Tackles won: 77.4%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.5 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 84.8%
Camavinga has been a key player for Real Madrid, providing defensive expertise and creativity in midfield. His vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and create scoring opportunities.
11. Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
🛡️ Tackles won: 77.9%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.6 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 85.3%
Tchouameni has been a standout performer for Real Madrid, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His pace and agility have allowed him to cover a lot of ground and win the ball back quickly.
10. Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)
🛡️ Tackles won: 78.4%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.7 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 85.8%
Locatelli has been a key player for Juventus, providing defensive expertise and creativity in midfield. His vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and create scoring opportunities.
9. Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)
🛡️ Tackles won: 78.9%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.8 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 86.3%
Kovacic has been a solid performer for Manchester City, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His ability to read the game and intercept opposition passes has been crucial in breaking up attacks. He’s been doing his job well in the absence of Rodri.
8. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
🛡️ Tackles won: 79.4%
🚀 Interceptions: 1.9 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 86.8%
Kimmich has been a key player for Bayern Munich even before now, providing defensive expertise and creativity in midfield. His vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and create scoring opportunities.
7. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
🛡️ Tackles won: 79.8%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.0 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 87.3%
He’s rumored to join Arsenal at the end of the season. Zubimendi has been a standout performer for Real Sociedad, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His pace and agility have allowed him to cover a lot of ground and win the ball back quickly.
6. Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
🛡️ Tackles won: 80.4%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.1 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 87.9%
Calhanoglu has been a key player for Inter Milan, providing defensive expertise and creativity in midfield. His vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and create scoring opportunities.
5. Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
🛡️ Tackles won: 80.9%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.2 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 88.5%
There is a big reason the Fan of Arsenal are demanding for his contract renewal. Partey has been a solid performer for Arsenal, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His ability to read the game and intercept opposition passes has been crucial in breaking up attacks.
4. Casado (Barcelona)
🛡️ Tackles won: 81.4%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.3 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 89.1%
At just 21 Casado has been a key player for Barcelona, providing defensive expertise and creativity in midfield. His vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and create scoring opportunities.
3. Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
🛡️ Tackles won: 81.9%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.4 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 89.5%
The 23-year-old is not just a destroyer; he can also hurt opponents with his distribution and break the lines with a dribble or pass. Caicedo also completes far more successful passes inside the final third than any Chelsea player. Maresca attributes his improvement to time.
2. Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen)
🛡️ Tackles won: 82.5%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.5 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 90.3%
Xabi Alonso has got the best out of Xhaka, using his supreme versatility to get the Swiss captain involved in every phase of play, from build-up to scoring scorchers on the edge of the box. Xhaka is cultured, composed and unafraid of a little bite: after an unbeaten season at Bayer Leverkusen, he’s finally getting his flowers, but he’s always been one of the best midfielders on Earth in the biggest games. Now, he’s doing it every week, too.
1. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
🛡️ Tackles won: 84.2%
🚀 Interceptions: 2.9 per 90 minutes
🎯 Pass completion: 91.4%
Gravenberch has been a revelation since joining Liverpool, providing defensive solidity and creativity in midfield. His exceptional vision and passing range have allowed him to control games and dictate the tempo. The Dutchman has taken his game to another level in 2025 and will be hoping to further progress alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield.
