Football News: Top 10 Attacking Midfielders
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Top 10 Attacking Midfielders
I have redone this choice a hundred times and still I am disagreeing with myself over who should be in the top 10 and what order! I am sure I am forgetting someone and I am sure I would put a different list up if I was writing this again tomorrow. For this moment though, this is my top 10 attacking mids:
10. James Maddison Norwich City
For now he is starring at Norwich in the Championship, but he is unlikely to be there for long with interest from big guns all over Europe. And West Ham United too. He is more one for the future, it was a close decision but he just sneaked in. Just.
9. Andres Iniesta Barcelona
His time is coming to an end, but he still has the capability of producing magic. Iniesta is one of my all time favourite players and it was really difficult to choose him this low down the list, but, at 33, he is no longer the player he was. Injuries have cost him so much but even a shadow of Iniesta is twice the player of most international mids. I personally will be gutted if he chooses to go to China to finish off his career as I will no longer get to watch him glide across the ground.
8. Mario Gotze Borussia Dortmund
Gotze should be much higher up the list but horrendous injury problems have cost this supremely talented player so much. When fit he is immense. Just a shame that the football world has had so little chance to see his talent perform on the world stage.
7. Mesut Ozil Arsenal
I know the German is not everyone's cup of tea, but there are very few, if any, players that rack up assists like he does. He is not going to fly into tackles or press from the front, but he does provide class, usually, when on the ball. Just get him the ball and let him do what he does and Ozil will create chances.
6. Coutinho Barcelona
The little Brazilian was the second most (though third most at the end of the season) expensive player in world football for a reason. While he is a long way off the absolute best attacking mids, he is still a very good player. Needs to learn to vary his play, rather than just looking to cut inside and shoot every time he receives the ball. His lack of pace also hinders him when trying to run with the ball, as he cannot break through like a faster player would, despite his dribbling skills.
5. Dele Alli Tottenham Hotspur
Even though he is not having as good a year as last year, he is still a very good player, despite the constant dives. They are certainly not helping him, as he is giving up possession of the ball in dangerous areas by looking for a free kick or penalty instead of trying to make something happen with the ball. Alli's forward runs are still well-timed and tend to be into the right place to get on the end of chances, even though he is not playing at the same level as he performed previously. If he had been playing as well as previous years for Spurs, he would be higher than 5.
4. Isco Real Madrid
I am not the biggest fan of him overall, as he often tends to play for himself rather than the team. However, as an individual he is supremely talented on the ball. He can run with it, has good vision and range of passing. Plus he can weigh in with his fair share of goals too. Now if he could just harness his talents towards playing for the team, he would be sensational.
3. Nabil Fekir Olympique Lyonnais
Fekir is one of those players that you would pay to watch play football. Injuries have hindered him in the past, but this season he has been sensational every time I see him play. At his best he is probably better playing slightly further forward, just off a striker, but it is these days seen as more of an attacking midfield role than second striker role, so I have included him in this list. There does seem to be a theme in my favourite type of players though, of which he is one, they do seem to glide across the ground effortlessly.
2. Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City
The Belgian is having the season of his life, and is a big part of the Cityzen's success. He creates and scores from all over the pitch and his passing over mid-ranges is probably unmatched in world football today. De Bruyne is all action as well, he gets forward and back, runs the channels, plays the passes and looks to get on the end of them. In fact, his contribution to the season is only bettered by #1 on the list in my opinion. World class is often overused, but it is difficult to find any reason to suggest that De Bruyne is not world class.
1. David Silva Manchester City
Silva is a magician. It really is that simple. Even with the talents of De Bruyne, City look half the team without David Silva playing. It is more than just his surprising strength and silky skills, defence-splitting through balls and excellent movement, that makes him a modern great. He is not afraid to mix it in the midfield battle to break up opponent's attacks before they can get going. He may not look like he is busting his guts, the way De Bruyne's ruddy cheeks always make him look like he has half-killed himself running, but he really covers the ground and puts himself about. And yes, he does glide.....
Written by Tris Burke March 15 2018 19:36:42