Manchester United icon Paul Scholes is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time, but not everyone agrees with his choice when it comes to the best midfielder in the Premier League at the moment.
To be frank, it’s clear that Paul Scholes has some knowledge of the qualities of a top midfielder. However, his choice of the best team in the Premier League at the moment is highly divided.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville named Moises Caicedo the best midfielder in the top flight after Chelsea’s excellent performance and goal against Liverpool last weekend, but others have also been asked to name their top midfielder. That includes Scholes, who replaced Sandro Tonali in Newcastle’s playmaker.
However, since then, many other names have been suggested by fans on social media, and now it’s a truly opened can of worms. We asked the Mirror Football team who they think is the best midfielder in the Premier League right now and, more importantly, why. Here’s what they said:
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james whaling
I don’t know if we can do a £105 million deal. But if I could, it would be Declan Rice.
The England midfielder has taken his career to the next level since leaving West Ham for Arsenal, leading the Hammers to their first major trophy since Trevor Brooking was a youngster.
He is arguably the Gunners’ most important player and will be key to finally ending their Premier League title drought.
Similarly, Thomas Tuchel will need his star midfielder to be firing on all cylinders if he is to shake off a six-decade injury spell in America next summer.
There are many other candidates and Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or before his injury, would have been pegged for this honor, but Rice’s consistency and value to the team gives him the edge.
ben husband
Is this a completely subjective question based on just a vibe? I’m sure it won’t bother anyone.
I currently think the three best midfielders in the league are Rice, Caicedo, and Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenbirch. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice, but I decided to ignore the past two weeks and choose Gravenberch.
Yes, Arne Slott’s team has hit a bit of a wall in the last two weeks, and yes, Grabenwerch has been suffocating during that three-game losing streak. But I will help him get out of his funk and get back to top form quickly. At his best, he can do almost anything…very well.
And like Caicedo, it’s good to remind yourself every now and then that at 23, he still has the potential to be better. In a pinch for less than £35m, he is also one of the most valuable contracts a title contender has signed in recent years. I’m a big fan.
Dan Marsh
Of course others may have a different opinion, but I find it hard to ignore Declan Rice here. Because I think he’s evolved into a different player than the player Arsenal signed for a big sum two years ago. And he was of high quality even back then.
Rice has shown that he is more than just a holding midfielder, adding goals and assists to his game, reaching double-digit goal contributions in both seasons so far in an Arsenal shirt. Part of that is due to his deadly dead balls, which are a big part of Arsenal’s game.
There are so many different aspects to a midfielder’s game, but true elites excel at all of them. Rice has developed into a player who can do it all. And I don’t think anyone is doing it better right now.
samuel mead
The best midfielder in the Premier League is Rodri, who has no trace of competitiveness. However, given the Manchester City star’s long-term injury problem, his current form does not allow him to be named.
If that’s the case, I think it’s either Adam Wharton or Elliott Anderson who will stand out in the first few weeks of the season, but how refreshing to not have either player for a top-six team. That being said, some might argue that it’s easily possible and that it’s only a matter of time before it happens.
Wharton has been impressing for some time now and continues to draw comparisons to some of the game’s greats while playing for a hugely impressive Crystal Palace side. Meanwhile, Anderson is rapidly showing that Nottingham Forest may not be able to keep him for long.
Anderson has starred for the England Under-21s and is currently part of the first team, with both players expected to feature in the World Cup this summer.
daniel ohm
Sure, Bruno Fernandes hasn’t won the trophies that Rodrís or Caicedos have, but it’s hard to argue that he’s not one of the most talented, if not the most talented, midfielders in the Premier League. Just look at the numbers he racked up during his time at Old Trafford.
He scored 100 goals for the Red Devils and also had 86 assists. You would be hard-pressed to find a midfielder who could put together similar numbers.
He has single-handedly led United throughout his time at the club. Is it inconceivable that United would have been relegated without him? I really don’t think so.
Fernandes is one of those rare players who, given the chance, would be perfect against many of United’s rivals. That’s not to discredit the efforts of Rodri, Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, who have emphasized how important they are to their respective sides.
However, the question remains whether their individual performances played as important a role in the club’s fortunes as Fernandes. He can be grumpy at times, but that’s simply because he’s a caring, elite athlete who just wants to win.
scott trotter
Finding the best midfielder in the Premier League is a difficult task given the different roles and responsibilities of the division’s best talent. But if you’re looking for someone who can do it all, it’s hard to ignore Declan Rice.
The England international is firmly in the conversation as one of the best players in the league, but he is not always allowed to use his best talent. Until now, he was misunderstood by many as someone who only had defensive responsibilities in mind. Given the freedom to progress, he will likely find a way to put an end to Paul Scholes’ scoring criticism Despite a slow start to this season, Rice has been notable in Mikel Arteta’s absence. At times it feels like the 26-year-old’s own high standards overwhelm a decent performance. Rice, the destroyer and creator, is as perfect as anyone else.
Importantly, Rice can also perform in some of his biggest moments. Free kicks in the Champions League cannot be ignored. If Arsenal are to be successful, Rice will be central.
nathan ridley
Blimey, this is tough. I think we’re seeing a resurgence of do-it-all midfielders, as opposed to the days of rudimentary No. 10s, No. 8s and No. 6s.
My gut feeling was that it was Rodri, but I haven’t seen enough of him in the past 12 months to reaffirm that he’s still at the top. So I go with Declan Rice. He scores goals from open play and set pieces, is sharp defensively, has the engine to keep going all day long, and is a leader.
I love Arsenal’s new partner Martin Zvimendi, but Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister has proven that at the top level. Moises Caicedo is definitely in the conversation, and I think Sandro Tonali goes under the radar too often in this conversation. Also, can we call Bruno Fernandes a midfielder again? I’m not saying I think Fernandes is the best, but if he were to play in a deeper role, he’d definitely be in the discussion — but with his numbers dwindling, it feels like a Catch-22.
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