20 Best Midfielders in the Premier League Right Now (2026)

The Premier League has been home to some of the best midfielders in the world over the years. Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes are just a handful of names that come to mind when discussing those who have patrolled the middle of the park since the league’s inception in 1992. That quintet, of course, have long since retired, and there are now a new batch of star names in England’s top tier.

The Premier League is the top league in the world, and thus, some of the very best talents on the planet tend to flock to the division. There is a vast array of impressive midfield players plying their trade in England’s top flight, and picking the best of the bunch is not an easy task by any means. But who are the current top midfielders in the division?

Below is an attempt to answer that question. Be warned – this list is only our opinion and is not definitive. A whole host of factors have been taken into consideration when formulating the standings below. It also has to be considered that some midfielders are more defensive-minded, while others are tasked with making more telling contributions going the other way. The following factors have been taken into account when making this list.

Ranking Factors

• How well they performed throughout the 2024/25 season.
• Their status compared to other midfielders in the English top flight – where do they stand in the pecking order?
• Injuries – any sustained periods on the sidelines were taken into consideration.
• Overall importance to their respective teams – how well do their sides perform with/without them?
• Success – how successful they have been at their current sides, both collectively and individually.

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20

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool

Since arriving at Liverpool from Brighton, Alexis Mac Allister has adapted to the Reds’ style of play seamlessly — despite often being utilised in unfamiliar territory: the number six role. Screening the defence was not part of the Argentine’s duties on the south coast, with him more likened to their creative hub, but that has changed since his well-earned move following Argentina’s World Cup triumph.

Having claimed a Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season at the club, Mac Allister’s performances have dipped a little in 2025/26, although Liverpool as a team have looked out of sorts. Nevertheless, the 2022 World Cup champion has proven what he can do over multiple years in England, so it shouldn’t be too long until we see him rediscover his best form.

19

Youri Tielemans

Aston Villa

Youri Tielemans was vital for Aston Villa during their memorable Champions League run in 2024/25, and was just as important in another impressive league season. The Belgian is as tenacious as he is technical in the middle of the park, with his hard-working nature complementing the wonderful passing range he possesses.

He has missed a substantial chunk of action because of injuries this term, but he has shown just how valuable he can be to the Villans’ setup. Unai Emery looks to have turned the club’s fortunes around after a difficult start to the season, and Tielemans has been a big reason for that.

18

Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace

Adam Wharton is well on his way to becoming the next £100m+ midfielder in the Premier League. The very biggest clubs in England will all be keeping a close eye on his progress at Selhurst Park over the next several months.

Ever since arriving at Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers, the 21-year-old has exuded intelligence and confidence at the heart of his team. A youngster who could be heading to the World Cup in America this year, Wharton’s price tag could become eye-watering if he continues to improve at his current rate, even if recent form has somewhat stalled.

17

Tijjani Reijnders

Manchester City

Tijjani Reijnders was always expected to be a success at Manchester City after signing for £46 million from AC Milan in the summer. However, the Netherlands international hit the ground running quicker than even Pep Guardiola would’ve expected.

Netting a debut goal against Wolves before more impressive displays against the likes of Arsenal in the early parts of the season, Reijnders is already among the finest midfielders in the division. His ability to arrive inside the penalty area at the right time is uncanny, as is his cute ability in possession of the football.

16

Florian Wirtz

Liverpool

There have been plenty of teething issues with Florian Wirtz, who has gone missing in several high-profile matches for Liverpool this term. His £116m transfer fee meant that he was always going to be under a microscope — and fans really haven’t seen the best of him yet.

But there can be no doubt about the quality he possesses. During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, the 22-year-old won back-to-back Bundesliga Player of the Season awards, scoring 21 goals and registering 23 assists in 63 appearances during that timeframe. Recently, he has been one of the Reds’ best performers, he just needs to continue that upturn in form to rise up this ranking.

15

Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea

Having cost a then-British transfer fee record of £106 million when Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January 2023, the Argentine midfielder is evidence that patience can pay off. In recent months, he’s proven himself as one of the finest examples of a box-crasher, regularly producing when he makes late runs into the final third.

A man of the big occasion, Fernandez is the glue between Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer, and he’s a big reason as to why the Blues take so much pride in their engine room. The fact he is this low down isn’t a criticism of his, but rather proof of how many great middle men there are in English football right now.

14

Sandro Tonali

Newcastle United

After the whole betting scandal and subsequent ban that followed it, Sandro Tonali could have been forgiven for not being in the right frame of mind to play football and for him to have taken a while to get up to speed. Instead, the Italian produced his most influential performances to date in a Newcastle shirt in the 2024/2025 season, and was instrumental in the Magpies’ success in the Carabao Cup and a return to the Champions League via a top-five finish.

There’s every reason to believe that Tonali will just keep getting better and better, and Eddie Howe’s deployment of him in the pivot role has certainly seemed to transform Newcastle’s fortunes. He’s continued to play his part in midfield, keeping things ticking while contributing with assists in both domestic and European football this term.

13

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

For years, it seemed as if Martin Odegaard would fail to deliver on the early promise that saw him become Real Madrid’s youngest-ever player and a goalscorer in the Norwegian top flight at the age of just 15. However, strong loan spells at Heerenveen and Real Sociedad gave him a platform to showcase his ability, and Arsenal moved to sign him permanently after a short stint on loan for the second part of the 2020/21 season.

He has only been at the Emirates Stadium for four years, yet he is already the club captain and one of the Premier League’s best players. Odegaard has been the orchestrator of many of their attacks during the last three seasons, as the north London outfit have become one of the most dominant sides in the league. While he’s struggled with multiple injuries so far in 2025/26, that’s no reason to question his talent.

12

Granit Xhaka

Sunderland

While Arsenal might have made the correct decision to part ways with Granit Xhaka, what the Switzerland international has accomplished since then has been nothing short of remarkable. An invincible with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side, the veteran returned to English soil following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League.

Since joining the Black Cats, Xhaka has continued to show just how impactful he can be, captaining the side to some mammoth victories this term. The 33-year-old is the heartbeat of the team and will be pivotal to their ambitions this term – there can be no question over him being the signing of the season so far.

11

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

Newcastle United will live to regret allowing youth academy product Elliot Anderson to leave St James’ Park. Sacrificing the young Englishman to help the club’s PSR situation, the Magpies will already be wondering exactly why they allowed him to leave under any circumstances.

Anderson made his England debut at the start of the 2025-26 season, and looked like a player who had been part of the international set-up for many years, such was his comfort in the middle of the park. His passing range has improved immeasurably, while Anderson also isn’t afraid of driving forward with the ball at his feet. Nothing fazes the 23-year-old, and he looks set to be Thomas Tuchel’s go-to system player at the World Cup.