Sport
Greatest defensive midfielders in Premier League history
Since the start of the century, the midfield game has evolved tremendously in football. The classic pair of central midfielder has been adapted into a host of new roles. One key role has been the reliance of a defensive midfielder to sit in front of the back four. Not only do they protect the back line, the holding midfielder is also a key part of dictating a team’s tempo and building up attacks. It’s a phenomenon that has become a common sight in the Premier League and the one that has seen some of the best practice this role to perfection. With that in mind, who are the greatest defensive midfielders in Premier League history?
Paul Ince
There were few ground-breaking players quite like Paul Ince. Not only did he break down barriers around race and colour, but he was a radically different player the world was used to. With limitless stamina, Ince was able to use his physicality to disrupt attacking opposition as well as use meticulous passes to move play forward. It was this all-around style that saw Alex Ferguson bring Ince to Old Trafford from West Ham 1989. By the time the Premier League formed in 1992, Ince was already a superstar for Manchester United. It was why he hardly missed a game in the first three seasons of the Premier League before moving to Inter Milan in 1995. Ince returned to England in 1997 with Liverpool and would be a top flight mainstay with both Liverpool and Middlesbrough. Ince’s impact was felt all-round the league by not only winning two Premier League titles with United but also being included in the first three PFA Premier League Team of the Years. Ince’s legacy was finalized in 2003 when he was included in the Premier League Team of the Decade in 2003. A true legend of the game.
Roy Keane
When it comes to no-nonsense playing, few made this clearer than Roy Keane. Always bringing a steely-edge to his game, Keane disrupted opponents with bone-crunching tackles and impactful interceptions. However, his physicality was matched by his excellent passing and unmatched understanding of the game. It was why Keane was such an influential presence at both Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. Being the anchor midfielder for Manchester United, Keane was at the heart of a United team that dominated the 1990s and 2000s. The Irishman made his presence felt by winning 7 Premier league titles as well as being named Footballer of the Year in 2000. His tenacity in the middle of the park was underlined further by being included in both the English Hall of Fame and the Premier League Hall of Fame after he retired. It’s why fewer players are more memorable than Keano.
Patrick Vieira
Merging toughness with finesse, there weren’t too many holding midfielders quite like Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman brought hard tackling to shut down opponents but could thread exquisite passes just as easily. It was why he was such an asset to Arsenal upon joining The Gunners in 1996. From here, Vieira would create history by leading them to three Premier League titles including captaining The Invincibles in the 2003/04 season. Vieira’s consistency game after game made him an icon during his 9 year run in English football including being named in 6 Premier League Team of the Year. Having also been named Premier League Player of the Season in 2001, Vieira’s legacy was cemented by being included in the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022. An outstanding player who oozed class no matter who he faced up against.
Michael Essien
Michael Essien was a somewhat unknown quantity when he joined Chelsea in 2005 but that was hardly the case when he left to join AC Milan in 2014. The Ghanaian midfielder took English football by storm thanks to a mix of firm tackles, endless energy and excellent long-range passing. Hardly losing a duel, Essien played big roles in both Premier League titles he won with The Blues in 2006 and 2009. His excellent consistency game after game saw Essien named Chelsea Player of the Year in 2007 as well as named Ghana Footballer of the Year in 2007. This was further underlined by being included in 4 CAF Team of the Year selections as one of Africa’s best footballers throughout the 2000s. With such a wide range of accolades, Essien still has a rich legacy that shines to this day.
Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Silva may not have had the flair that other Brazilian stars showcased but he was just as crucial in bringing success wherever he played. Silva’s best run came in English football with Arsenal after he joined from Atletico Miniero in 2002. Gilberto’s ability to intercept play as well as wide breadth of passing made him a key cog of the Arsenal side for much of the 2000s. The Brazilian was a key part of The Invincibles that won the 2003/04 title and securing a place in British football history. This rich vein of form came to an end in 2008 when he left to join Greek side Panathinaikos. Despite this, he was a star for Arsenal who is still fondly remembered to this very day.
Gareth Barry
There are fewer footballers who have earned quite as much Premier League experience than Gareth Barry. Throughout a career spanning 3 decades, Barry shone as a defensive midfielder that could neutralise attacks as well as deliver devastating passes from anywhere on the pitch. His clean strikes of the ball also made Barry a reliable set-piece taker especially when it came to converting penalty. For half of his career, Barry was a leading figure for boyhood side Aston Villa before having successful stints with both Manchester City and Everton. It would take a move to City for Barry to win his only title (in the 2011/12 season) but he still a career full of highlights. Not only did he star in over 600 Premier League games, he was twice named Everton Player of the Season later on his career. A reliable player who always gave everything no matter who he played for.
Fernandinho
When it comes to defensive midfielders in the game today, few have been as impactful as Fernandinho. With no real weaknesses in his game, the Brazilian could make hefty challenges as well as deliver sublime passes or explosive shots. This all-round game made him a mainstay at Manchester City immediately after joining from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013. From there, he would be a key part of City’s dominance of English football in the 2010s winning 5 Premier League titles in 9 seasons. As well as making over 260 appearances for City, he was also named in the 2019 Premier League Team of the Season underlining his consistent impact on the game. A true legend who shined among many other stars in recent seasons.
N’Golo Kante
You will be hard pressed to find a player who had a fairytale rise in football quite like N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman made an immediate impact in English after joining Leicester from Caen in 2015. Kante’s drive and ability to press opponents made him a superstar in Leicester’s fairytale title win during the 2015/16 season. After this success, he moved to Chelsea and has continued to be a star within English football. Kante’s drive and endless stamina has seen him become the modern archetype of a holding midfielder and one many stars have tried to emulate. This is a reason why he has been named in 2 Premier League Team of the Season and was also named 2017 Premier League Player of the Year. It’s these endless trail of accolades that has made Kante a star of any team he plays for.
Claude Makelele
When people mention defensive midfielders, Claude Makelele is always one of the first names that springs to mind. Using his wide range of defensive skills, Makelele could easily shut teams down in a more advanced area of the pitch and also make killer passes from within his own half. It was a skillset hardly seen in English football before the Frenchman joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2004. Over the next five seasons, he was one of Chelsea’s star players in an era when The Blues won 2 league titles. His efforts were always well-received such as winning Chelsea’s Player of the Year award in 2006 and also being named in the 2005 FifPro World XI. After leaving Chelsea in 2009, Makelele’s influence was further underlined by being named in ESPN’s Team of the Decade for the 2000s and constantly referred to being one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time.
