Over the years, we have seen many incredible midfielders and these players have been active for both club and country.
Central Midfielders play an integral part in any team’s setup, as a good midfielder handles winning back the ball, dictating play on the pitch, as well as setting up goal scoring opportunities.
Each midfielder has unique abilities, which make them talented in their own right.
CMs come in all shapes and sizes, which often makes it difficult to compare them with one another.
FourFourTwo have given their best shot picking out the 10 players they believe to be the greatest men in the middle of the pitch.
Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich and Spain)
Alcantara, 27, combines South America street –smartness and dribbling skills with Spanish control and passing ability.
The Spaniard is comfortable on the ball in tight spaces an can navigate his way out of sticky situations.
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City and Portugal)
"He's one of the most talented players I've ever seen, he can play three of four positions. Maybe this season he's one of the two, three best players in the Premier League," said Pep Guardiola about Bernardo Silva.
Silva was snapped up as wide player originally who has been assumed an influential central ole in the absence of an injured Kevin de Bruyne.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United and France)
Paul Pogba’s remarkable ability isn’t in doubt, even if he hasn’t shown it quite as often as we would like to see. The 25-year-old can pass, dribble and score.
The France international has all the technical and physical abilities you could ask for. Pogba was nowhere near the peak of his powers under Jose Mourinho. But In Solskjaer's matches alone he's netted nine goals and laid on another seven for team-mates, demonstrating the brilliance that helped France win a World Cup in 2018.
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona and Spain)
Busquets, 30, remains one of the world’s leading examples of the No. 6 position.
One of the most intelligent football players on the world has never been the most mobile but in the correct midfielder make-up, the Spaniard still has plenty to offer.
Miralem Pjanic (Juventus and Bosnia)
Pjanic, 28, is a stand-out midfielder with possesses technique, vision and intelligence. The Bosnian is a glorious player who dictates the tempo of matches for the Bianconeri and has been one of Europe's.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City and Belgium)
Creative, Athletic, skilful and dynamic De Bruyne is arguably the most complete player in the world. The Belgium international has the technical ability of a luxury player without being anything like a luxury.
Free No.8, can pass, shoot, dribble, tackle and cross-and all with either foot. However, he has suffered from injury and started only seven league games this term.
David Silva (Manchester City and Spain)
David Silva’s decision-making is almost flawless. His tremendous technique means he’s invariably able to execute those ideas of Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard is one of Manchester City’s greatest ever players. He is showing no sign of slowing down after eight years in the Premier League.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid and Germany)
Kroos is the pass master who rarely gives possession away and sets the tempo, makes things tick.
The German international is smart and he is able to find space in a crowded centre.
N'Golo Kante (Chelsea and France)
Chelsea’s Kante is quick, tenacious and intelligent. He is much more than a sitting midfielder who patrols a small area of the pitch.
The World-Cup winner has almost redefined what it means to be an all-action, non-stop bundle of energy in the middle of the park.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid and Croatia)
Luka Modric, 33, has got even better with age. He helped Croatia to reach the World Cup final for the first time in their history, helped Real Madrid win their third consecutive Champions league trophy.
Modric is a superb passer who is also adept at carrying the ball forward and driving into space.
Luka Modric made history in December by becoming the first player to win the Ballon d'Or that wasn't named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo since 2007.
