The best midfielders in the Premier League (2025/26)

The Premier League era has been littered with talismanic midfield generals, with the modern-day certainly no different.

From Patrick Vieira vs Roy Keane, to Steven Gerrard’s one-man show at Liverpool, the top-flight has been a showcase for the cream of the crop over the last 30 years or so.

It’s hard to argue against Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes being the benchmark right now, with the Portuguese genius arguably in the running to be the division’s best player, let alone its best midfielder.

Chasing the assist record, the 31-year-old has gone to a new level following Ruben Amorim’s departure from Old Trafford, ensuring he’s the man to beat in the top-flight pecking order.

Who’s rivalling him? Well, we’ve put together a list of the best midfielders in the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.

Here’s a more detailed look at the top ten…

10

Granit Xhaka

One of the most surprising deals of the summer has proven the most astute, with Sunderland reaping the rewards of landing the ex-Arsenal man on a £13m deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

The now Black Cats skipper has quickly cemented talismanic status at the Stadium of Light, an integral part of what has been a promising first season back in the big time for the play-off winners.

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9

Enzo Fernandez

At one stage Britain’s most expensive player, following his £107m switch from Benfica, Fernandez has slowly but surely shown why he’s worthy of such a lofty price tag.

A key figure at Stamford Bridge, and part of last summer’s Club World Cup triumph, the Argentine is Chelsea’s modern-may Frank Lampard as that box-crashing, goalscoring midfielder.

8

Sandro Tonali

The best midfielder in the league, in the view of Paul Scholes, Tonali hasn’t been at his brilliant best of late, although he remains a centre-piece of Eddie Howe’s side.

Partnering another man on this list, the Italian is an old-fashioned, all-action, box-to-box midfielder, having notably attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal in recent times.

7

Morgan Rogers

One of those in the running to start in Thomas Tuchel’s England midfield this summer, Rogers has been Aston Villa’s main man again in 2025/26, so often delivering the goods from range.

In an era of safe and steady top-flight football, the 23-year-old’s knack for producing the spectacular is a joy to behold – just as it was last term.

6

Bruno Guimaraes

In a similar mould to Fernandes at Old Trafford, is any club quite so reliant on a player than Newcastle United are on Guimaraes?

He is the beating heart of the Magpies, and while the club’s Premier League form has dipped this year, the Brazilian remains one of the league’s very best.

5

Martin Zubimendi

He may have arrived in the Premier League a year too late for Liverpool’s liking, although Zubimendi has slotted in smoothly alongside Declan Rice this season, emerging as a central figure in Arsenal’s title push.

Part of Spain’s Euro 2024 success, the ex-Real Sociedad man is on course to secure further honours at the Emirates in 2025/26.

4

Dominik Szoboszlai

If Enzo Fernandez is Chelsea’s modern-day Lampard, could Szoboszlai – whisper it quietly – be the second-coming of Gerrard at Anfield?

Like the Englishman, he’s here, there and everywhere, popping up at right-back, right-midfield or in the centre. Midfield is certainly his preferred home, however, with the Hungarian the undoubted shining light in a rocky season for Arne Slot’s side.

3

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea’s record signing remains the glue holding it all together at Stamford Bridge, having overcome a slow start to life in west London to emerge as one of the division’s very best.

From Claude Makelele to N’Golo Kante, this is a club that knows all about dominant, defensive midfielders, with the 24-year-old already in the conversation alongside that stellar duo.

2

Declan Rice

If Arsenal are to win the title this season, then Rice will be firmly in the mix for the league’s Player of the Year award, having been the driving force for the Gunners once again.

The attacking unit hasn’t exactly clicked into gear at the Emirates, but no matter, Rice’s powerhouse performances are more than enough to help Mikel Arteta’s side dominate – and that’s before even mentioning his set-piece brilliance…

1

Bruno Fernandes

There is a world in which the United skipper moved on from the Theatre of Dreams last summer, with Amorim playing a key role in convincing his compatriot to stay put amid rampant interest from Al Hilal.

The former Sporting CP playmaker shunned the Saudi riches, and now looks set to lead the Red Devils back into the Champions League, enjoying one of his finest Premier League campaigns to date.

At a time when questions are being asked regarding the lack of quality and personality in English football, Fernandes certainly bucks the trend.