Who are the Premier League's best central midfielders?

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10Jul

Who are the Premier League’s best central midfielders?

Having chosen our goalkeeper and defence, this week we’re on the lookout for the best central midfielders as we construct our Premier League select XI. And despite the Life’s a Pitch panel’s firm belief that the 4-4-2 formation has had its day, we’re using it here in tribute to the England manager, Roy Hodgson. A strong early favourite for one of the two central midfield berths is Manchester City’s Yaya Touré, but the competition is fierce as Newcastle’s Cheick Tioté and Yohan Cabaye, Tottenham’s Luka Modric, Michael Carrick of Manchester United, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal are also in contention.

“For me, Yaya Touré has to be the first name on the team sheet,” says the People’s Tom Hopkinson, kicking us off. “I think he’s at his devastating best when he’s given the freedom to crack on and push forward. If we’re going to go for Touré, then Tioté would probably be the perfect man to slot in alongside him and do more of the defensive duties.”

But a defensive-minded player isn’t top of everyone’s priorities. The Sunday Telegraph’s Duncan White reckons he’d go for one of Modric, Carrick or Arteta to play with Touré. ”If you’re looking at the best central midfield players in the Premier League, Luka Modric has to be one you talk about. He’s got everything. He’s only small, but he’s so tenacious. His passing range is unbelievable. I think Michael Carrick had a fantastic season last season, he was one of United’s best players. I also think Mikel Arteta at Arsenal had a good season, he grew into that pivot role.”

Talking of Carrick, the Daily Mirror’s John Cross considers him criminally underrated. “He is so consistently good for Man Utd as they win trophy after trophy, year after year, that we take him for granted, become complacent, and suddenly come to this conclusion that, actually, he’s not that good after all. To stay at Man Utd, to keep winning trophies – he’s been superb.”

Watch the video to find out which central midfielders the Life’s a Pitch panel and host Mike Calvin select for the Premier League XI.

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above.

Vote for who you think are the Premier League’s best central midfielders in our online poll

The Life’s A Pitch Premier League Select XI (so far)
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Left-back: Ashley Cole
Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany
Centre-back: Joleon Lescott

Related articles:

Video: Who is the Premier League’s best goalkeeper?

Video: Who are the Premier League’s best full-backs?

Video: Who are the Premier League’s best centre-backs?

Video: Podolski, Kagawa and Foster – Hit or miss?

Video: Walcott to Chelsea, Arsenal eye Lloris, Davies to Liverpool?

Ed Malyon: South American aces coming to a Premier League club near you

Follow Life’s A Pitch on Twitter @BTLifesaPitch

Comments

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milky

Not Luka Modric!!! He is average and a poor mans David Silva.
And I’m a Spurs fan
152814

Ya ya toure is probably in the top 3 in his position in the world. He has it all. Pace, power, stamina, tackling and he can finish when he has to. You also won’t find another player who can put a good shift anywhere on a pitch.
redandwhitestripe

Wilshire, Carrick and Scholes are the best english cms from a sunderland season ticket holder for the last 15 years who has seen all three live. Scholes possibly the most technically gifted english player of all time and anyone else who has seen him live im sure will agree he is a joy to watch. Shame english football doesnt understand skill and missused him internationally. I remember his brilliant hat trick for england against poland and the winner for england against scotland at hamden, not to mention his brilliant goal against tunisia in the 98 world cup. what a player.
Midgetdan2003

Haha u put carrick in he one of the most overated players in the prem he struggles to make a 5 yard pass same as darren fletcher the difference between man utd and man cuty is there midfields man citys is liads stronger i the three best have probably been yaya toure david silva and ramires.
Redscot

Well said my Mackem friend on Michael Carrick and the deservedly much lauded Paul Schole’s.Probably the most technically gifted , current Barcelona – esque player the Premiership years have had the joy to watch .
Personally I’m not enjoying the way so far the ‘ life is a pitch ‘ top XI is shaping up , with one non Manchester City player selected out of the 5 chosen so far.I guess being a balanced Manchester United fan I know right and wrong , its fair ! .As much as that pain’s me to me to admit that .There are obvious reason’s for that ‘huge ‘ swing , which financial experts on the money invested in the respective starting 11 and squad development ,would draw .
For a huge global icon that is Manchester United it’s a disgrace that on a a very simple ‘ journalists ‘ pole( no disrespect meant ) not one Manchester United player’s feature’s to date .
Hence partially in sentiment , partially in the unexpected shock wave return , partially for the proof in stats , he completed the most passes, after his January re-incarnation .
I will go for the ginger prince. Again begrudgingly Ya Ya Toure . How Manchester City toiled when he was on duty in the African cup of nation’s , is a measurement of his quality .The man is pure class, just very expensive in wages , ex Barcelona class.
Nemanja Vidic should have been in this list , these are the season turning moments , when working with fine ‘ margin’s ‘. But like all United supporter’s out of adversity , appears a , erm who , Jonny Evan’s , who after the sending of in the City game was like a Pique .Just not with the ‘ mistake in him , that the Spaniard still does possess.
Cutting through all my ‘nonesense ‘ and I guess ,thinking back to last season .I just love my club , it’s my life really.
So I will go with Ya Ya Toure , and Paul Scholes , for the Life’s a Pitch , central midfielder’s for last season .If this site does not add Scholes in, hell and wrath of ‘me ‘ will come down upon thee ! lol
Ps redandwhitestripe , it’s Hampden mate , from a young Scottish Manchester United supporter . Joking of course as us Jock’s do , spelling is my worst , least capable area when writing about the club i love ..
Manchester United .
LUHG.
genieoutthelamp

Midgetdan2003 - only difference between man u and man c last year was goal difference because vidic was injured. not a single point.
tsylr

no alex song???
Chrismoussa1

for me, i’d have steven gerrard and yaya toure as my central midfielders and i’d have a mata, or a david silva type player playing as a centre foward or a support striker in a 4-4-2 formation. Initially, i’d have an ultimate goal poacher like van persie in front of the centre foward or beside him. This would be my dream 4-4-2 squad. Essentially, I’d have one winger as one who likes to take on the full-backs in the corner and likes to cross the ball in, and i’d like the other to cut in on the opposite foot across the box.
Anonymous

Yaya Toure no doubt. City is a different team without him.
Kombejames75

we are not talking of goal diferance here!!!!
Dave

Carrick??????????

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Gerrard, Ramires, Wilshere, Song, Felliani, Modric

All MUCH better than Carrick who’s never been a top class player.
Dave

Oh and don’t forget Cabaye. Also MUCH better than Carrick!

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