Rodri combines the old and new demands of the position. He is a four-time Manchester City league champion and won the 2024 Ballon d’Or. In Pep Guardiola’s title-winning sides, his value has extended beyond breaking up attacks: he gives City a reliable outlet and helps turn possession into pressure.
That all-round influence helps explain his place above more combative predecessors. The ranking puts Keane second and Vieira third. Keane was the driving force and leader in Manchester United’s midfield; Vieira brought authority, physical range and technical quality to Arsenal, helping the club win three league titles. Their strengths still define the role, even as expectations have broadened.
Kanté, fourth, bridges the eras. His relentless ball-winning helped him win back-to-back league titles with Leicester City and Chelsea. Yaya Touré, fifth, offered a different kind of threat: his 20-goal 2013-14 campaign for Manchester City remains an exceptional return for a midfielder.
Chelsea features prominently, with Claude Makélélé, Michael Essien, Nemanja Matić and Moisés Caicedo also included. Manchester United has Michael Carrick and Casemiro, while Liverpool is represented by the contrasting passing range of Xabi Alonso and ball-winning of Fabinho. Gareth Barry and Mark Noble round out the list, reminders that longevity and leadership can matter as much as silverware.
The next test for the position is whether a new generation can match Rodri’s blend of authority and distribution. As teams demand more from their deepest midfielder, the debate over what makes the role great is unlikely to stand still.