5 defensive midfielders every Premier League club wishes they had: The real engines of modern football

Last Updated on 27 December 2025

In an era where tactics evolve weekly and transitions decide titles, no role has become more essential, or more difficult to perfect, than the defensive midfielder.

They’re the destroyers, the metronomes, the glue between defence and attack. They read danger before it exists, launch counters with a single pass, and quietly control games without ever chasing the spotlight.

Here are five defensive midfielders every Premier League side wishes they had.

5 – The one that can thread the needle – Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

One of the most impressive midfielders over the last year or so, Adam Wharton has gained a huge amount of admirers all over Europe.

That is why it hardly comes as a surprise seeing the 21-year-old being linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. Crystal Palace have already set a huge price tag, in case any club aims to formalize their interest.

Wharton may not be your typical defensive midfielder but he is definitely a deep-lying playmaker. His skillset is a little different to what you get from a general defensive midfielder but it’s just as important.

4 – The silky and strong presence – Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion)

A powerful and strong presence, who can dribble and bulldoze his way through any midfield, Carlos Baleba is a gem.

Still only 21, Baleba was subject to formal interest from Manchester United in the summer. It would come as no surprise if they come calling for him again in January or next summer.

Baleba is a machine when it comes to winning back possession. But that’s not the only thing he contributes to the team. The Cameroonian is adept at carrying the ball and dribbling through a crowd with relative ease.

3 – The one that can do it all – Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)

It is actually remarkable how Newcastle United let a talent like Elliot Anderson slip through the cracks.

During his time in Nottingham, Anderson has truly come into his own. He has been, without a doubt, one of the most impressive players in 2025 and deserved his senior call-up to England.

Not only is the 23-year-old a great ball-winner, but he’s also an incredible volume passer. He can break-up play, create and dictate tempo.

It really does not get much better than what Anderson has been producing and if he keeps it up, no one will be surprised if he gets a nine-figure move to a big club.

2 – The unattainable ones – Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo (Arsenal and Chelsea)

It is quite well-documented how Liverpool’s Premier League record bid failed to convince Moises Caicedo and instead, he joined Chelsea.

Similarly, Arsenal laid the groundwork long before any other club could enter the race and snagged up Declan Rice for a major sum.

Those two will not be leaving London, at least any time soon. They are currently the best players in their position and it is a coin-toss as to who is better and offers more.

Caicedo often goes under the radar for his on-the-ball work, which is unfair considering how great he can be in possession. His talent in winning back the ball, in the Premier League, is unmatched.

On the other hand, Rice is the complete midfielder. He loves to drive from box-to-box, he’s a supreme athlete and offers a wide range of services through his set-pieces. In fact, his accurate deliveries might be worth millions, given how often Arsenal score from them.

1 – The Ballon d’Or winner – Rodri (Manchester City)

If Rice and Caicedo are as good as they are, how come Rodri is ranked higher than them?

Well, for starters, he has done that exact role to a much higher degree of success. Individual and club.

Secondly, Rodri is almost like a much better and complete version of Elliot Anderson. He wins duels for win, he’s a volume passer, and he contributes with important goals.

His impact was so important on one of the best club sides ever assembled, that even Pep Guardiola was out of answers, at least for a few months, when Rodri got injured in 2024.

The only question is, can Rodri get back to that level and fully recover from that ACL?