The best Premier League midfielders of 2024-25 so far

Who is the best midfielder in the Premier League right now?
Midfield is a complex position on the pitch, with various roles even when you focus solely on the central areas. You’ve got No.10s, No.8s and No.6s as the main positions.
The best No.10s have already been ranked, so this is solely focusing on the No.8s and No.6s.
We’ve used our Squawka Score to pick out the best 10 this season. Our rating system factors in a variety of statistical categories, both defensive and attacking.
With the 2024-25 season past its halfway stage, the best central midfielder in the Premier League by Squawka Score is James Maddison. He sits ahead of Mikkel Damsgaard and Martin Odegaard, both of whom have done well this season. Ryan Gravenberch has also scored highly, alongside Thomas Partey and Moises Caicedo
- James Maddison (Tottenham) – 78%
- Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) – 75%
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) – 71%
- Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 68%
- Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – 68%
- Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 68%
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 66%
- Mateo Kovacic (Man City) – 66%
- Pape Sarr (Tottenham) – 64%
- Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) – 64%
Read on for more detail on these central midfield rankings.
NB: Only players with at least half of the possible (1,080) minutes across the season under their belts are considered.

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More Premier League player rankings:
- Who are the Premier League’s best right-backs in 2024-25?
- Who are the Premier League’s best strikers in 2024-25?
- Who are the Premier League’s best centre-backs in 2024-25?
10. Sandro Tonali
- Team: Newcastle
- Squawka Score: 64%
Sandro Tonali had a slightly delayed start to the season, but he slotted back into the Newcastle midfielder like he hadn’t left. Tonali has been a good ball-winner for Newcastle this season, averaging 3.94 possessions won in the middle third per 90 minutes in the Premier League. The Italian has also made 1.35 interceptions and won 1.23 tackles per 90.
9. Pape Sarr
- Team: Tottenham
- Squawka Score: 64%
Pape Sarr has been a much-needed presence at the heart of Ange Postecoglou’s midfield, protecting the defence to allow the rest of the team to be more attacking. Sarr averages 1.36 interceptions per 90 and 1.72 tackles won. He’s also won 6.31 duels per 90 and completed 81.82% of his attempted forward passes in the Premier League this season.
8. Alexis Mac Allister
- Team: Liverpool
- Squawka Score: 66%
Alexis Mac Allister has played across the midfield for Arne Slot, fitting into a more defensive role recently. He’s everywhere on the pitch for Liverpool, proving his quality in both defensive and attacking phases. Mac Allister has won 2.04 tackles per 90 in the league this season and won 0.77 possessions in the attacking third. The Argentine also boasts a retention rate of 85.21%, with 87.57% open-play passing accuracy.
7. Mateo Kovacic
- Team: Man City
- Squawka Score: 66%
Mateo Kovacic has had to step up for Manchester City this season. Pep Guardiola’s side have been without Rodri for most of the campaign, and the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is pretty hard to replace. But Kovacic is doing his best. The Croatian is already known for his passing, and boasts a very good retention rate of 91.16% this season. The Croatian has also completed 93.37% of his passes from open play, top among midfielders with at least 1,080 minutes played. Defensively, Kovacic has chipped in with an average of 1.57 tackles won per 90.
6. Thomas Partey
- Team: Arsenal
- Squawka Score: 68%
Thomas Partey has occasionally been deployed as a right-back; however, he is primarily recognised as Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice for the defensive midfield position. His performance metrics reflect his effectiveness in this role: He averages 1.94 tackles won and 1.26 interceptions per 90 , showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing plays and contribute defensively to the Gunners’ overall team play.
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5. Moises Caicedo
- Team: Chelsea
- Squawka Score: 68%
Moises Caicedo looks like a new man under Enzo Maresca. The Ecuadorian has been generally good in 2024 but has reached another level this season. Caicedo has averaged 1.9 tackles won per 90 in the Premier League at the base of Chelsea’s midfield. Caicedo has also averaged 1.4 interceptions retaining possession per 90 in the league, with just 0.89 unsuccessful touches.
4. Ryan Gravenberch
- Team: Liverpool
- Squawka Score: 68%
Ryan Gravenberch’s conversion to a No.6 has played a big role in Liverpool’s control of the Premier League title race. The Dutchman looks a completely new man under Slot, averaging 1.81 interceptions retaining possession per 90 in the Premier League this season. He also boasts a retention rate of 88.07%, proving reliable on the ball. Gravenberch has been a good protector for a Liverpool defence that has conceded just 0.88 Expected Goals per 90 while the Dutchman has been on the pitch.
3. Martin Odegaard
- Team: Arsenal
- Squawka Score: 71%
Sometimes Martin Odegaard’s influence on the Arsenal midfield is shown by his absence. The Gunners have generally looked better with Odegaard in the midfield. The Norwegian has averaged 4.83 touches in the opposition box per 90 this season, the more than any other central midfielder this season. He also ranks top for completed through balls per 90 at 0.49, and second for penalty area entries (7.55). But his lack of intentional assists and open-play goals lets him down slightly.
2. Mikkel Damsgaard
- Team: Brentford
- Squawka Score: 75%
Mikkel Damsgaard is getting a lot of love right now, and it’s easy to see why. The Brentford midfielder is enjoying a productive season, averaging 0.35 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League. That’s the most of any central midfielder in the league this season. The Dane has also averaged 0.5 big chances created per 90, with 45.73% of his attempted passes going into the final third. Damsgaard has constantly looked to get Brentford up the pitch.
1. James Maddison
- Team: Tottenham
- Squawka Score: 78%
James Maddison has found playing time harder to come by as the season has gone on, but he scores highly. It’s helped that he is an attack-minding player playing in a slightly deeper role that you’d expect. Maddison is still having an influence despite the deeper starting position, averaging 8 penalty area entries per 90 and 0.28 big chances created per 90 in the Premier League this season. He’s also recorded 0.21 intentional assists per 90, and ranks second among central midfielders for touches in the opposition box (4.76).
How do Squawka’s ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
Using extensive research and our expertise, we tailored each score to the players’ respective positions. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.