The best midfielders in the Premier League (2026/27)

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 producing a jaw-dropping season in 2025/26.

Beating 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 in 2026/27.

Who’s rivalling him? Well, we’ve put together a list of the best midfielders in the Premier League right now.

10

Youri Tielemans – Manchester United

In the summer of 2026, Youri Tielemans did not push for a move. He didn’t want to leave Aston Villa behind. However, out of the blue, Man United came calling.

They activated a clause in his contract at Villa to sign the Belgian for a fee of just £35m. Considering the price tags that were met to sign other midfielders this year, it was a remarkable bargain as the Red Devils picked up one of the best midfielders in Premier League.

9

Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is now a Premier League winner and at the start of 2026/27, he is reminding everyone of just how good he is.

You have to go back a long time now, all the way to 2022/23 to remember the last time the Norwegian truly set the world alight. That campaign, no midfielder in the English top-flight scored more than his 15.

Yet, in recent years, he has been well off the pace, netting just once in 2025/26. However, in the new season’s showpiece event – the Community Shield – he scored against Manchester City, created a pre-assist for the second goal and won the Man of the Match award.

8

Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea

One of the Premier League’s most expensive ever signings, the Argentine has only been going from strength to strength at Chelsea, playing a more predominant role in attack after Cole Palmer’s injury struggles.

The World Cup winner scored ten goals and supplied four assists last term to cement his position as one of the best in the division.

7

Sandro Tonali – Spurs

The best midfielder in the league, in the view of Paul Scholes, Tonali earned a mega £100m move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2026, becoming their club-record signing in the process.

The Italian is an old-fashioned, all-action, box-to-box midfielder, and also attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal before joining their fierce rivals.

6

Elliot Anderson – Manchester City

When England travelled to the World Cup this summer, Elliot Anderson partnered Declan Rice in the middle of the park.

Why? Well, the former Nottingham Forest star was simply exceptional last season, subsequently earning a whopping £116m move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest.

5

Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Chelsea’s former 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.

4

Bruno Guimaraes – Arsenal

Bruno was the beating heart of the Magpies for several years, leading them out of their trophy drought and into greater times. That was, however, until the Brazilian left St James’ Park behind.

Undoubtedly one of the finest midfielders on the globe right now, Guimaraes left Newcastle alongside Tonali and Anthony Gordon in the summer of 2026, departing for Premier League champions Arsenal to the tune of £75m.

He’s a warrior, a fighter and the ultimate teammate.

3

Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool

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 2025/26 season.

2

Declan Rice – Arsenal

With Arsenal winning the title, Rice has established himself as not just one of the best players at the Emirates Stadium but one of the best players in the Premier League and indeed on the entire planet.

The attacking unit hasn’t exactly clicked into gear in north London, 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 – Manchester United

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 led 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. For good measure, he also broke the Premier League’s assist record, registering 21, more than Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s haul of 20.