Engine-room stars: The 10 best Premier League midfielders right now, ranked | OneFootball

The Premier League is packed full of talent and rankings of any kind are both tough and likely to cause serious debate.

Particularly when the topic in question is midfielders. Right now, English football is home to some outstanding engine room operators and we've attempted to list the best in thePremier League. Only out-and-out midfielders have been considered. The creative number ten types can wait their turn...

10. Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez is perhaps an example of what a midfielder really is. The Argentine all-rounder is not exceptional in any area, but pretty damn good in most.

Ignoring the £106.8 million price tag that immediately put him under pressure atChelsea for one moment, Fernandez has evolved into a key cog.

He notched up 13 G/A last season from midfield and has scored eight times in the Premier League already this time around.

9. Elliot Anderson - Nottingham Forest

Clubs are going to throw an awful lot of money atNottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson in the summer. In two seasons at the City Ground, Anderson has established himself as an England regular and among the more complete midfielders in the Premier League.

This season, he ranks among the league's top players for tackles won (5th), crosses (3rd), interceptions (10th) and fouls drawn (1st), all in a struggling side.

8. Ryan Gravenberch - Liverpool

Liverpool almost stumbled upon Ryan Gravenberch as a number six by mistake. Having missed out on the signing of Martin Zubimendi, Arne Slot experimented with his compatriot at the base of the midfield - and it paid off.

Gravenberch was exceptional as Liverpool won the title last season and has continued to mature into the role.

7. Sandro Tonali - Newcastle

Next on our list is Newcastle's indefatigable Italian. Tonali's tenacious work has made him a firm favourite on Tyneside, even if therumour mill has started for the summer.

There's good reason clubs are keen on a deal to sign the 25-year-old, whose pace and power can run over opposition midfields.

His defensive awareness has occasionally been questioned, but expect that to improve as the 23-year-old grows. His ability to receive, turn and glide away from challenges so often relieves pressure.

6. Martin Zubimendi - Arsenal

Liverpool's loss has beenArsenal's gain after the Gunners signed Zubimendi, 12 months on from his failed move to Anfield.

The Spaniard's slotted effortlessly into Mikel Arteta's team, where his composure and ability to break lines has stood out. Now Arsenal's chief conductor, his presence has brought the best from those around him.

"I think when we talk about Zubi, what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants. It's a bit similar to Declan's qualities," Arteta gushed after January's win at Chelsea.

"We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he's so good at occupying different spaces, he's carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final third and into the box. He's so composed. He sees the picture very clear."

5. Bruno Guimaraes - Newcastle

Coming up against Newcastle's engine room is no walk in the park. The Magpies' midfield trio of Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali are a formidable mix of power and quality, with the former the driving force.

Guimaraes can do it all and the Newcastle midfielder often tries to do just that for his team. His influence is evident in the numbers. Guimaraes has missed just 10 Premier League games since signing at St James' Park, and Newcastle have failed to win any of them.

4. Rodri - Manchester City

Ranking Rodri was problematic, given the Spaniard's lack of football. It seemed absurd to omit Rodri from this list, even if the Ballon d'Or winner has not touched those heights post-ACL.

The optimism, however, is he soon will be and howManchester City have missed him. At his best, there isn't a better dictator on the planet.

3. Moises Caicedo - Chelsea

Any regular match-goer at Stamford Bridge will eulogise about how importantMoises Caicedo is. The Ecuadorian hurtles around the pitch like a man possessed, crashing into challenges with full force but emerging with the coolest of heads.

As a pure ball-winner, he's probably the Premier League's best. Evolving elsewhere will add validity to the N'Golo Kante comparisons.

2. Dominik Szoboszlai - Liverpool

At times this season, you could be forgiven for thinking Steven Gerrard had been reincarnated at Anfield.

Certainly there's a comparison to be made between the Liverpool legend and man now sporting his number eight shirt, given how Szoboszlai has carried a struggling side with lung-busting endeavour.

Add in the Hungarian's exceptional goal catalogue and Szoboszlai appears a future captain in waiting.Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot already believe he's among the world's finest footballers.

1. Declan Rice - Arsenal

Arsenal might have taken almost two decades to replace Patrick Vieira properly but it feels as if they have done so now. Rice still has some distance to go to match the Gunners great, but he's become the heartbeat of the team.

Nickname "The Horse" by his teammates for his stamina and surging drives, he's also the chief creator for the league's set-piece specialists.

His dangerous deliveries have caused penalty box panic all season and is a weapon England will utilise in the summer.