1 Rodri
2 Bellingham
3 Odegaard
4 Kroos
5 Rice
6 Wirtz
7 Tchouameni
8 Pedri
9 Bruno Fernandes
10 De Bruyne
11 Havertz
12 Musiala
13 Barella
14 De Jong
15 Kimmich
16 Simons
17 Bruno Guimaraes
18 Mac Allister
19 Camavinga
20 Calhanoglu
21 Gavi
22 Bernardo Silva
23 Palhinha
24 Xhaka
25 Paqueta
26 Valverde
27 Enzo Fernandez
28 Zaire-Emery
29 Brandt
30 Maddison
- Hakan CALHANOGLU, Internazionale/Turkey
Key attributes/style of play: An excellent holding midfielder and deep-lying playmaker all in one
Stat to know: Led Inter Milan with 1,906 passes completed in Serie A (ranked fifth in Serie A with 5.8 xA).
Why he's on the list: The Turkish midfielder played a key part in Inter regaining the Scudetto (Serie A title) this season with an impressive individual campaign after transforming himself from an attacking midfielder to occupy a deeper role. Despite the major switch in his role and responsibilities, the 30-year-old still made everything look so easy and despite Inter's Champions League last 16 exit, he has been outstanding.
Projection for 2024-25: He still has three more years left on his contract at Inter Milan and he is not going anywhere. He has a strong relationship with the club, the fans and Simone Inzaghi, his manager. — Laurens
- Nicolo BARELLA, Inter Milan/Italy
Key attributes/style of play: Combines work rate with quality and versatility in midfield
Stat to know: Ranked fifth among Serie A midfielders this season in passes completed (1,762).
Why he's on the list: Barella is one of those players whom coaches love: no-nonsense, high intensity guy with plenty of quality who always puts the team first. As a midfielder who also chips in with a few goals, Barella has tons of personality and leadership and never goes missing. Those are the sort of "soft skills" which make him so coveted.
If anything, some feel he may want to slow things down a bit and pace himself, but you get the impression he can play in only one gear: all-out.
Projection for 2024-25: Barella's contract is up in 2026, and Inter have been working on a new deal for the past six months. They're confident they'll be able to announce one soon. Until that happens, he'll likely be subject to transfer speculation. At 27, he's in his prime and could help upgrade many a midfield. — Marcotti
by ForzaInter_1908
8 comments
Chala behind bare, Kroos, havertz, Simons, guimaraes and Mac allister is literally INSANITY
The rest of them I can maybe understand for some way (not really, but yea), but the ones I named are crazy
Lol
Wtf
Disrespectful.
LMAO
ESPN? Big Pffffffft.
what a joke list, ofc it’s espn
Yeah, bunch of them are not better than Cahla and Barella. It’s also a bit tough comparing some with such different roles among midfielders, but oh well.