ESPN gives their ranking for best midfielders in 2019, including central midfielders and attacking midfielders.
Top 10 Central Midfielders
The key to playing central midfield is a good sense of rhythm: knowing when to speed up in transition and when to slow the pace. There are many forms too: the tough-tackler, box-to-box machine and the nimble playmaker. It's about seeing the whole field -- and exploiting it.
10. Saul (Atletico/Spain)
9. Verratti (PSG/Italy)
8. Rodri (Man City/Spain)
7. Pjanic (Juventus/Bosnia-Herzegovina)
6. Fabinho (Liverpool/Brazil)
5. Casemiro (Real Madrid/Brazil)
4. Fernandinho (Man City/Brazil)
3. Busquets (Barcelona/Spain)
2. De Jong (Barcelona/Netherlands)
1. Kante (Chelsea/France)
Kante is that rarest of players, a selfless contributor who seems to be in a state of perpetual motion, the sort of man you could drop into just about any team and make many times better mostly because he can fill so many different roles, often at the same time. Ask Leicester and Chelsea how they feel: He won the Premier League title in back-to-back seasons with these two teams.
Top 10 Attacking Midfielders
The best attacking midfielders have a sense of mischief, capable of cracking a robust defensive set with improvisation or magic. Greats make the most of their free roles to entertain, create and convert.
10. Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP/Portugal)
9. Banega (Sevilla/Argentina)
8. Havertz (Leverkusen/Germany)
7. Koke (Atletico/Spain)
6. Pogba (Man Utd/France)
5. Eriksen (Tottenham/Denmark)
4. David Silva (Man City/Spain)
3. Van de Beek (Ajax/Netherlands)
2. De Bruyne (Man City/Belgium)
1. Bernardo Silva (Man City/Portugal)
If ever there was a player you could use to measure the influence of Pep Guardiola, it's Bernardo Silva.
The man many thought was just another flighty wide player when City signed him became a relentless midfield presser under Guardiola, while crucially losing none of his skill and creativity.
"Right now it's Bernardo and 10 more players," Guardiola said earlier this year. Who are we to argue?