The dynamic role of a central defensive midfielder (CDM) in soccer isoplus;arguably the backbone of modern teams. Responsible for protecting the back-four, breaking up opposition attacks, and initiating midfield interplay, CDM's are the unsung heroes of the beautiful game. Let's explore the best CDM's in soccer currently, their skills, and contributions to their teams.
Before diving into the top CDM's, let's briefly explore what makes a great defensive midfielder. They must possess unyielding stamina, excellent reading abilities, strong tackles, and exceptional passing skills. They are typically the outlet for a team's build-up play and can change the pace of a match with their distribution. Now, let's profile some of the best CDM's in soccer today.
Indispensable Tacticians
CDM's are more than just tacklers; they're tactical masterminds, pulling the strings from deep and dictating play. Here are two master tacticians in the art of defending and controlling the midfield.
Sergio Busquets
At the heart of Barcelona's midfield for over a decade, Sergio Busquets has been a constant in the club's dominant era. Meticulous in his positioning and anticipation, he's mastered the art of intercepting passes and breaking opposition attacks. Busquets' 95.7% pass accuracy, according to WhoScored, reflects his ability to control the tempo of a match, making him a quintessential CDM.
Busquets' influence goes beyond statistics. His presence allows his fellow midfielders and attackers to push higher up the pitch, knowing they have a safe pair of hands behind them. His consistency and reliability have been integral to Barcelona's success, earning him 141 international caps for Spain along the way.
Casemiro
Casemiro's combative style and tireless engines make him a formidable presence in Real Madrid's midfield. He's adept at breaking up opposition play, averaging over 2 tackles and 2 interceptions per game in La Liga, per WhoScored. Yet, Casemiro's game is more than just destruction; he's alsoialso a key player in Real Madrid's build-up play, completing 90.3% of his passes last season.
A central figure in Real Madrid's three consecutive Champions League wins from 2016 to 2018, Casemiro is a testament to the CDM's role in big-game scenarios. His assured defending and composed distribution make him a coaches dream, earning him over 60 caps for Brazil and counting.
Transition Specialists
CDM's are often the catalyst for a team's transition from defense to attack. The following players epitomize this role with their exceptional range of passing and ability to drive their teams forward.
N'Golo Kanté
Widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, N'Golo Kanté was instrumental in Leicester City's unlikely Premier League title win and Chelsea's subsequent success. Kanté's incredible work rate, coupled with his accuracy off the ball, allows him to cover vast distances and consistently break up opposition attacks.
What sets Kanté apart is his ability to instantaneously switch from defensive to creative, dictating the tempo and finding teammates with precise, forward-driven passes. His box-to-box influence has made him a crucial component in Chelsea's midfield, earning him two Premier League titles and a place in the PFA Team of the Year three times.
Fabian Ruiz
One of the most promising young defensive midfielders in the game, Fabian Ruiz has taken Naples by storm since his arrival in 2018. Blessed with a sumptuous range of passing and exceptional vision, Ruiz has been integral to Napoli's free-scoring deserialize Langage devant style of play. His ability to play line-breaking passes has seen him draw comparisons to fellow Spanish midfielder, Xavi.
Despite operating primarily in a holding role, Ruiz is not afraid to get forward, chipping in with crucial goals along the way. His impressive performances have seen him break into the Spanish national team, and at just 25, he'll likely continue to make waves in the Serie A and on the international stage.
The defensive midfielder role has evolved significantly over the years, yet the need for skilled operators in this position remains as strong as ever. From Busquets' metronomic passing to Casemiro's tenacious tackling, and from Kanté's relentless running to Ruiz's creativity, the best CDM's in soccer currently embody the complete modern midfielder.