Ranking the best defensive midfielders of all time
- The defensive midfielder is a very important position in a football team, but it is often overlooked.
- France is a nation that has produced world-class defensive midfielders in every era.
- Claude Makelele is known as the standard defensive midfielder that everyone wants to reach.

Of course, when a young player steps up to play in different positions. They are often selected based on their ability to do those things best. For example, a midfielder must know how to read the rhythm and create opportunities for his teammates. While a defender must have the acumen to intercept the ball at the right time and with precision.
But what could be more difficult than having to do these two things well at the same time, just like a “defensive midfielder” has to do every day?
In addition to all the abilities mentioned above. The challenge for players in this position is also having to have a strong mind, ready to clash and absorb impact at all times, and also having to be twice as fit as their teammates. But sadly, players in this position are almost always in the shadow of their teammates.
But even though they are often overlooked and forgotten. The “defensive midfielder” position is a position that most teams absolutely cannot do without. Because they are the backbone of the team that allows other positions to reach their best performance.
10. Marco Tardelli.
Marco Tardelli is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of Italian football, having been a key figure for Juventus during the late 1970s and early 1980s, helping them win five Serie A titles during his time in Turin. A
versatile player who could play in a number of positions. Tardelli was most notable for his technical ability to intercept and counter-attack. A style that was part of Italy’s World Cup-winning side in 1982.
9. N’Golo Kante
Even during Frank Lampard’s Chelsea days. He tried to prove that Kante was capable of more than just defending. However, Kante’s best performances were when he was a full-fledged defensive midfielder. Early in his
career, Kante started out in the lower leagues of France before surging to success in the 2015/16 season, where he was a key player for Leicester City, who surprisingly won their first Premier League
title . Not only that, Kante also led Chelsea to two more Premier League titles, as well as the UEFA Champions League, where he was named Man of the Match in the final.
8. Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps was nicknamed “the water boy” by former France team-mate Eric Cantona, reflecting his hard work and importance even when not seen by others.
Although Deschamps was not as technical as some of his teammates. He was always the man behind the team’s success. He captained the French national team to victory in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. His footballing
wit and intelligence led Deschamps to become the manager of the French team after his playing career ended, and in 2018 he became one of only three people to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager.
7. Graeme Zuness
Graeme Souness may be better known as a football pundit these days. But during his playing days he epitomised what it means to be a ‘hard-hitter’.
The former Scottish midfielder won five league titles in six seasons at Liverpool , and was known for his deadly tackles. But despite his passion for the midfield area, the former player was not just good at tackling. Souness scored 92 goals during his F.C. career, many of them from long-range.
6. Jean Tigana
Jean Tigana may not be the stereotypical defensive midfielder, partly because his lanky build belies his ability to play in a position where he is often in close contact. But believe it or not. He was once one of the most powerful and aggressive defensive midfielders in the world.
Tigana was a fan favorite for the French national team in the early 1980s, and his defensive prowess allowed the likes of Michel Platini to play more aggressively, helping the French team win Euro 1984, their first major trophy in their history.
5. Gilberto Silva
In the season when Arsenal were unbeaten and clinched the title of ‘Invincible Champion’, people often talked about star players like Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira. But one important player who is often forgotten is Gilberto Silva, who was like the unsung hero of the Gunners that season.
In an era where the Gunners had an attacking potential beyond description. It is certain that for these attackers to be able to charge forward relentlessly, they must have the comfort of knowing that their backline is safe. Gilberto Silva was the one who brought that feeling to the team.
No matter how many times the opponents tried to play a counter-attack, Gilberto Silva was always there to intercept the ball from reaching the dangerous area almost every time. His tall stature and clever playmaking made the Brazilian one of the best defensive midfielders Arsenal have ever had.
4. Edgar Davids
Throughout his 23 years in football, Edgar Davids has been a consistent performer for Europe’s top teams, and has also played 74 times for the Netherlands national team.
His nickname is ‘The Pitbull’, which simply means that his playing style is similar to a Pitbull. A dog that is fierce and never lets go. However, when he has the สมัคร ufabet ball, Davids has the ability to control it smoothly and beautifully.
3. Gennaro Gattuso
The Italian midfielder was instrumental in AC Milan’s dominance of Serie A in the 2003/04 season, finishing 11 points clear of their rivals and winning their first league title since 1999.
In 2006, Gattuso was given the opportunity to partner Andrea Pirlo for the Italian national team at that year’s World Cup, and it was one of the tournaments in which Gattuso performed most brilliantly. The Rossoneri
midfielder made the most successful tackles in the competition and helped the team to victory in the 2006 World Cup.
2. Dunga
Dunga was a pillar of the Brazil national team that won the 1994 World Cup. Although his aggressive playing style may not have matched the ‘Samba’ that is known for its beautiful and smooth football in its genes, these differences were beneficial to his teammates, allowing them to fully demonstrate their potential, making Brazil a team that no one wanted to face at that time.
In addition to Dunga’s famous aggression, he was also outstanding in passing the ball with the outside of his foot accurately, and his deep passing, which helped break down the opposing defense, helped the forwards of Brazil at that time score goals like it was nothing.
1. Claude Makelele
Few players in the world are mentioned every time a certain position in football is mentioned. Even more so, how many times has one player’s name been used to define a certain role in football to this day? Claude Makelele is no exception. The diminutive Frenchman is
widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of all time, thanks to his ability to sense the world around him and his ability to play both offensively and defensively.
Since joining Chelsea in 2003, Makelele has become a key player in transforming the Blues into a footballing powerhouse, winning their first Premier League title in their history and setting the standard for all defensive midfielders to strive towards.