Partey Out, Nørgaard & Zubimendi In: How Arsenal’s Midfield Changes Stack Up Against Europe’s Best DM’s in 2024–25 (Bellingham, Rice, Caicedo & More)

Who was the best defensive midfielder in Europe during the 2024–25 season? And how do Arsenal’s recent midfield changes stack up against the continent’s elite?

With Thomas Partey leaving and Martín Zubimendi already signed, Arsenal are also reportedly close to adding Christian Nørgaard from Brentford—a potential overhaul in the heart of midfield. But what do the numbers say?

In this article, we break down the key performance statistics—from tackles and interceptions to passing, creativity, and discipline—to see how Arsenal’s new-look midfield compares to the top defensive midfielders in Europe.

Midfielders analyzed:
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
• Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
• Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
• Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
• Pedri (Barcelona)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal)
• Christian Nørgaard (Brentford)
• Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
• Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Availability and Game Involvement

Minutes Played: Which Midfielders Were the Most Reliable in 2024–25?

One of the clearest indicators of a midfielder’s consistency, fitness, and tactical importance is the number of minutes played across the season.

The 2024–25 campaign saw several elite defensive midfielders emerge as ever-present figures for their clubs.

Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 3,356 minutes
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 3,282 minutes
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 3,168 minutes
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 2,962 minutes
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 2,946 minutes
Pedri (Barcelona) – 2,892 minutes
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 2,833 minutes
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 2,829 minutes
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 2,799 minutes
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 2,692 minutes
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 2,494 minutes

Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo led the pack with the most minutes played among all defensive midfielders, reflecting his outstanding durability and importance to Chelsea’s midfield.

Close behind were Bruno Guimarães and Ryan Gravenberch, both of whom surpassed the 3,000-minute mark, showing how vital they were in their respective setups.

Martín Zubimendi, now with Arsenal, impressed with 2,962 minutes at Real Sociedad—163 minutes more than Thomas Partey, whom he effectively replaces.

Christian Nørgaard, a possible new arrival at Arsenal, also played more minutes for Brentford than Partey managed for the Gunners, underlining his superior availability.

Meanwhile, Declan Rice, Arsenal’s cornerstone in midfield, featured more prominently than Partey and nearly as much as Nørgaard, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable midfielders in the Premier League.

Goals Scored: Which Midfielders Contributed Most in the Final Third?

While defensive midfielders are primarily responsible for shielding the backline, contributing goals—especially from open play—adds great value and can be a game-changing asset in the final third.

We will also assess their defensive numbers but who among Europe’s top holding and box-to-box midfielders made the biggest attacking impact in 2024–25?

Total Goals Scored:

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 9
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 6
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 5
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 5
Pedri (Barcelona) – 4
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 4
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 4
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 2
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 1
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 0
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 0

Enzo Fernández quietly delivered an impressive return with 6 goals, while Bruno Guimarães and Christian Nørgaard both contributed 5 goals each—signaling excellent attacking support from deep. Arsenal’s midfield trio of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Martín Zubimendi also chipped in, though none were standout scorers.

Jude Bellingham once again underlined his attacking prowess with a standout tally of 9 goals, the highest among all the defensive and central midfielders reviewed—translating to 0.3 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes.

Ryan Gravenberch and Aurélien Tchouaméni, despite playing over 2,500 minutes each, failed to find the net—a potential concern for sides looking to add attacking flexibility from midfield.

Non-Penalty Goals per 90 Minutes:

How do their numbers compare when adjusted for minutes and penalty goals?

Jude Bellingham – 0.3
Thomas Partey – 0.2
Christian Nørgaard – 0.2
Enzo Fernández – 0.2
Bruno Guimarães – 0.2
Pedri – 0.2
Declan Rice – 0.2
Moisés Caicedo – 0.1
Martín Zubimendi – 0.1
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.0
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.0

When we normalize the goal data to non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, the picture becomes clearer in assessing each midfielder’s true attacking contribution.

Jude Bellingham stood out with a league-leading 0.3 non-penalty goals per 90, proving that his impressive goal tally wasn’t inflated by penalties. His ability to find the net from open play further highlights his attacking edge among Europe’s elite midfielders.

Martín Zubimendi—now at Arsenal—recorded just 0.1 non-penalty goals per 90, suggesting there’s room for improvement if he’s to match or surpass the offensive impact of his predecessor, Thomas Partey, who averaged 0.2 in this metric.

Meanwhile, Christian Nørgaard, a potential Arsenal target, matched Partey’s output with 0.2 non-penalty goals per 90. This stat underscores his suitability as a like-for-like replacement in terms of goal threat from deep midfield.

Goals from Inside the Box: Who Was Most Dangerous in the Area?

Midfielders who consistently arrive in the box and finish from close range show greater ability to read the game and finish moves, which can offer their teams an invaluable attacking edge.

This metric shows who posed the greatest goal threat inside the opposition penalty area during the 2024–25 season.

Goals from Inside the Box (2024–25)

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 9
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 6
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 5
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 4
Pedri (Barcelona) – 3
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 3
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 2
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 1
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 1
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 0
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 0

Jude Bellingham stood out as the most dangerous midfielder inside the box, scoring 9 goals from close range—highlighting his tendency to arrive late into goal-scoring positions and finish like a forward. Enzo Fernández followed with 6 goals, showing his effectiveness when joining attacks centrally, while Bruno Guimarães and Christian Nørgaard also impressed with 4 and 5 goals respectively.

Christian Nørgaard outperformed higher-rated playmakers like Pedri, Declan Rice, and Zubimendi in this area—suggesting that he often makes intelligent runs into the box and capitalizes more on the chances he gets inside the box.

At the bottom of the list, Gravenberch and Tchouaméni registered little to no threat inside the penalty area, reflecting either tactical restrictions or a preference for more withdrawn roles.

Goals from Outside the Box: Who Can Strike From Distance?

This stat identifies midfielders with the ability to score from range—a valuable trait when breaking down deep defensive blocks or seizing opportunities from second balls outside the penalty area.

Goals from Outside the Box (2024–25)

Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 3
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 1
Pedri (Barcelona) – 1
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 1
Christian Nørgaard – 0
Moisés Caicedo – 0
Enzo Fernández – 0
Ryan Gravenberch – 0
Martín Zubimendi – 0
Jude Bellingham – 0
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0

Thomas Partey led this category with 3 goals from outside the box, showing that even he could punish teams from range. Declan Rice, Pedri, and Bruno Guimarães followed with one goal each, indicating they also possess some potential to threaten from outside the area.

However, Zubimendi—who replaces Partey in Arsenal’s midfield—registered zero goals from outside the box, as did Tchouaméni, Gravenberch, and others. If Zubimendi is to match his predecessor’s attacking influence, this is clearly an area where he’ll need to improve, especially alongside Declan Rice, who offers a bit more in this department.

Conversion Rate (%): Who Was the Most Clinical Defensive Midfielder?

For defensive and central midfielders, scoring chances can be rare—but how efficiently those chances are converted into goals says a lot about a player’s composure, technique, and attacking instincts.

Conversion Rate (2024–25):

Pedri (Barcelona) – 21.05%
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 19.15%
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 19.05%
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 18.52%
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 15.38%
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 13.89%
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 12.12%
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 11.11%
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 9.09%
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 0%
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 0%

Barcelona’s Pedri led the way with a stunning 21.05% conversion rate, proving himself as one of the most lethal and clinical deep-lying midfielders in Europe. Despite not being a traditional goal-scorer, Pedri’s conversion rate sets him apart.

Close behind were Jude Bellingham and Thomas Partey, both converting nearly 1 in 5 of their chances—an elite rate for players often positioned deeper in midfield.

In contrast, Martín Zubimendi, Arsenal’s new midfield anchor, converted just 11.11% of his chances. While technically gifted, he’ll need to raise his efficiency in front of goal if he’s to replicate the threat posed by Thomas Partey, the man he replaces.

Moisés Caicedo, Chelsea’s high-profile signing from Brighton, ranked among the least efficient midfielders in this metric. With just a 9.09% conversion rate, he was one of the most wasteful deep midfielders in front of goal last season—a concern considering his £100+ million price tag.

Shooting: Who Was the Most Dangerous Defensive Midfielder Going Forward?

Shooting metrics provide valuable insight into which defensive midfielders are more inclined to test the goalkeeper and take attacking initiative.

We assess total shots attempted, shots per 90 minutes, and shot accuracy—three crucial indicators of a midfielder’s attacking intent and decision-making in the final third.

Shots Attempted: Who Pulled the Trigger Most Often?

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 47
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 39
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 36
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 33
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 27
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 21
Pedri (Barcelona) – 19
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 18
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 15
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 13
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 11

Despite playing fewer minutes than most, Jude Bellingham attempted the highest number of shots, showing an aggressive, goal-hungry approach uncommon among deep midfielders.

Enzo Fernández, Bruno Guimarães, and Declan Rice also featured heavily in terms of shooting volume, revealing their willingness to drive forward and take responsibility in attack.

Christian Nørgaard—a potential Arsenal target—attempted more shots than both Thomas Partey and Martín Zubimendi, suggesting he may have tendencies to drift into advanced zones or exploit space around the box.

Attempted Shots per 90 minutes as shown below paints a similar picture.

Attempted Shots per 90 Minutes: Consistency in Threat

Jude Bellingham – 1.7
Enzo Fernández – 1.2
Declan Rice – 1.1
Bruno Guimarães – 1.0
Christian Nørgaard – 0.9
Thomas Partey – 0.7
Martín Zubimendi – 0.6
Pedri – 0.6
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.6
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.4
Moisés Caicedo – 0.3

Shots on Target: Who Troubled the Goalkeepers Most?

While shots attempted show intent, shots on target reveal which midfielders consistently hit the mark and forced goalkeepers into action. This metric gives deeper insight into finishing quality and attacking efficiency—especially from deep midfield roles.

Total Shots on Target (2024–25):

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 23
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 20
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 16
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 15
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 15
Pedri (Barcelona) – 11
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 9
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 8
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 5
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 3
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 3

Once again, Jude Bellingham topped the chart with 23 shots on target, confirming his reputation as the most dangerous goal-scoring midfielder in Europe. He was followed closely by Enzo Fernández, whose 20 shots on target highlighted his key role in Chelsea’s attacking phases.

Christian Nørgaard ranked third with 16, surpassing both Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães (15 each). If Nørgaard completes a move to Arsenal, he could provide healthy competition for Rice—not only defensively, but also in direct attacking output.

Despite playing 163 more minutes, Martín Zubimendi registered only one fewer shot on target than Thomas Partey.

Christian Nørgaard, who could join Arsenal this summer, recorded almost double Partey’s shots on target, suggesting a much higher level of attacking threat and shooting precision.

Shots on target per 90 minutes paints a similar picture as shown below.

Shots on Target per 90 Minutes:

Jude Bellingham – 0.9
Enzo Fernández – 0.7
Christian Nørgaard – 0.6
Bruno Guimarães – 0.5
Declan Rice – 0.5
Pedri – 0.4
Thomas Partey – 0.3
Martín Zubimendi – 0.3
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.2
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.2
Moisés Caicedo – 0.1

This per-90 analysis confirms the elite shooting efficiency of Jude Bellingham, who averaged nearly one shot on target per game. Enzo Fernández and Christian Nørgaard followed, also highlighting their offensive contribution.

Thomas Partey and Martín Zubimendi were neck and neck in this area.

Meanwhile, Moisés Caicedo and Aurélien Tchouaméni underwhelmed once again, with just 0.1–0.2 shots on target per 90, placing them among the least threatening midfielders in front of goal last season.

Shot Accuracy (%): Who Took Smarter Shots?

Christian Nørgaard – 59.26%
Pedri – 57.89%
Enzo Fernández – 51.28%
Jude Bellingham – 48.94%
Declan Rice – 45.45%
Martín Zubimendi – 44.44%
Thomas Partey – 42.86%
Bruno Guimarães – 41.67%
Ryan Gravenberch – 38.46%
Moisés Caicedo – 27.27%
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 20.00%

Christian Nørgaard had the highest shot accuracy, with nearly 60% of his shots hitting the target—an impressive level of precision that underlines why Arsenal are reportedly considering him as a midfield reinforcement.

Pedri, while not a high-volume shooter, ranks second in accuracy. His patience and decision-making in front of goal make him one of the most calculated midfield finishers in Europe. Both Pedri and Nørgaard exemplify midfielders who don’t just shoot often—they shoot smart.

Arsenal’s new signing Martín Zubimendi showed greater shot accuracy than Thomas Partey, despite taking fewer shots per 90. This could suggest a more measured, efficient approach to finishing—something for Mikel Arteta to build upon.

Moisés Caicedo and Aurélien Tchouaméni struggled in this area, registering the lowest shot accuracy among their peers.

Creativity: Who Was the Best Playmaking Midfielder in Europe?

Beyond scoring, elite midfielders are expected to create opportunities and feed attackers in the final third. In this section, we analyze assists, assists per 90 minutes, chances created, chances created per 90, through-balls and crosses to determine who the most creative defensive midfielders were in the 2024–25 season.

Assists: Who Delivered the Final Pass?

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 8
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 7
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 7
Pedri (Barcelona) – 5
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 6
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 4
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 4
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 2
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 2
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 1
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 0

Jude Bellingham led all midfielders with 8 assists, followed closely by Declan Rice and Enzo Fernández, both on 7. These figures show their ability to contribute directly to goal creation—through their superior vision and passing and by ability to operate effectively in more advanced midfield zones.

Midfield creators like Pedri, Guimarães, and Nørgaard also posted solid assist numbers. In contrast, Tchouaméni failed to record a single assist.

Assists per 90 Minutes: Efficiency in Creation

Jude Bellingham – 0.3
Enzo Fernández – 0.3
Declan Rice – 0.3
Christian Nørgaard – 0.2
Bruno Guimarães – 0.2
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.2
Pedri – 0.2
Thomas Partey – 0.1
Moisés Caicedo – 0.1
Martín Zubimendi – 0.1
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.0

Once again, Bellingham, Fernández, and Rice dominate—each averaging 0.3 assists per 90, confirming their consistent creative output across all competitions. Their high goal involvement in chance creation makes them critical midfield engines for offensive moves in their teams.

Chances Created: Who Was the True Deep-Lying Playmaker?

Enzo Fernández – 75
Pedri – 67
Declan Rice – 57
Bruno Guimarães – 50
Jude Bellingham – 40
Ryan Gravenberch – 23
Moisés Caicedo – 30
Thomas Partey – 20
Martín Zubimendi – 18
Christian Nørgaard – 16
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 5

Enzo Fernández emerged as Europe’s most creative defensive midfielder, creating a staggering 75 chances for Chelsea. Just behind him was Pedri, who registered 67 and confirmed his status as Barcelona’s creative heartbeat.

Declan Rice also impressed with 57 chances created, underlining his role as a true box-to-box playmaker for Arsenal. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimarães continued to show balance between defensive steel and creativity, generating 50 chances for Newcastle.

On the other end, Tchouaméni and Nørgaard created the fewest chances, which can indicate more conservative and defensive-focused roles within their respective teams.

Chances Created per 90 Minutes: Who Created the Most, Most Often?

Enzo Fernández – 2.3
Pedri – 2.1
Declan Rice – 1.9
Jude Bellingham – 1.5
Bruno Guimarães – 1.4
Moisés Caicedo – 0.9
Thomas Partey – 0.7
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.7
Christian Nørgaard – 0.6
Martín Zubimendi – 0.6
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.2

These per-90 numbers reinforce the dominance of Enzo Fernández and Pedri, who both averaged over 2 chances created per match—a standout stat for players nominally seen as defensive midfielders.

Declan Rice was again not far off, showing a remarkable creative jump in his new role under Mikel Arteta. Jude Bellingham’s 1.5 per 90 also reflects his attacking freedom and effectiveness for Real Madrid.

Martín Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard had modest creativity rates but below what former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey registered in a similar period. Tchouaméni’s 0.2 highlights a clear gap in creative contribution compared to his peers.

Through Balls: Unlocking Defenses With Precision Passing

Through balls are a key creative metric that separates good passers from great playmakers. This stat measures how well a midfielder can unlock tight defensive lines—especially through the middle—without relying solely on crosses or long balls. For modern systems focused on verticality and quick transitions, this ability is priceless.

Total Through Balls (2024–25)

Pedri (Barcelona) – 27
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 22
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 22
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 14
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 12
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 8
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 6
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 5
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 4
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 2
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 0

Pedri once again demonstrated his elite vision and playmaking instincts, finishing the season with a chart-topping 27 through balls—the highest among all midfielders in this comparison.

Pedri’s ability to consistently thread balls between defenders highlights why he is seen as one of the most intelligent creators in Europe, despite playing in the holding midfield position.

Bruno Guimarães and Jude Bellingham tied for second place with 22 through balls each, underlining their ability to contribute offensively not just with goals and assists, but with line-breaking passes that split defenses apart.

Enzo Fernández (14) and Moisés Caicedo (12) also made strong showings for Chelsea, with Caicedo showing signs of his offensive development after a tough debut season at Stamford Bridge.

At the other end, Aurélien Tchouaméni didn’t register a single through ball—showing he is more defensive, ball-winning profile.

Former, current, or potential Arsenal’s midfielders also showed limited penetration in this area: Thomas Partey (6), Declan Rice (5), and new signing Martín Zubimendi (just 2) all fell well behind the top performers. Christian Nørgaard recorded only 4 through balls – Arsenal’s midfield may need to collectively improve upon.

Through Balls per 90 Minutes: Frequency of Creative Penetration

Pedri – 0.9
Jude Bellingham – 0.8
Bruno Guimarães – 0.7
Enzo Fernández – 0.5
Moisés Caicedo – 0.4
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.3
Thomas Partey – 0.2
Declan Rice – 0.2
Christian Nørgaard – 0.2
Martín Zubimendi – 0.1
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.0

Once again, Pedri stood out with 0.9 through balls per 90, followed closely by Jude Bellingham and Bruno Guimarães. These three midfielders consistently found teammates in advanced positions, unlocking defensive blocks with surgical precision.

Chelsea duo Fernández and Caicedo were respectable in this metric, while Gravenberch posted moderate output.

As you can now expect, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Christian Nørgaard, and Martín Zubimendi were near the bottom in through-ball frequency, each averaging 0.2 or less per 90 minutes.

If Arsenal seek to evolve their midfield into a more creative and incisive force, they may need to address this shortfall tactically or in future transfers.

Passing Ability: Who Controlled the Tempo and Progressed Play Best?

A midfielder’s ability to progress the ball, dictate tempo, and circulate possession is vital to any modern football system. Here, we analyze passes attempted, passes completed, passes per 90 minutes, and pass accuracy to identify the most technically secure and influential passers among Europe’s top defensive midfielders in the 2024–25 season.

Passes Attempted: Who Was Most Involved in Build-Up Play?

Pedri (Barcelona) – 2,672
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 2,153
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 2,004
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 1,904
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 1,840
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 1,778
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 1,752
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 1,758
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 1,509
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 1,476
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 1,394

Pedri led all midfielders with an incredible 2,672 passes attempted, reflecting his central role in Barcelona’s possession-dominant system. Moisés Caicedo and Tchouaméni were the only others to cross the 2,000-pass mark—highlighting their heavy involvement in their respective teams.

At the other end, Declan Rice and Christian Nørgaard attempted the fewest passes, though this can also reflect tactical systems and less ball-dominant teams.

Passes Completed: Who Was the Most Reliable Distributor?

Pedri – 2,379
Moisés Caicedo – 1,941
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 1,862
Ryan Gravenberch – 1,704
Thomas Partey – 1,631
Martín Zubimendi – 1,479
Enzo Fernández – 1,489
Bruno Guimarães – 1,471
Declan Rice – 1,326
Jude Bellingham – 1,321
Christian Nørgaard – 1,153

Once again, Pedri topped the list with 2,379 completed passes, far ahead of Caicedo and Tchouaméni, who also displayed high volume and consistency. Liverpool’s Gravenberch ranked 4th, while Nørgaard trailed behind, completing the fewest passes overall.

Passes Completed per 90 Minutes: Sustained Influence on the Ball

Pedri – 74.1
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 62.3
Thomas Partey – 52.5
Moisés Caicedo – 52.1
Ryan Gravenberch – 48.5
Jude Bellingham – 47.7
Enzo Fernández – 45.5
Martín Zubimendi – 45.0
Declan Rice – 42.2
Bruno Guimarães – 40.4
Christian Nørgaard – 36.7

These per-90 stats confirm Pedri’s dominance, with 74.1 completed passes per match—nearly 12 more than Tchouaméni, his closest rival. Arsenal’s Thomas Partey was third, slightly ahead of Caicedo and Gravenberch.

Christian Nørgaard again ranked lowest, highlighting a limited passing influence across 90-minute spells—a potential concern if Arsenal look to sign him to reiforce their midfield.

Pass Accuracy: Who Rarely Misplaced a Pass?

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 92.91%
Moisés Caicedo – 90.15%
Declan Rice – 89.84%
Ryan Gravenberch – 89.50%
Pedri – 89.03%
Thomas Partey – 88.64%
Jude Bellingham – 87.54%
Martín Zubimendi – 84.42%
Enzo Fernández – 83.75%
Bruno Guimarães – 83.67%
Christian Nørgaard – 82.71%

Aurélien Tchouaméni posted the highest pass accuracy at an elite 92.91%, underlining his value as a secure, press-resistant pivot. Caicedo, Rice, and Pedri also demonstrated exceptional passing precision—each completing 90% or nearly 90% of their passes.

Christian Nørgaard, on the other hand, ranked last in accuracy with 82.71%, which also makes him the most likely among this group to concede possession.

Martín Zubimendi, Arsenal’s new midfield arrival, ranked 8th for accuracy—meaning he’ll need to refine this aspect of his game to match Thomas Partey (88.64%) and approach Declan Rice’s elite standard (89.84%), who he will be partnering with in Arsenal’s midfield.

Long Passing Ability: Who Switched Play and Escaped Pressure Best?

In modern football, long passing is more than just hoofing the ball forward—it’s a tactical weapon.

Whether it’s switching play, escaping a high press, or launching an attack from deep, long passes demand precision and vision. In this section, we analyze long passes attempted, completed, completed per 90, and accuracy to reveal who excelled at this vital skill.

Long Passes Attempted

Pedri (Barcelona) – 207
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 174
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 172
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 162
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 152
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 123
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 105
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 101
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 97
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 91
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 83

Pedri attempted the highest number of long passes last season, with an eye-watering 207 attempts—showcasing his constant desire to stretch the pitch and switch play. He was followed by Martín Zubimendi (174), Enzo Fernández (172), and Bruno Guimarães (162), all of whom ranked among the most active long passers in Europe.

At the bottom of the list, Ryan Gravenberch (83) and Jude Bellingham (91) were the least likely to attempt long balls, highlighting their more compact, short-passing styles.

Long Passes Completed: Who Executed the Most Successfully?

Pedri – 145
Enzo Fernández – 99
Moisés Caicedo – 96
Martín Zubimendi – 92
Bruno Guimarães – 86
Christian Nørgaard – 65
Jude Bellingham – 67
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 64
Declan Rice – 60
Thomas Partey – 58
Ryan Gravenberch – 41

Once again, Pedri proved why he’s one of the most complete midfielders in Europe, completing an incredible 145 long passes—a full 46 more than Enzo Fernández, who ranked second.

The Chelsea duo of Fernández and Caicedo combined for a jaw-dropping 195 completed long passes, underlining their critical role in Chelsea’s deep build-up and transitions—perhaps justifying Mikel Arteta’s claim that Chelsea were “the best attacking team in the league” last season source.

Zubimendi, Arsenal’s newest midfield addition, performed well with 92 completed long passes—far better than Thomas Partey (58) or Declan Rice (60). This signals Zubimendi’s ability to dictate tempo and switch play—something Arsenal could leverage next season.

Gravenberch completed the fewest, just 41, showing limited long-range passing influence.

Long Passes Completed per 90 Minutes: Who Did It Consistently?

Pedri – 4.6
Enzo Fernández – 3.1
Martín Zubimendi – 2.8
Moisés Caicedo – 2.6
Jude Bellingham – 2.5
Bruno Guimarães – 2.4
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 2.2
Christian Nørgaard – 2.1
Declan Rice – 2.0
Thomas Partey – 1.9
Ryan Gravenberch – 1.2

Pedri was in a league of his own with 4.6 long passes completed per 90, followed by Enzo Fernández (3.1) and Zubimendi (2.8). Arsenal fans should be encouraged by Zubimendi’s consistency, which significantly outperforms both Partey and Rice in this metric.

Long Pass Accuracy (%): Who Picked Their Moments Wisely?

Jude Bellingham – 73.63%
Pedri – 70.05%
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 63.37%
Moisés Caicedo – 63.16%
Declan Rice – 61.86%
Ryan Gravenberch – 49.40%
Thomas Partey – 55.24%
Christian Nørgaard – 52.85%
Martín Zubimendi – 52.87%
Bruno Guimarães – 53.09%
Enzo Fernández – 57.56%

Jude Bellingham topped the long pass accuracy chart at an elite 73.63%, proving he knows exactly when to go long and how to execute. Pedri, at 70.05%, was almost equally impressive, showcasing not just quantity but precision over long distances.

Other top performers in this department included Tchouaméni, Caicedo, and Declan Rice—each completing over 60% of their long passes.

On the other hand, Gravenberch struggled, completing less than half of his long attempts. Meanwhile, Zubimendi’s long pass accuracy (52.87%) was solid but leaves room for improvement if he’s to become a key progressor in Arsenal’s midfield.

Defensive duties

Aerial duels: Who Dominated the Air in Midfield Battles?

Aerial duels remain a vital part of a midfielder’s defensive responsibilities—whether it’s clearing danger, contesting goal kicks, or regaining second balls.

This section analyzes which defensive midfielders were most dominant in the air during the 2024–25 season, using metrics like aerial duels contested, won, per 90 minutes, success rate, and height as a supporting factor.

Aerial Duels Contested: Who Stepped Up Most Often in the Air?

Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 101
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 87
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 84
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 64
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 62
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 56
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 56
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 40
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 38
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 48
Pedri (Barcelona) – 13

Aurélien Tchouaméni led all midfielders with a massive 101 aerial duels contested, showing his willingness to dominate in the air.

Zubimendi and Nørgaard followed closely with 87 and 84 duels respectively—each providing serious aerial steel for their sides. On the flip side, Pedri engaged in just 13 aerial duels, suggesting he may often opt for a ground-focused approach.

Total Aerial Duels Won: Who Actually Got the Job Done?

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 74
Martín Zubimendi – 54
Christian Nørgaard – 52
Declan Rice – 38
Jude Bellingham – 30
Thomas Partey – 28
Ryan Gravenberch – 26
Moisés Caicedo – 36
Bruno Guimarães – 19
Enzo Fernández – 15
Pedri – 7

Again, Tchouaméni proved to be the most dominant, winning an impressive 74 aerial duels—clearly the most effective enforcer in this area.

Zubimendi (54) and Nørgaard (52) weren’t far behind and significantly outperformed both Thomas Partey (28) and Declan Rice (38).

Aerial Duels Won per 90 Minutes: Who Did It Consistently?

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 2.5
Martín Zubimendi – 1.7
Christian Nørgaard – 1.7
Declan Rice – 1.3
Jude Bellingham – 1.1
Thomas Partey – 1.0
Moisés Caicedo – 1.0
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.8
Bruno Guimarães – 0.6
Enzo Fernández – 0.5
Pedri – 0.3

Tchouaméni again led the way with 2.5 aerial duels won per 90, showing how regularly he won battles in the air. Zubimendi and Nørgaard followed with 1.7 per 90, outperforming Partey (1.0) and Rice (1.3) in both volume and frequency.

Aerial Duel Success Rate (%): Who Chose the Right Battles and Won Them?

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 73.27%
Ryan Gravenberch – 65.00%
Moisés Caicedo – 64.29%
Martín Zubimendi – 62.07%
Christian Nørgaard – 61.90%
Declan Rice – 59.38%
Pedri – 53.85%
Thomas Partey – 50.00%
Bruno Guimarães – 50.00%
Jude Bellingham – 48.39%
Enzo Fernández – 31.25%

Tchouaméni once again stood tall—winning nearly three-quarters of his aerial duels. His 73.27% success rate shows elite-level judgment, timing, and physicality.

Surprisingly, Ryan Gravenberch (65%) and Caicedo (64.29%) ranked second and third in success rate, despite contesting fewer duels. This shows their efficiency and smart timing, even if their volume was lower.

Zubimendi (62.07%) and Nørgaard (61.90%) also posted excellent success rates, underlining why Arsenal may be targeting both to boost their midfield duel strength—especially as they prepare to replace Partey (50%) and support Rice (59.38%).

Enzo Fernández posted the lowest success rate of just 31.25%, indicating a vulnerability in aerial battles.

Does Height Play a Role in Aerial Dominance?

Player Heights:

Ryan Gravenberch – 1.90m
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 1.88m
Declan Rice – 1.88m
Christian Nørgaard – 1.87m
Jude Bellingham – 1.86m
Thomas Partey – 1.85m
Bruno Guimarães – 1.82m
Martín Zubimendi – 1.81m
Enzo Fernández – 1.78m
Moisés Caicedo – 1.78m
Pedri – 1.74m

Naturally, taller players often enjoy an edge in aerial duels, and that was clear in some cases. Tchouaméni, one of the tallest at 1.88m, led every aerial metric—volume, success rate, and consistency. Similarly, Gravenberch (1.90m) and Nørgaard (1.87m) also posted excellent aerial numbers.

However, Zubimendi, despite being shorter than Rice and Bellingham, won more aerial duels, both in volume and per 90, and had a better success rate. This proves that while height matters, timing, technique, and positioning are just as critical.

Meanwhile, taller players like Bellingham and Rice underperformed relative to their physical profiles—suggesting room for growth in their aerial contributions.

Ground Duels: Who Protected Their Backline With Authority?

Beyond aerial dominance, defensive midfielders are expected to win battles on the ground— tackling, intercepting passes, halting dribbles, and recovering possession in tight spaces.

In this section, we analyze ground duels contested, won, won per 90 minutes, and ground duel success rate to determine who was the most effective ball-winner on the ground during the 2024–25 season.

Ground Duels Contested: Who Stepped Up Most on the Ground?

Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 426
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 345
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 293
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 284
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 282
Pedri (Barcelona) – 262
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 244
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 211
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 195
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 172
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 136

Bruno Guimarães led this category by a wide margin, contesting an incredible 426 ground duels, followed by Caicedo (345) and Enzo Fernández (293). These three were consistently active in the midfield trenches and may be regarded to have been the best in applying pressure to the opposition.

Tchouaméni and Declan Rice recorded the fewest ground duels contested, suggesting either a more zonal role or reduced defensive workload.

Ground Duels Won: Who Recovered the Ball Most Often?

Bruno Guimarães – 224
Moisés Caicedo – 200
Enzo Fernández – 144
Thomas Partey – 144
Jude Bellingham – 166
Pedri – 152
Ryan Gravenberch – 158
Christian Nørgaard – 111
Martín Zubimendi – 110
Declan Rice – 82
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 81

Bruno Guimarães and Caicedo were the only midfielders to win over 200 ground duels, showcasing elite ball-winning ability.

Interestingly, despite limited total duels, Bellingham and Pedri posted high win counts, suggesting good timing and effort efficiency.

Rice and Tchouaméni, while strong in stature, won fewer than 100 ground duels each—highlighting an area for improvement, especially in high-press, high-duel systems like Arsenal’s.

Ground Duels Won per 90 Minutes: Who Was the Most Consistent Enforcer?

Bruno Guimarães – 11.7
Moisés Caicedo – 9.3
Enzo Fernández – 9.0
Thomas Partey – 7.9
Christian Nørgaard – 6.8
Jude Bellingham – 6.0
Pedri – 4.8
Ryan Gravenberch – 4.5
Martín Zubimendi – 3.4
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 2.8
Declan Rice – 2.7

The per-90 data reveals Guimarães’s true dominance—winning an astonishing 11.7 ground duels per 90, with Caicedo (9.3) and Enzo (9.0) close behind. Partey still ranks high here with 7.9, validating his combative presence when fit.

Zubimendi, Tchouaméni, and Rice underwhelmed again, each averaging fewer than 3.5 duels won per 90—less than half of what the top ball-winners produced.

Ground Duel Success Rate (%): Who Picked Their Battles Wisely?

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 59.56%
Thomas Partey – 59.02%
Pedri – 58.02%
Jude Bellingham – 58.87%
Moisés Caicedo – 57.97%
Martín Zubimendi – 56.41%
Ryan Gravenberch – 55.63%
Christian Nørgaard – 52.61%
Bruno Guimarães – 52.58%
Enzo Fernández – 49.15%
Declan Rice – 47.67%

Despite contesting the fewest duels, Tchouaméni recorded the highest ground duel success rate at 59.56%, showing excellent defensive judgment and timing. Partey was close behind with 59.02%, making him one of the most effective or reliable ball-winners when called upon.

Bellingham, Caicedo, and Pedri also posted strong success rates above 57%, while Zubimendi showed solid efficiency at 56.41%—a decent score but a sign for Arsenal fans the former Real Sociedad midfielder will have to better his score last season to match Partey’s ground-duels winning success.

Declan Rice ranked last at 47.67%, suggesting room for improvement in 1v1 ground duels, especially in defensive midfield matchups.

Ball Recoveries: Who Helped Win the Ball Back Most?

Ball recoveries are a crucial measure of a midfielder’s defensive contribution. Whether it’s intercepting loose balls, reading play, or pressing intelligently, the ability to win possession back for the team separates average midfielders from elite ones. This section analyzes total ball recoveries and recoveries per 90 minutes to determine who dominated this aspect in the 2024–25 season.

Total Ball Recoveries (2024–25):

Pedri (Barcelona) – 254
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 229
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 193
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 193
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 188
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 156
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 156
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 143
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 140
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 138
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 97

In a surprising but telling stat, Pedri recorded the most ball recoveries with 254, despite playing for possession-heavy Barcelona. This highlights his positional intelligence, pressing efficiency, and work rate off the ball.

Caicedo came second with 229 recoveries, proving why Chelsea made him their record signing. Nørgaard and Gravenberch tied for third at 193, showing great anticipation and coverage in midfield.

Jude Bellingham had the fewest recoveries in the comparison, with just 97—the only midfielder below 100 for the season. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey (138) and Declan Rice (156) both posted modest totals, but Nørgaard outperformed them—suggesting he could enhance Arsenal’s midfield pressing game if signed this summer.

Ball Recoveries per 90 Minutes: Who Did It Most Consistently?

Pedri – 8.0
Christian Nørgaard – 6.2
Moisés Caicedo – 6.2
Ryan Gravenberch – 5.5
Bruno Guimarães – 5.2
Declan Rice – 5.0
Enzo Fernández – 4.8
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 4.8
Thomas Partey – 4.5
Martín Zubimendi – 4.3
Jude Bellingham – 3.6

Pedri again topped the list with 8.0 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, proving he’s one of Europe’s best midfielders at winning the ball back quickly and consistently. His numbers reflect not just effort, but elite positioning and tactical understanding.

Caicedo and Nørgaard followed with 6.2 per 90, showing their high activity and tenacity in defensive midfield. Gravenberch also posted a strong 5.5, while Rice (5.0) and Guimarães (5.2) maintained solid, if not elite, rates.

Zubimendi, now at Arsenal, had just 4.3 recoveries per 90—lower than Partey (4.5) and Rice (5.0). It suggests he will need to step up this aspect of his game to match or surpass Partey’s and Declan’s numbers in Arteta’s high-intensity system.

At the bottom again, Bellingham recorded the fewest per 90 (3.6), indicating his deeper defensive contributions were limited compared to his attacking impact.

Interceptions

Interceptions reveal a midfielder’s ability to anticipate passes, read the game, and position themselves intelligently to cut out danger before it escalates.

High interception numbers often point to tactical awareness and excellent defensive instincts. Here, we assess both total interceptions and interceptions per 90 minutes to determine who mastered this defensive art.

Total Interceptions: Who Stepped In Most Often?

Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 60
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 49
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 49
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 46
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 44
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 35
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 29
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 28
Pedri (Barcelona) – 26
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 25
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 13

Ryan Gravenberch surprisingly led the list with 60 interceptions, despite playing in Liverpool’s high-possession system. His ability to read opposition movement and cut passing lanes made him the top interceptor among Europe’s elite midfielders.

Christian Nørgaard and Moisés Caicedo followed with 49 interceptions each, showing excellent positional awareness and tactical discipline. Tchouaméni (46) and Zubimendi (44) rounded out the top five.

In contrast, Enzo Fernández (13) and Declan Rice (25) recorded the fewest interceptions, indicating their less aggressive defensive qualities, or areas for tactical improvement.

Interceptions per 90 Minutes: Who Was Most Consistent in Reading the Game?

Ryan Gravenberch – 1.8
Christian Nørgaard – 1.6
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 1.6
Moisés Caicedo – 1.4
Martín Zubimendi – 1.4
Thomas Partey – 1.2
Jude Bellingham – 1.1
Pedri – 0.9
Declan Rice – 0.8
Bruno Guimarães – 0.8
Enzo Fernández – 0.4

Gravenberch led again in interceptions per 90 with 1.8, proving his consistency and alertness when out of possession. Nørgaard and Tchouaméni shared second place at 1.6 per 90, both demonstrating elite-level anticipation in defensive midfield.

Zubimendi (1.4) and Caicedo (1.4) also ranked well, reinforcing their value as proactive screeners ahead of the defense.

On the other end, Enzo Fernández recorded just 0.4 interceptions per 90—the lowest in this group. Rice, Guimarães, and Pedri also averaged fewer than 1 interception per game.

A future midfield pairing of Zubimendi and Nørgaard at Arsenal could significantly elevate the club’s interception and ball recovery metrics—an area that both Partey and Rice struggled to dominate last season.

Tackles Made: Who Was the Most Aggressive Ball-Winner?

Tackling is one of the most fundamental defensive responsibilities for a midfielder. A successful tackle not only breaks up opposition attacks but can also initiate counter-attacks.

In this section, we examine both total tackles made and tackles per 90 minutes to determine who was the most effective ball-winner across Europe’s top midfielders in the 2024–25 season.

Total Tackles Made (2024–25):

Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 114
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 89
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 83
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 79
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 73
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 69
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 65
Pedri (Barcelona) – 61
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 61
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 53
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 47

Moisés Caicedo led the pack with a commanding 114 tackles, thanks to his relentless energy and ball-winning instincts—exactly what Chelsea paid big money for. Thomas Partey came in second with 89 tackles, while Bruno Guimarães (83) rounded out the top three.

Christian Nørgaard wasn’t far off, registering 79 tackles—10 fewer than Partey and 6 more than Martín Zubimendi (73), who now steps into Arsenal’s midfield engine room.

At the bottom, Aurélien Tchouaméni (47) and Declan Rice (53) had the fewest total tackles, suggesting a more passive or zonal approach to defensive duties.

Tackles Made per 90 Minutes: Who Made the Most Impact Game by Game?

Moisés Caicedo – 3.1
Thomas Partey – 2.9
Christian Nørgaard – 2.6
Bruno Guimarães – 2.3
Martín Zubimendi – 2.3
Jude Bellingham – 2.3
Enzo Fernández – 2.0
Ryan Gravenberch – 2.0
Pedri – 1.9
Declan Rice – 1.7
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 1.6

Caicedo also led the way in tackles per 90, averaging 3.1 per match, proving he didn’t just work hard—he worked smart and consistently. Partey (2.9) and Nørgaard (2.6) closely followed, confirming their high defensive involvement every time they were on the pitch.

Zubimendi, Guimarães, and Bellingham all averaged 2.3 tackles per 90, showing balanced contribution without being overly aggressive.

At the bottom once again, Tchouaméni (1.6) and Rice (1.7) had the lowest tackling rates, which can bring questions about their defensive intensity compared to the league’s top ball-winners.

Discipline and Errors: Who Stayed Calm Under Pressure?

Talent alone is not enough—top-level midfielders must remain disciplined, composed, and precise in their defensive actions. Unnecessary fouls, mistimed tackles, and poor judgment can lead to dangerous free-kicks, yellow cards, penalties, or suspensions.

This section evaluates which players were the most error-free, disciplined, professional, and cleanest tacklers and who struggled most in keeping their overall play legal.

Fouls from Attempted Tackles: Total Fouls Committed

Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 49
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 40
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 30
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 29
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 28
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 23
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 21
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 21
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 16
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 11
Pedri (Barcelona) – 6

Moisés Caicedo may have topped the tackles chart, but he also committed the most fouls from attempted tackles—a whopping 49, suggesting a tendency to mistime or overcommit. Bruno Guimarães followed with 40, and Christian Nørgaard ranked third at 30, highlighting a more aggressive defensive approach.

Pedri was the cleanest tackler, committing just 6 fouls all season, while Declan Rice was also impressively composed with 11—both demonstrating excellent judgment and calmness in defensive duels.

Fouls from Attempted Tackles per 90 Minutes: Who Maintained the Cleanest Record Game by Game?

Moisés Caicedo – 1.4
Bruno Guimarães – 1.1
Christian Nørgaard – 1.0
Thomas Partey – 1.0
Enzo Fernández – 0.9
Jude Bellingham – 0.9
Martín Zubimendi – 0.7
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 0.6
Ryan Gravenberch – 0.6
Declan Rice – 0.4
Pedri – 0.2

Once again, Caicedo led in fouls per 90 from bad tackles with 1.4, followed by Guimarães (1.1) and Nørgaard and Partey (1.0 each). These numbers reinforce the narrative that while these players are defensively active, they’re also more prone to mistimed challenges and conceding unnecessary fouls.

On the other end, Pedri (0.2) and Rice (0.4) posted the best discipline records per 90—showing maturity, awareness, and tactical timing when defending one-on-one situations.

Ball Security, and Possession: Who Stayed Composed and Focused?

In elite football, composure is just as important as technical quality. A disciplined midfielder protects his team by avoiding unnecessary fouls, limiting cards, and minimizing costly mistakes in possession.

In this section, we explore yellow card accumulation, times tackled, and possession lost (total and per 90) to identify which players were most reliable under pressure.

Yellow Cards: Who Maintained Composure Throughout the Season?

Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 11
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) – 8
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 8
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) – 7
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 6
Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – 6
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 5
Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – 5
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 5
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 4
Pedri (Barcelona) – 3

Moisés Caicedo led the group with 11 yellow cards, suggesting a tendency to lunge into challenges or commit tactical fouls.

Both Christian Nørgaard and Enzo Fernández followed with 8 apiece—figures that raise red flags, especially considering Arsenal’s struggles with red-card suspensions last season.

Partey and Rice also kept their caution count low, with 4 and 5 yellow cards respectively. Pedri was the most disciplined midfielder, finishing the season with just 3 bookings.

Times Tackled: Who Held Possession Safely and Cleverly?

Bruno Guimarães – 103
Jude Bellingham – 71
Ryan Gravenberch – 56
Pedri – 55
Enzo Fernández – 49
Moisés Caicedo – 47
Declan Rice – 46
Christian Nørgaard – 25
Thomas Partey – 26
Martín Zubimendi – 26
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 11

Bruno Guimarães was tackled the most—103 times, which may reflect risky dribbles or holding onto the ball too long in tight areas. Similarly, Bellingham (71) and Pedri (55) showed a tendency to be closed down often.

In contrast, Thomas Partey and Zubimendi were among the hardest to dispossess, both tackled only 26 times.

The most secure was Tchouaméni, who was tackled just 11 times—demonstrating sharp awareness and smart ball usage in dangerous areas.

Possession Lost (Total): Who Was Most Careless in Midfield?

Bruno Guimarães – 481
Enzo Fernández – 462
Pedri – 449
Martín Zubimendi – 359
Declan Rice – 358
Jude Bellingham – 342
Ryan Gravenberch – 324
Christian Nørgaard – 323
Moisés Caicedo – 311
Thomas Partey – 293
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 190

Guimarães (481) and Fernández (462) gave the ball away the most. Pedri, despite being the most frequent ball-recoverer, also ranked poorly here—losing the ball 449 times.

On the flip side, Tchouaméni (190) and Partey (293) were the most secure in possession, keeping losses to a minimum—vital for players operating so close to their own defense.

Possession Lost per 90 Minutes: Who Managed Risk the Best?

Enzo Fernández – 14.2
Pedri – 14.0
Bruno Guimarães – 13.2
Jude Bellingham – 12.4
Declan Rice – 11.4
Martín Zubimendi – 11.0
Christian Nørgaard – 10.3
Thomas Partey – 9.5
Ryan Gravenberch – 9.3
Moisés Caicedo – 8.4
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 6.4

Enzo Fernández and Pedri lost possession most frequently—over 14 times per 90 minutes, raising concerns about decision-making under pressure. Guimarães, Bellingham, and Rice also crossed double digits per 90.

Meanwhile, Tchouaméni once again excelled—averaging just 6.4 possession losses per 90, the best in this comparison. Partey (9.5) and Gravenberch (9.3) also showed reasonable care with the ball in play.

Conclusion: Who Was Europe’s Best Defensive Midfielder in 2024–25?

After an exhaustive comparison of Europe’s top defensive midfielders across every major metric—availability, scoring, creativity, passing, defensive work, discipline, and ball security—it’s clear that no single player dominated every category. But some stood out more consistently across the board.

🥇 Winner: Moisés Caicedo – Chelsea

Despite criticism after initially joining Chelsea, Caicedo quietly became Europe’s most complete defensive midfielder in 2024–25. He:

Played the most minutes and remained available all season
Was the top tackler (114 tackles)
Ranked 2nd in ground duels won (200 total, 9.3 per 90)
Top 3 in ball recoveries (229 total, 6.2 per 90)
Above average in long passes, creativity, and interceptions
Had one of the highest pass accuracy rates (90.15%)
And although he needs to improve on discipline (49 fouls, 11 yellow cards), his volume and consistency in key defensive metrics place him at the top

Caicedo wasn’t perfect—but in terms of availability, intensity, recoveries, and ball-winning impact, no one else combined it all better.

🥈 Runner-Up: Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle United

Guimarães was a monster in ground duels:

Most duels contested and won (426 contested, 224 won, 11.7 per 90 – the highest)
Also ranked well in interceptions (29), tackles (83), and recoveries (188)
A top creative force: 50 chances created, 6 assists
However, he gave away the most possession (481) and was the most tackled (103), raising questions about security under pressure

A technically brilliant, aggressive all-rounder—but less tidy in possession than Caicedo.

🥉 Third Place: Pedri – Barcelona

Pedri was the best-pressing and most intelligent ball-winning midfielder, despite Barcelona’s possession-first system:

Most ball recoveries (254) and recoveries per 90 (8.0)
Led in through balls (27) and had excellent long-pass accuracy (70.05%)
Disciplined: Just 3 yellow cards and only 6 fouls from tackles
However, he gave away the ball often (449 total), had lower defensive duel output, and rarely tackled

Pedri was a genius in reading the game and keeping discipline—but lacked the volume of physical duels that Caicedo and Guimarães thrived in.

⚔️ Notable Mentions:

Aurélien Tchouaméni – Elite in aerial duels (73.27% success), possession retention (6.4 losses/90), and discipline, but had low tackling and ground duel involvement
Thomas Partey – Excellent per-90 numbers in duels, tackles, and ball control, but missed too many games
Declan Rice – Strong passing and availability, but underwhelming in duel success, tackles, and creativity
Martín Zubimendi & Christian Nørgaard – Could form a solid Arsenal partnership, with good aerial stats, interceptions, and consistent effort—but still need to improve on-the-ball sharpness and discipline

🧠 Final Verdict:

If you’re building a team today and need a defensive midfielder who’s available, consistent, a monster in tackles and recoveries, and secure in passing, the numbers say Moisés Caicedo was the best in Europe in 2024–25.

He’s not the flashiest. He doesn’t have the headlines Bellingham gets.
But when it comes to doing the dirty work, winning the midfield war, and giving his team a platform to build on, Caicedo did it all—and did it better than anyone.