Midfielders have come to the fore this season with the advent of managers who prefer to have control of the ball in the middle of the pitch and lay stress on technically gifted players who can keep the possession as well as control the tempo of the match. We are seeing lot more rounded midfield players who can contribute in the defensive areas as well as make offensive forays into the opposition territory. While there are flair players who are capable of being a side’s trump card, players like Fernandinho are fast becoming crucial even in a team like Manchester City.
With the game week 7 now over, we take a sneak peek into 3 best performing midfielders in the English Premier League this weekend.
SANTI CAZORLA
The diminutive Spanish midfielder has come back strongly this season after having an injury-ravaged outing last season. He has looked equally comfortable with both Coquelin and Xhaka by his side and on current form looks to be an indispensable part of the squad. On a day when Ozil failed to get going and the likes of Walcott and Sanchez took time to get into their groove, Cazorla was his usual self. Perennially inventive on the ball, he swept the entire midfield, receiving passes and turning over possession.
Cazorla had more touches (114), attempted more passes (104) and had a higher passing accuracy (98%) than any other Arsenal player on the pitch.
DIMITRI PAYET
The Frenchman has started in the same vein that he left off last season. Laying on assists for Antonio at ease, he has been integral to occasionally saving the blushes of an abject West Ham team. And he opened his account for the season after making a mockery of the Boro defence, in his 18th attempt of the season.
He also created 5 chances for his teammates against Middlesbrough. Many believe he deserves a better club than West Ham and while that may be true, his sole focus should be getting the Hammers to a respectable league position while he is still at the club.
ORIOL ROMEU
Southampton made the trip to the King Power to face an unpredictable Leicester side, who have either scored nothing or scored four goals! And the pattern was re-established once more as they drew 0-0 against the Saints. And the player to have contributed handsomely to Leicester failing to score again was Oriol Romeu.
He marshalled the midfield effectively and was involved heavily in stopping Leicester’s quick attacks. Oriol Romeu made six tackles for Southampton which was at least twice as many as any of his team-mates.
