Top 5 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League 2022/23: Rodri remains the clear number one

Manchester City became Premier League champions in 2022/23 with a dominant campaign and later completed a historic treble. While the forwards were highlighted by Erling Haaland’s goals, several defensive midfielders delivered excellent performances, especially Rodri. Below, nowgoalpro.net evaluates the Top 5 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League 2022/23.

Top 5 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League 2022/23

5. Thomas Partey - Arsenal

The 2022/23 season can be considered the best of Thomas Partey’s career. Playing as the team’s main defensive midfielder, Partey took on multiple responsibilities in Arsenal’s system, from shielding the defense to supporting attacks. In every role, the Ghanaian midfielder performed at a high level.

Partey’s main strength was his ability to escape pressure, which helped Arsenal build up play and control matches. He frequently delivered forward passes to teammates and improved his long-range shooting, which had previously been seen as a weakness. Partey was arguably Arsenal’s most important player that season, as he provided the balance that allowed the Xhaka and Odegaard partnership to attack more freely. When he was sidelined by injury, Arsenal struggled and dropped crucial points, eventually losing the title to Man City.

4. Moises Caicedo - Brighton

One of Brighton’s most impressive discoveries, Moises Caicedo enjoyed an outstanding season. Despite being only 21 at the time, he had already become the midfield anchor for Brighton. He played 37 Premier League matches that season and was a key figure in manager Roberto De Zerbi’s high-pressing, possession-based system.

Statistically, Caicedo ranked among the league leaders in tackles and interceptions. He consistently tracked opponents throughout the full 90 minutes without showing signs of fatigue. Brighton often built attacks from deep positions, and Caicedo played a vital role thanks to his composure on the ball and a high passing accuracy of 89%. He could also operate as a right-back when required, providing tactical flexibility when the squad faced injuries. Alongside Alexis Mac Allister, Caicedo was instrumental in helping Brighton finish sixth and secure a place in the Europa League.

3. Declan Rice (West Ham)

Declan Rice’s final season at West Ham was truly memorable. At just 23 years old, he wore the captain’s armband and established himself as a true leader on and off the pitch. In midfield, Rice partnered with Soucek, focusing on interceptions and ball recoveries. He led the entire Premier League with 334 ball recoveries and topped the interception rankings, showing excellent reading of the game and strong defensive awareness.

In addition, Rice often drove forward to support attacks and attempted long-range shots when needed. Although West Ham finished 14th in the league, Rice led the club to the UEFA Conference League title, becoming the first West Ham captain in 58 years to lift a European trophy. After the season, he moved to Arsenal in a transfer worth over £100 million and continued to prove himself as one of the league’s top midfielders.

2. Casemiro (Man United)

Signed from Real Madrid, Casemiro made a strong impact in his first season at Man United. He filled a crucial role that the team had lacked for years: a defensive midfielder capable of protecting the back line and reducing pressure on the defense.

In his debut campaign, Casemiro showed excellent positioning and awareness, frequently stopping dangerous situations before they developed. He averaged 3.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, the highest figures in the Man United squad. His presence allowed other midfielders, such as Bruno Fernandes, to focus more on creativity. Man United finished third and returned to the Champions League after a disappointing previous season. However, Casemiro received two red cards and missed seven matches, and during those games, the team clearly struggled without a player capable of replacing his role.

1. Rodri (Man City)

The 2022/23 season was one of the best of Rodri’s career. He played a vital role in Man City’s third consecutive Premier League title and their first-ever Champions League triumph. Rodri’s importance was clear, as he rarely missed a match and became the central figure in Pep Guardiola’s system.

Statistically, Rodri led the Premier League with 2,977 passes, averaging more than 80 per game, while maintaining an impressive accuracy rate of 91.2%. His greatest strengths include shielding the ball under pressure, using his physical presence to protect possession, and controlling the tempo of matches. He was responsible for breaking up opposition attacks and initiating new ones with accurate long passes. Despite the demanding schedule, including a mid-season World Cup, Rodri maintained a consistently high level throughout the campaign.

NowGoal Pro has ranked the Top 5 best defensive midfielders in the Premier League 2022/23. Other notable performers in that season included Joao Palhinha, Romeo Lavia, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. For more updates on the latest football results, please follow our page.