Let's Talk About Holding Midfielders
- Daniel Austin-Chukwu
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
You know what time it is… the next instalment of my top five mini-series. So far, we’ve gone through the traditional back five: goalkeeper, centre-back and both full-backs. Now we move slightly further up the pitch to arguably the most underappreciated role in modern football: the holding midfielder. Whilst these players are more than just defensive midfielders, doing the dirty work, they are now seen as deep-lying playmakers, keeping the game ticking, and making it all look so simply that they barely get the praise they deserve. So, without further ado, let's dive straight into it.
#5 Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
When Liverpool signed Gravenberch, I wasn’t entirely convinced. His time at Bayern Munich was underwhelming, and it felt like Liverpool were taking a punt on potential rather than proven quality. Fast forward to today and, well, safe to say they knew what they were doing. Gravenberch has quietly become one of Liverpool’s key operators at the base of their midfield this season. He's got this wonderful combination of composure, dribbling ability, and physicality that makes him so effective both in and out of possession.
He’s press-resistant, deceptively quick, and has that rare ability to glide past players even from deep positions. There’s a real smoothness to his game when he’s on it. You can see echoes of a young Yaya Touré in the way he drives forward. At times, though, he can still drift through games at times, but he’s still young. That’ll come with time. Given his age, his clear improvements, and the way Liverpool are grooming him for a big role, he’s absolutely earned his spot here. Watch this space: he’s only just getting started.
#4: Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
Caicedo’s record-breaking move to Chelsea brought with it sky-high expectations – and initially, it looked like he had forgotten how to play football entirely. But credit where it’s due, Caicedo has quietly turned things around. As Chelsea have stabilised (well, relatively speaking), so has he. Caicedo is everything you want from a modern holding midfielder: tenacious, brilliant at sniffing out danger, and deceptively progressive with his passing. He's also got that South American grit that you simply can’t teach, the kind that makes opponents' lives miserable.
He covers ground well, breaks up play effectively, and he’s starting to form a better understanding with Enzo Fernández in midfield. The issue? He still looks a little raw at times, especially when the game gets chaotic. His decision-making under pressure isn’t quite elite yet, and occasionally he bites into tackles a little too eagerly. Still, considering the weight of expectation and the sheer madness at Chelsea, the fact Caicedo is finding his feet now bodes really well for the future. Chelsea fans should be quietly excited.
#3: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle)
If Newcastle's midfield is the engine room, then Bruno Guimarães is very much the engine and the oil and the guy turning the ignition key. Quite simply, he makes everything tick. Guimarães has been his usual great self this season, even when Newcastle’s form has been up and down. He's tenacious in the tackle, fearless when flying into challenges, and his passing range is fantastic. Whether it’s a sharp one-two to escape pressure or a raking diagonal ball, he’s got it in his locker.
There’s a sort of chaotic elegance about him; he’s not the most polished player you'll ever see, but his ability to influence games is second to none. Plus, he likes to get under the skin of opponents. Where he sometimes struggles is with discipline – not just in terms of bookings (though he’s good for a yellow every other week), but tactically. He can occasionally get pulled out of position in the heat of the battle and leave gaps behind him. Even so, few players in the Premier League dictate the tempo as naturally and effectively as Guimarães. He’s the beating heart of Newcastle.
#2: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Since making the switch to Arsenal, Rice has looked like he’s been wearing the shirt for his entire career. As complete deep-lying midfielders go, he’s nearly that: physically dominant, tactically intelligent, excellent in possession, and perhaps most importantly, an outstanding leader. Whether it's shielding the back four, carrying the ball through midfield, or pinging passes out to the wings, he does it all at an elite level.
What’s scary is how quickly he’s adapted to Mikel Arteta’s tactical demands. Rice doesn’t just break up attacks; he starts them too. His ability to turn defence into attack in a blink makes him the lynchpin of Arsenal’s setup. If you really wanted to nitpick (and I do love a good nitpick), you could argue that his passing is still a shade below the very, very best in the world. He can keep things ticking over, no problem, but when it comes to those killer vertical balls through the lines, he’s not quite at those elite levels. That said, given how much he’s improving year-on-year, that minor flaw might not exist for much longer.
#1: Rodri (City)
I know, Rodri has missed huge chunks of this season. But it’s clear, City without Rodri have looked like Superman without his cape: still powerful, but suddenly very, very mortal. When he plays, Rodri is the ultimate safety blanket. His reading of the game is frankly absurd, he’s calmness personified on the ball, and he controls games with such ease that you sometimes forget he’s even there. That’s the mark of a truly great holding midfielder: making the impossible look routine.
He doesn’t just keep the ball ticking over either. Rodri has become a real goal threat, popping up with crucial strikes when City need them most. His ability to step up in big moments – both defensively and offensively – is second to none. Weaknesses? Honestly, there aren’t many. If you want to really reach, you could say he’s not the quickest over long distances, but it never seems to matter because he reads the game so well. Until someone consistently outperforms him over a full season, Rodri remains the gold standard. City’s drop-off without him tells you everything you need to know.
This Week’s Hot Take
Gone are the days where deep-lying midfielders are simply protectors of the backline. Whilst it’s still a crucial part of their job, they need to also be able to connect the defence to the attack. In modern day football if, as a number six, you can’t advance the ball up the field and offer something in the attacking third, you can’t be considered elite in that position.
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