Ranked list · as of September 2026
The best central midfielders right now (2026), ranked by the numbers
The top-rated central midfielders across 18 leagues this season, ranked on the data.
By Doppel's data-led ranking, the best central midfielders right now are Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) tops the list this season with a 7.61 rating, ranked across 18 leagues and adjusted for league strength. As of September 2026.
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruno Fernandessimilar↗ | Manchester United Premier League | 32 | €32m | 7.61 |
| 2 | Declan Ricesimilar↗ | Arsenal Premier League | 27 | €114m | 7.46 |
| 3 | Bruno Guimarãessimilar↗ | Arsenal Premier League | 29 | €72m | 7.45 |
| 4 | Matt Grimessimilar↗ | Coventry City Premier League | 31 | €5.2m | 7.40 |
| 5 | Elliot Andersonsimilar↗ | Manchester City Premier League | 24 | €100m | 7.34 |
| 6 | Granit Xhakasimilar↗ | Sunderland Premier League | 34 | €8.5m | 7.33 |
| 7 | Manuel Locatellisimilar↗ | Juventus Serie A | 28 | €24m | 7.72 |
| 8 | Giacomo Calòsimilar↗ | Frosinone Serie A | 29 | €2.3m | 7.70 |
| 9 | James Garnersimilar↗ | Everton Premier League | 25 | €48m | 7.23 |
| 10 | Hayden Hackneysimilar↗ | Everton Premier League | 24 | €35m | 7.22 |
| 11 | Casemirosimilar↗ | Manchester United Premier League | 34 | €5.5m | 7.22 |
| 12 | Youri Tielemanssimilar↗ | Manchester United Premier League | 29 | €43m | 7.20 |
| 13 | Mateus Fernandessimilar↗ | Tottenham Hotspur Premier League | 22 | €49m | 7.19 |
| 14 | Pedrisimilar↗ | FC Barcelona La Liga | 24 | €164m | 7.56 |
| 15 | Reece Jamessimilar↗ | Chelsea Premier League | 27 | €63m | 7.18 |
| 16 | Lucas Paquetásimilar↗ | West Ham United Premier League | 29 | €36m | 7.18 |
| 17 | Dominik Szoboszlaisimilar↗ | Liverpool FC Premier League | 26 | €91m | 7.18 |
| 18 | Kiernan Dewsbury-Hallsimilar↗ | Everton Premier League | 28 | €38m | 7.16 |
| 19 | Moisés Caicedosimilar↗ | Chelsea Premier League | 25 | €104m | 7.15 |
| 20 | Enzo Fernándezsimilar↗ | Manchester City Premier League | 25 | €97m | 7.15 |
| 21 | Anton Stachsimilar↗ | Leeds United Premier League | 28 | €27m | 7.14 |
| 22 | Ethan Ampadusimilar↗ | Leeds United Premier League | 26 | €28m | 7.13 |
| 23 | Victor Torpsimilar↗ | Coventry City Premier League | 27 | €14.5m | 7.12 |
| 24 | Boubacar Kamarasimilar↗ | Aston Villa Premier League | 27 | €39m | 7.12 |
| 25 | Mamadou Sangaresimilar↗ | Brentford Premier League | 24 | €39m | 7.11 |
Ranked by player rating, current season, min 600 minutes, across 18 leagues. Value marked * is a market estimate. Updated September 2026.
FAQ
- Who is the best central midfielder right now?
- By the data, Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) is the top-rated central midfielder this season (7.61 rating), ahead of Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães. Full ranking across 18 leagues on this page.
- Who is the best value central midfielder?
- Manuel Locatelli (Juventus) stands out on value: a 7.72 rating at roughly €24m, below the market's headline prices.
- How are the best central midfielders ranked?
- Doppel ranks central midfielders by player rating over the current season (minimum 600 minutes), across 18 leagues in Europe and South America, league-strength adjusted so output isn't over-credited in weaker leagues. Updated automatically.
Want similar players to anyone on this list?
Find similar players on Doppel →Free to cite with a link to doppel.football. Figures as of September 2026.