Approaching the 2016 European Championship, Bleacher Report will review and rank the top 200 players of the tournament, according to their positions. In the fifth ranking review - defensive midfielders.
The ranking is composed of two categories: one composed of physical attributes (ball interceptions, aerial duels, mobility and speed), and the other of technical skills (smart play, passing, first touch, and attack completion). In each of these categories, a player can score a maximum of 50 points, and after adding up the scores obtained in both categories, the ranking of defensive midfielders of the European Championship was arranged.
In the second part of this review, the positions 1-15 occupied by defensive midfielders are presented. You can read about the players remaining in places 16-30 by clicking on this link.
15. Daniele De Rossi - Italy
Physical attributes: 44/50
In the Italian national team, De Rossi has been a key figure since 2004. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder uses his ability to read the game and impeccable ball interceptions to break the opponent's attacks. In this position, there are not many players who could do it better than him.
Technical skills: 40/50
Having spent his entire career at Roma, the midfielder has directly contributed to 99 goals for the club. For a defensive midfielder, for whom standard situations and penalties of eleven meters are not reliable, such statistics are more than excellent.
Overall rating: 84/100
With Buffon and Chiellini leading the team's defense, De Rossi becomes the player who is a leader among attacking players. The Italian still manages to find gaps in the opponents' defense and sends accurate passes into them, but his ability to help the national team will depend on how well he will play in many matches over a fairly short period of time.
14. Granit Xhaka - Switzerland
Physical attributes: 42/50
The new Arsenal acquisition - Xhaka, is the type of player that Arsene Wenger needed for a long time. A sturdy defensive midfielder with innate leadership qualities, he will provide the team with exactly what they have been lacking.
Technical skills: 42/50
The 23-year-old player is not blessed with great speed, but he stands out from other players with his game understanding, intelligent decision-making, and proper positioning. Performing passes well, especially from long distances, he can also punish opponents with goals from outside the penalty area.
The player who has revealed undeniable talent in Germany seems worthy of the £30 million that Arsenal paid for him.
Overall rating: 84/100
In the first European Championship matches, Xhaka will battle against Albania's national team, which he could also represent, before deciding to wear Switzerland's national team jersey. This will not be the first time he will have to play against this team, but it should be an added pressure for this player.
Becoming much more noticeable due to the large sum he will supplement Arsenal with, Xhaka will be even more motivated to prove that he is worthy of a move to one of the leaders of the Premier League, and the first opportunity to prove it will be given to him at the European Championship.
13. Grzegorz Krychowiak - Poland
Physical attributes: 45/50
Arriving at Sevilla from France, Krychowiak joined a team that had lost some of its main players after winning the Europa League. Nevertheless, they continued their victories in Europe, with the Pole being one of the reasons.
Krychowiak's game is based on ball interception, the ability to cover it with his body, and monstrous appearances in winning aerial duels.
Technical skills: 39/50
The 26-year-old player is not one who contributes equally to both attacks and defenses. However, this is not because the Pole cannot take on such a role; it's just that to the Sevilla team, he is much more useful while defending than while creating attacks.
Still, when Krychowiak gets the ball, taking it away from him is very difficult.
Overall rating: 84/100
The strength of the Polish national team is in the attacking part, where Robert Lewandowski shines. This raises the question: is Krychowiak more useful staying in defense and helping the team defend, or being more forward and creating opportunities for attacking players?
We will find out the answer to this question during the European Championship.
