Approaching the 2016 European Championships, Bleacher Report will review and rank the 200 best players of the tournament, according to their positions. In the fifth ranking review - defensive midfielders. The ranking consists of two categories: one composed of physical attributes (ball interceptions, high ball contests, mobility, and speed), and the other of technical attributes (clever play, passing, first touch, and attack completion). In each of these categories, a player can receive a maximum of 50 points, and adding up the points obtained in both categories, the ranking of the European Championship defensive midfielders was compiled. In this review, players remaining in positions 16-30 are presented. 30. Marouane Fellaini - Belgium Physical attributes: 38/50 Fellaini is a tall player who possesses qualities that cannot be taught. Louis van Gaal trusted him, but with the change of coaches, his career at Manchester United may end as soon as this summer. The European Championship will be crucial for the defensive midfielder - a good performance can raise his value as a player, while a poor one could decrease it. Technical attributes: 37/50 Belgian, when fighting in the second row, can create great episodes, and when he is in the box, most high balls are sent precisely towards him. However, even when he is a dominant player in the air, he hardly justifies the 28 million pounds that Manchester United spent on him. Overall rating: 75/100 The Belgian national team is filled with talented attacking players, so Fellaini will probably have to start the matches from the bench. However, the Belgian national team coach trusts this player, and if the team does not succeed, Fellaini will be one of the first to be replaced by Marc Wilmots. 29. James McCarthy - Ireland Physical attributes: 38/50 After a poor season at Everton, the coach has already lost his job, and there will also be changes in the team's lineup. Despite this, McCarthy should be one of those who will remain in the team. The Irish national team is not among the most talented in this European Championship, and one of their best players is this Everton midfielder. James is known for good ball interceptions in opposition fields. Technical attributes: 38/50 Although Ross Barkley is a key player in the Irish midfield, McCarthy often stood out as a teammate. Last season, he shared passes with 87% accuracy. Without such accuracy, Everton's attacks wouldn't be as dangerous. Overall rating: 76/100 Playing in a tough group, the Irish must try to win matches in the middle of the field. Although this will not be an easy task, in order to successfully perform in the European Championship, Irish players cannot allow their opponents to dominate this position. McCarthy will have an important role in the Irish national team, and the team's performance may depend on his ability to intercept the ball and find gaps in the opponents' defense. 28. Jordan Henderson - England Physical attributes: 38/50 After Steven Gerrard's departure from Liverpool, there was a lack of leadership in the team, which Henderson tried to fill. Although it is too difficult for him to fully replace the club's long-time captain, aspects of Gerrard's teachings can be seen in Henderson's game. Although he is not as good at passing the ball as the legendary Liverpool player, Henderson occupies the safe position from one penalty area to the other. His excellent physical preparation and the fact that he does not give the ball away easily to opponents help him in this position. Technical attributes: 38/50 In Jurgen Klopp's new game at Liverpool, there is room for various styles of players, but they all must be well prepared tactically and press opponents, not allowing them space. Henderson's energy should suit the German well, and if he remains healthy, his role in the team should increase. Overall rating: 76/100 With an injury in April, the Englishman returned to the field just before the end of the club season, but we did not see his performance in the Europa League final. It is said that Roy Hodgson only called up healthy and ready-to-play players to the national team, and Henderson was on the verge in this criteria. In the young national team, even though he is only 25 years old, Henderson will be one of the most experienced players. 27. Jack Wilshere - England Physical attributes: 37/50 Wilshere's main problem is injuries. Although he is not the only player dealing with injuries, and there are more such players at Arsenal, Wilshere's constant injuries prevent him from fully revealing his talent. The Arsenal midfielder is aggressive, dynamic, and plays tougher than many would imagine from his physique. Perhaps this contributes to his constant injuries, but if you take away this attitude from him, you would also destroy the player himself. Technical attributes: 40/50 In Arsene Wenger's coached team, defenders often have to have the ball and play cleverly, create opportunities for their teammates, and even make shots. Wilshere also plays this style of football, but his frequent forced breaks have harmed his development. Still only 24 years old, the Englishman has time to improve, but he needs to spend more time on the field. Overall rating: 77/100 Wilshere's role in the England national team is still a mystery. After appearing in just three matches last season, the midfielder can hardly boast good form. He was called up to the English national team only because of his reputation (by the way, as in this list), and what he can demonstrate on the field this summer is hardly known even to himself. 26. Emre Can - Germany Physical attributes: 40/50 Jurgen Klopp's arrival at Liverpool had a positive impact on many players, and Can is no exception. Playing in the team coached by a compatriot, the German found himself anew. Last season, he was second in the club in terms of interceptions and fourth in taking the ball from the opponents. His strong determination and sense of the game worked well under Klopp's pressing tactics. Technical attributes: 38/50 All of Can's excellent work in defense would be worth nothing if he did not have the technical ability to start the team's attacks after receiving the ball. To the delight of Liverpool fans, the 22-year-old has no shortage of such abilities. Last season, the midfielder made the most passes in his team, and even if most of those passes were made sideways or backward to create space, the ball cannot stand still. Overall rating: 78/100 The fact that Can can play both as a central defender and as a defensive midfielder or even in a more advanced midfielder position was one of the main reasons he was called up to the national team. There are many players in each position who can play better than him, but none of the other national team players have such an ability to play in multiple positions. 25. Axel Witsel - Belgium Physical attributes: 39/50 Despite attention from the strongest European leagues, Witsel chose Russia for his home. Starting his career as an attacking midfielder and winger, at Zenit, Witsel became a reliable defensive midfielder. If his transition affected his productivity in attack, he compensated with significantly improved game comprehension, better positioning, and more versatility. Technical attributes: 39/50 In the last two seasons in Belgium, he scored a total of 23 goals, proving that he can be a serious threat in attack. In the Zenit team, he plays in a different position and moves a bit more away from the goal. This significantly reduced his effectiveness, but he certainly did not lose his ability to score with technical skills. Overall rating: 78/100 Despite facing tough competition in the Belgium national team, Witsel can outperform more well-known teammates and get into the starting eleven. Regardless of the position assigned to the defensive midfielder, the versatile 27-year-old player should be useful to his team. 24. Alessandro Florenzi - Italy Physical attributes: 39/50 With the departure of several key defensive midfielders, Antonio Conte will have to look for other players in this position, and it is likely that Florenzi will be moved there. The Roma player should bring both defensive skills and mobility in the defensive midfield position. Technical attributes: 40/50 Playing as a defensive midfielder, he will have the ball more frequently and his contribution to team attacks will be much greater. With this increased responsibility in attack, Florenzi should not be intimidated - his ball control, passing, and shooting abilities meet the standards required for this position. Overall rating: 79/100 Due to a place in the defensive midfield, Florenzi will have to fight against Riccardo Montolivo, and he has an advantage over him with his physical attributes. However, a versatile player like him could also come in handy on the bench, so Conte will have to decide what he wants to see in his midfield and which weapons he wants to keep on the bench. 23. Sami Khedira - Germany Physical attributes: 40/50 Injuries have affected Khedira. He still has the same strength, but his ability to run, make constant runs, and control the game has experienced a serious decline. However, this does not mean that the German national team member is no longer useful. With his experience and game style, the experienced midfielder can still help his national team, and his rejection of the team would be detrimental. Technical attributes: 39/50 In the last four games of the previous season, Khedira scored two goals, made one assist, but also received a red card. Such a performance best reflects his past seasons - one match he can play brilliantly, in another he can be invisible, and the next week he can suffer an injury that will keep him out of play for two months. Coaches endure such fluctuation in performance because when Khedira shows his best football, finding better defensive midfielders than him becomes challenging. Overall rating: 79/100 Germany has many attacking midfielders, but the choice of defensive midfielders is much narrower. Although Khedira is not predicted to be in the starting eleven, the success of his game will depend on his health. Khedira can hardly run from one area of the field to another for the full 90 minutes, but if the team needs to strengthen the defense, the 29-year-old midfielder is healthy and Joachim Löw should be tempted to let him play in the field. 22. Yohan Cabaye - France Physical attributes: 37/50 The amount of £10 million paid by Crystal Palace for Cabaye certainly paid off. For that amount, it is unlikely they would have found better players in this position. Although not doing anything extraordinary, Frenchman can highlight his reaction and coordination among his physical attributes. Technical attributes: 43/50 No one ever expected from Cabaye to make many kilometers and take away 20 balls during a game. The player was acquired for his ability to create the game. Therefore, Crystal Palace certainly had nothing to regret, and the midfielder became one of the best creators in the Premier League. Overall rating: 80/100 In the group of defensive midfielders, there are many good and talented players among the French, and just being included in the national team lineup is a great recognition of Cabaye's abilities. However, due to injuries, disqualifications, or fatigue, players are often rotated, and given the opportunity, the midfielder can prove what he is worth on the field. Better chances to shine than during the home-held European Championship will hardly come to Cabaye. 21. Eric Dier - England Physical attributes: 44/50 The most aggressive midfielder of Tottenham Hotspur has become a cornerstone in the 4-2-3-1 formations used by Mauricio Pochettino. Known for his defensive skills, the English national team member was a key player who strongly contributed to the successful season of the team. Playing next to two attacking midfielders, he was left behind and never made risky decisions - such playing style is needed in this position. Technical attributes: 37/50 Grown in the Sporting Lisbon academy, the midfielder was taught a technical and beautiful game style in one of the most famous football schools in Portugal. Upon arrival in England, he adapted well to the football played there and became one of those players who enjoy catching the ball from their opponents. Overall rating: 81/100 Without being called up to the initial 23 players, Schneiderlin had to miss the European Championships, but Lassana Diarra's injury opened the door for him to the national team. Among the defensive midfielders, there is huge competition among the French, and Schneiderlin can fight for his place on the field only with his calm and secure play, which could help soothe his younger teammates.
