Destroyers of the Pitch: Top 5 EPL Defensive Midfielders

Photo Courtesy of Twitter @chelseafc

1. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea

This one is a no brainer. Anyone that has watched the Premier League this year should know that the Blues success can be attributed to the play of this absolute destroyer. Matic made only 2 appearances in his first stint with Chelsea from 2009-2011. It’s safe to say that his second stint has been a smashing success. Many may argue that Matic is protecting the best back line in the Premier League, but the confidence Mourinho instills in him has allowed Chelsea to bomb up offensively as well. Cesc Fabregas has benefited the most as his 12 assists leads the Premier League, much of which can be credited to his freedom to roam up with such a rock next to him.

If one does want to look at stats, the most important is that Chelsea’s lone loss of the season to Newcastle occurred with Matic out of the lineup. The Serbian makes about 4 tackles a match and contributes to 3 clearances, while maintaining a pass accuracy of 88%. His gutsy performance in thwarting many Potter attacks at cold and rainy Stoke this past Monday night, in which he won Man of the Match, was another example of how important a defensive midfielder of a top caliber is to a Premier League club. Matic may currently be the most irreplaceable player for the league leading Chelsea side.

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