young strike again
he has change...

vidal is top 3 for his position in the world some say the best in the world. I doubt Fletcher is even in the top 30-40 in the world in his position

5. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

If Yaya Toure hadn't missed the number of games he has this season, Manchester City would've been better off in the Barclays Premier League. The time he is injured or playing in Africa for the AFCON, City, quite clearly, struggle. Even last season, Manchester City let their lead over their neighbours slip during the AFCON, sorely missing him. The sheer strength, passing accuracy and vision, helps Yaya, dominate the midfield. Earlier this season, when City faced a daunting Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeau, Yaya Toure was the Man of the Match despite City losing the game 3-2. Such was his dominance in the game that he appeared to be the only Man in a game of Boys. A real stalwart for City, Yaya Toure is number 5 on the list only because of the games he has missed this season.

4. Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint Germain)

Playing for team studded with players of the prowess and panache of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and more recently, David Beckham, it is hard to make your mark. Blaise Matuidi has done exactly that. A player who absolutely loves to tackle, averaging 3.6 tackles per match Matuidi may well be considered the reason PSG are still in the Champions League. He was without doubt their only silver lining in a rather drab performance in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Valencia. His defensive and ball-winning abilities make him stand out at PSG and thus are a regular starter for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Add to that his ability to play on either side of the centre of the pitch at the age of 25; we get a truly special talent. He makes to number four on this list with serious promise of becoming a great defensive mid-fielder in the coming times.

3. Lars Bender (Bayern Leverkusen)

Bayern Leverkusen have had a pretty decent season thus far. For most of the season, they've been second in the table in the Bundesliga, and are just a point below Borussia Dortmund in third currently. Also, they've been the only team to beat Bayern Munich this season in the Bundesliga. Their star striker S. Keibling is currently joint top scorer in the Bundesliga and is a prime reason for their great showing thus far. Having said that, there's another rather underrated individual in the Leverkusen side, who has managed to gather 3 assists and 3 goals from a defensive position. Lars Bender has been pretty influential in his side's decent showing. He is sure on the ball and accurate with his passing too. Another player who likes to tackle, he also has managed to block seven shots so far in the Bundesliga. Only 23 years of age, Lars Bender has all the qualities to take up the role that Sami Khedira has in the German National Team and also is ready to be scalped by the major football powerhouses in European football. At number 3, for his performances both in the Bundesliga and in the Europa League, is Lars Bender.

2. Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)

Manchester United came out with a plan against Real Madrid in their second leg. To be fair to them, they it was working before Nani was controversially sent off. The plan was simple; mark Xabi Alonso, suffocate him for space and the main supply to Cristiano Ronaldo will automatically be cut off. Once Nani got red-carded, Danny Welbeck shifted towards the right and Alonso was free. Immediately, Real Madrid looked like scoring. That is how important a player Xabi Alonso is. Sure in aerial duels and even more sure in his tackling, Xabi Alonso forms the backbone of both the Los Blancos and the Spanish National Team. He is a perfect mix of defence and attack and is probably the best defensive midfielder of recent times.

1. Arturo Vidal (Juventus)

Currently, Arturo Vidal is probably THE best defensive midfielder in world football. Not an out and out defensive midfielder, the Chilean is played more in a central midfielder's role with Andrea Pirlo just behind him in the Juventus system. But Andrea Pirlo doesn't tackle much. He is more of an architect. This means that Vidal has to play the role of a defensive midfielder as well. He averages a staggering 5 tackles per game and has scored on 10 occasions, whilst providing 9 assists in all competition. Alongside this, he successfully completes 88% of the passes he makes. At number one, staking his deserved claim is Arturo Vidal.

http://www.givemesport.com/334400-top-five...s-of-the-season

This post has been edited by Tak3shi: Aug 3 2014, 05:39 AM

Lovely cross by Kagawa...

Nice game from man utd so far

Outstanding performance from united

Real madrid play with no striker but united still dominated the midfield... LOLZ

dont let kagawa go...it will be United biggest mistake this summer

is it just me or is luke shaw looking very tired on the pitch? lol

Happy that Fletcher is getting stronger each game. Long may it continue for him.

I notice that also. He look slow when attacking...

It's ok, we have Young to play there too

Yay! Into the final in ICC vs. Southampton.

Just abt to say this. Good job Southampton..good job!

great job ashley young made haters buried their head in the sand.but in the end,he still need consistent run in the league.well done smashley young.

nice dig on utd vs pool

Ashley no-so-Young for the captaincy!

then he will lead us into diving

This is the interesting part/ability of LVG.. his ability to get performances from young () players and players who previously struggled.

Fingers crossed that he can keep working his magic on the other guys who have underperformed in recent times!

LVG has the same aura as SAF. seeing how he brings the best out of players. amazing.

so Ancelotti, what about us having little chances of winning the league now?

and i hope Ronaldo goes "crap i should go back MU now ;p" hu hu

guys,do u think fletcher will be in 1st eleven next season?

might want to put him in my FPL team .. hehe

We are playing football again! Good attacking football even its only pre season. Great match, enjoyable!