Bruno, Madison, Partey: Best midfielders in 2024/25 EPL season

The Premier League is not just a competition about skills and tactics, rather a battlefield, filled with intensity, physicality and tenacity and midfielders are the generals, commanding play, breaking opposition lines, and turning games with sensational moments. As the 2024/25 season gradually nears its twilight, five players have distinguished themselves as the league’s top midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, James Maddison, Mateo Kovacic, Youri Tielemans, and Thomas Partey. Through their statistics, styles, and sheer influence, they’ve shaped their teams’ fortunes. Hence, this piece is set to explore why they are the best of the best in the 2024/25 campaign.

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United’s beating heart in a season of trouble filled with match inconsistencies, fans vs club executives discontent, and injury crisis. Currently, the Portuguese captain has notched eight goals and nine assists in 24 league appearances, leading all midfielders with 17 direct goal involvements. His 3.2 key passes per 90 minutes and 72 shots (24 on target) underline his relentless attacking intent, while his 0.39 intentional assists per game rank in the league’s top tier.

Fernandes’ style is all fire and passion; a No. 10 who thrives in chaos, pressing high and delivering under pressure. His assist for Rasmus Hojlund’s opener against Leicester City in March 20, 2025, showcased his clutch brilliance. For a United side languishing mid-table, Fernandes has been their hope, contributing to 12 of their 14 wins. With his talent, work rate, determination, and leadership qualities, manager Ruben Amorim has praised him before the media in post match interviews and media conferences.

READ ALSO

Bruno Fernandes: United’s unsung hero, can he be called a club legend?

Ranking the best Right-Backs in the Premier League 2024/25 Campaign

Haaland vs Maghalaes: Biggest Player Rivalries in EPL this Season

James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

James Maddison has been on fire under Ange Postecoglou, lighting up Tottenham’s midfield with distinctive talent. In 23 league games, he’s scored six goals and provided eight assists, averaging a goal involvement every 138 minutes. His 2.8 key passes per 90 and 86% pass accuracy reflect his precision, while his 1.4 successful dribbles per game rank him among the league’s trickiest playmakers.

Maddison’s style is sensational, dribbling past opposition players, making passes, and striking them when the opportunity arises. Maddison’s creativity has been vital, easing the burden on Son Heung-min and driving their attacking.

Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)

A bit unusual and unexpected to see Kovacic appear in this piece of best midfielders in the Premier League. Stepping into Rodri’s big shoes after his September 2024 injury, Mateo Kovacic has been Manchester City’s unsung hero. In 22 league appearances, he’s scored three goals and added two assists, but his deeper impact shines through: 94% pass accuracy, 6.8 progressive passes per 90, and 1.6 tackles per game. His 10.8 km covered per match shows his often overlooked work rate for a team who now look like a past glory.

Kovacic’s style is smooth, a tempo-setter who keeps City ticking with skilful with touches and calm under pressure. His long-range strike in a 2-1 win over Newcastle on January 18, 2025, has guided a struggling the Cityzens. Despite four losses in seven games without Rodri, Kovacic has kept them in contention for the top four (fifth with 49 points), proving his worth as Pep Guardiola’s midfield glue.

Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

Another surprising name to make it to the top rank is Youri Tielemans. The Belgian has quietly become Aston Villa’s midfield anchor under Unai Emery. In 24 league games, he’s scored four goals and provided six assists, averaging a goal involvement every 198 minutes. His 89% pass accuracy and 2.1 key passes per 90 highlight his reliability, while 1.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game show his defensive bite.

Tielemans combines quality with tenacity, a two-way midfielder who links play and disrupts opponents. With his impressive performances, Villa sits less than 10 points away from the fourth position, and Tielemans’ consistency has been key to their top four push, complementing the flair of Morgan Rogers and the physicality of Amadou Onana.

Thomas Partey (Arsenal)

Thomas Partey has rolled back the years, anchoring Arsenal’s midfield with poise and power. In 22 league appearances, he’s scored three goals and assisted twice, but his defensive stats stand out: 2.1 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per 90, paired with an 87% pass accuracy and 5.6 progressive passes per game. At 31, he’s defying injury woes to reclaim his peak.

Partey’s style is commanding yet composed, a No. 6 who shields the backline and launches attacks. His 20-yard strike in a 5-1 win over Manchester City on February 1, 2025, sealed a crucial victory, keeping Arsenal in second position with 58 points. Mikel Arteta has hailed him for his match performances and Partey’s revival has made the Gunners chase the title, even though critics like myself have said otherwise and easing the load on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

Conclusion

Fernandes, Madison, five midfielders showcase the Premier League’s rich tapestry of talent. Fernandes’ 17 goal involvements top the list, followed by Maddison (14), Tielemans (10), Kovacic (5), and Partey (5). However, their impacts go beyond numbers, for Fernandes he lifts United’s spirit, Maddison ignites Spurs’ flair, Kovacic holds a crumbling City together due to the injury of star midfielder Rodri and the aging Kevin De Bruyne, Tielemans balances Villa’s ambition, and Partey fortifies Arsenal’s defense.

Their teams reflect their influence: Arsenal in the chase for the Premier League trophy, while Villa and City vie for the top four, Spurs and United on the other hand want to be far from the relegation zone and possibly qualify for Europe. As the season unfolds, these midfield masters will dictate their clubs’ destinies—one pass, one goal, one battle at a time.