Top 5 Central Attacking Midfielders EPL pre-season review - No Coutinho?!

If your wingers are low on confidence and can't beat a man and your forwards are out of form and misfiring like WWII artillery then managers and fans alike often turn to their CAMs or 'Number 10s', for inspiration. CAMs are such a key part of modern football that they have resulted in the extinction of the 4-4-2, these players are the creativity that make strikers tick. Key attributes of the World's best Central Attacking midfielders are confidence with the ball at their feet, intelligent and purposeful runs and a flair trait which can turn the game on its head. The likes of Zidane and Ronaldinhio are the definition of 'perfect CAMs' but can anyone in the EPL compete with their enormous standard?

#5 Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal FC

It was between the Welshman and Coutinho for the final slot in such a star lined shortlist. I opted for the Arsenal man on the back of a stunning Euros campaign in which he was crowned the most complete midfielder of the tournament. On the other hand Coutinho put in an equally respectable shift for Brazil at the Copa America where he scored his first national hat trick. Whilst the Liverpool man has the best longshot in the League Ramsey has more to his game and offers greater consistency, the Welsh midfielder comes out on top in terms of runs into the box, tackling and endurance, furthermore Ramsey is not a complete foreigner to a thunderous strike. Whilst Ramsey can be deployed as far back as a holding midfielder I think he operates best in a free roaming role where he can pick the ball up in spaces, turn and drive at defences, often earning free kicks along the way. In spite of his effectiveness as a CAM a certain German fills the void for Arsenal, instead expect Ramsey to start alongside new boy Xhaka in the heart of midfield.

#4 Dele Alli - Tottenham Hotspur

A player of such promise and technical ability could not quite get it right at the Euros for England. Whether it be down to pressure or inexperience the 22 year old simply didn't have the same composure in France as he did for Spurs or in previous friendlies, by consequence the midfield maestro was guilty of blazing over or heading wide on several occasions. Needless to say that this should not dent Alli's reputation, he is one of the most promising players around and unlike other English CAM's (Barkley, Lallana) usually possesses a consistent goal threat, in fact he netted 10 times last season and assisted 11 overall. With the undeniable talents of Eriksen and Kane around his Alli will develop swimmingly, I wouldn't be surprised if the former MK Dons man moves away from Spurs for big money if he excels again this coming season.

#3 Dimitri Payet - West Ham United

In just under a year the 29 year old has become both a West Ham and France saviour on the back of impossible strikes and moments of magic. West Ham fans had high hopes for Payet yet the creative midfielder went one step further and exceeded all expectations, showcasing sublime skills and confidence on a weekly basis. It's no coincidence that a Payet injury saw a stumble in the Hammer's Premier League charge however with the 2016/17 season fast approaching Payet is back on the horse with any thoughts of a move to Real Madrid wavered into non-existence by a £50 million price tag. As much as a rate Payet I expect the pressure and expectation on his shoulders may be too much, then again new signing Feghouli may provide a resourceful outlet.

#2 Mesut Ozil - Arsenal FC

The title 'Assist King' tells you that this German specialises not in fast car engineering but instead passes upon passes. Ozil has a certain calmness about him, he is rarely flustered, similarly his through balls are never rash, quite the opposite, well weighted and controlled. Ozil recorded 19 assists last season, vastly superior to the likes of Eriksen, Mahrez and Tadic, on top of this the German has added goals to his name, 6 in total last season. Ozil is at his best in the centre of the park yet last season he occasionally featured wide left, unfortunately for Ozil pace is not his finest attribute and he is often limited in this role. As a result many feel the addition of PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez to the Arsenal squad would give Ozil a better opportunity to break through the middle and provide the lay offs and neat flicks to the likes of Giroud and Sanchez that see his name soar through the assist charts.

#1 Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City

De Bruyne was mediocre at Chelsea, magnificent for Wolfsburg and now is the most mesmerising and majestic player in the whole of the EPL for Pep's Manchester City. De Bruyne has proven he's got it all, look no further than an inventive overhead kick vs Newcastle, a beautiful counter attack orchestrated against Chelsea or nutmeg after nutmeg on bewildered defenders so filthy that the cleaners have to be called in. Stats speak volumes of the Belgium's talent, 9 goals and 7 assists in as few as 19 starts is quite something on top of 3 assists at the Euros. I would be surprised not to see the 25 year old in the Team of the Season if not crowned PFA Player of the Year come the end of next season.

Notable Mentions 

⦁ Philipe Coutinho - Liverpool FC
⦁ Wayne Rooney - Manchester United
⦁ Christian Eriksen - Tottenham Hotspur
⦁ David Silva - Manchester City

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Top 5 EPL Holding Midfielders
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