English Premier League: Ranking the Top 8 Squads (Part II: Midfield)

After comparing the attack department in the last article, we take a look at the engine room in this article. The midfield is essentially where the show is run from in a football match. Teams with average midfields rarely win anything consistently. 

The Barclays English Premier League had some of the finest midfielders from the world on show this past season. There will be marquee additions no doubt in the summer too. For assessing who will need those, let us compare the top eight midfields and rank them accordingly. 

Let us move on to the rankings then. 

8. Liverpool

Personnel—Steven Gerrard, Maxi Rodriguez, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Jay Spearing, Lucas, Charlie Adam, Jonjo Shelvey, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy

It is a strange story with Liverpool. Last season the Reds had Raul Meireles and Alberto Aquilani beside Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva with a load of cash to spend. You would expect that after spending on such a strong midfield, one would arguably assemble one of the strongest midfields in the world, let alone the league. Sadly, it has not been the case. 

There does exist potential in the form of Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey and more of the untried youngsters for Liverpool. That, however, does not give them a top midfield on paper—not for the moment at least. Even for good quantity, they have lacked quality this season. Balance is also an issue that will have to be addressed this summer.

7. Everton

Personnel—Darron Gibson, Royston Drenthe, Tim Cahill, Phil Neville, Ross Barkley, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman

Everton's midfield has delivered a lot more this season than Liverpool's. Even though there is not a lot of difference in quality, Everton's midfield is a lot more balanced. Everton need to strengthen the midfield a lot lesser than their Merseyside neighbors. 

6. Newcastle United

Personnel—Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie, Hatem Ben Arfa, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling, Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Marveaux, Cheick Tiote, Haris Vuckic, Peter Lovenkrands and Gabriel Obertan

Newcastle United and Alan Pardew have invested very wisely throughout the squad. The value for money that Newcastle has got on its purchases has been immense. Yohan Cabaye has to be near the top of the charts for buy of the season. Cheick Tiote did not cost too much either. Hatem Ben Arfa has earned a call up for the national team. Good times at the St.James', oh I am sorry The Sports Direct Arena.

5. Chelsea

Personnel—Michael Essien, Oriol Romeu, Ramires, Frank Lampard, Mikel John Obi, Florent Malouda, Juan Mata, Raul Meireles

Chelsea had less to choose from this season when talking about the midfield. It was still a lot of quality in comparison to other teams. Just not as extensive as some of the midfield squads that the Blues have possessed prior to the season gone by. Michael Essien has come back this season, and if he can get back to his earlier self, then Chelsea will be a title threat during the next season. 

4. Tottenham

Personnel—Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon, Scott Parker, Luka Modric, Danny Rose, Jake Livermore, Sandro, Ryan Fredericks, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Giovani Dos Santos, Niko Kranjcar

The midfield mentioned above has potential to be the No. 1 in the league next season. Gareth Bale was off-color this season ,and Tom Huddlestone did not feature a lot. The rest of the names are also by no means a part of the reserve squad. 

3. Manchester United

Personnel—Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Ji-Sung Park, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia

The fact that Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were again at their very best gave a solid foundation to United's midfield once again this season. Tom Cleverley's injury early on in the season did not help, as he was looking promising. The wing trio of Young, Nani and Valencia seems to be one of the best, if not the best, in the league. 

2. Manchester City

Personnel—James Milner, David Pizarro, Adam Johnson, Gareth Barry, Owen Hargreaves, David Silva, Nigel De Jong, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri

Manchester City scored a lot of goals in a season that they have just been crowned as champions after 44 long years. Even though much of it was down to a plethora of talent in the striking department, the midfield's contribution can not be discarded. David Silva could have challenged Robin Van Persie for the PFA award if he had been consistent enough. Gareth Barry was the unsung hero, and Yaya Toure was what Michael Essien has been at times for Chelsea, but only much better. 

1. Arsenal

Personnel—Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Chamberlain, Yossi Benayoun, Theo Walcott and Gervinho

Most might disagree, but I think Arsenal have a very good midfield with great balance.

Alex Song continues to impress me. Emmanuel Frimpong has been good whenever I have seen him, and Aaron Ramsey has grown to be a very good footballer indeed. Mind you, he is only 21 at present. The mix of youth and experience is where I put Arsenal ahead of Manchester City. Alex Chamberlain is another player that anyone would want to have in their team.

Finally, please note that the prodigious Jack Wilshere has not even been included. I seriously think that if Arsenal can shore up its defense and bring in some cover for Van Persie, it will be hard for the citizens to defend their title.

Thanks for reading. Next we will look at the defense.