Who is the world's best central midfielder?

Yaya Toure - The epitome of the powerful midfielder, Yaya Toure took up the reins of Michael Essien as world football’s premier powerhouse and took the role onto new heights.

Toure was guilty last season of having too many "off days," but has been sensational in 2013-14 as he quickly amassed double figures in goals in a City side that look nigh-on unbeatable on home turf.

At his best, the Ivorian breezes past opponents, shrugging off markers with ease and striding forward up the pitch—all while maintaining excellent close control of the football.

There are few midfielders as feared as Toure, with the City man capable of single-handedly turning games at the highest level.

Paul Pogba - Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is widely regarded as one of the best of his generation, having recently won Tuttosport’s Golden Boy prize awarded to the best young player of the past 12 months, per the Daily Mail.

The young Frenchman has been a roaring success since moving to Turin from Manchester United just 18 months ago and looks set to be a major figure in European football for some time to come.
Pogba’s strength lies in his ability to blend deftness of touch with his imposing physique as he seeks to dominate the centre of the pitch. It is a balance that, as he gathers experience, he is becoming increasingly good at finding.

As with any young player, there are still improvements to be made in his game but he is well on his way to the very top of the world game.

Miralem Pjanic - Miralem Pjanic may not play for one of Europe’s very best sides, turning out for a Roma team starved of European football, but he has quietly established himself as one of the greatest midfielders in the world. The Bosnia international has become the fulcrum of Rudi Garcia’s revolution in the Italian capital.

Alongside the more robust Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi, Pjanic’s primary responsibility is to provide a link between the midfield and attack. This is a role he carries out with excellence on a regular basis, fashioning numerous chances in each match.

Such is the formidable nature of Roma’s midfield, they have been dominant in virtually every Serie A fixture they have played this season and reduced the great Juventus to playing a counter-attacking game against them. Pjanic’s class was the primary reason, and to force a side such as Juve to adopt a different tactical approach is high praise of his excellence. As was his key role in taking Bosnia to their first ever World Cup.

Arturo Vidal - Arturo Vidal is the perfect midfielder – defensively, offensively, physically, mentally, tactically, technically, the 26-year-old ticks every box. No one can rival Vidal’s ability to halt opposition attacks – the Chilean executed the most tackles in total in the Champions’ League group stages of this season and last. His goal scoring record for someone whose first responsibility is to defend is extraordinary – 57 goals in the last three and a half years.

Lightning fast, indefatigable and fiercely competitive, Vidal never stops running until the last kick. He has the heart of a lion – hence his nickname ‘The Warrior’ – and regularly plays through the pain barrier, as he did when he limped around the Chelsea pitch for an hour in inspiring Juventus to a 2-2 comeback draw last season.

He can fit into any system, can adapt to any culture or competition – unlike others in this debate – and is so complete he has also played for Juventus at centre back, wing back and even on the wing! Would walk into any team.

Bastian Schweinsteiger - It’s been a tough couple of years, injury-wise, for Bastian Schweinsteiger but that should not detract from his standing as the foremost midfielder in world football. He is the man who has made Bayern Munich tick in recent season and few can argue that Pep Guardiola’s side are not now the best team in the world.

He shows for every pass and rarely fails to find the mark. He covers his defence on instinct and is always in the right spot for an interception or a tackle. When fit, he is as a robust competitor as there is and he comes out on top in any midfield duel in which he is involved.

He has evolved into the complete central midfield player in the past number of seasons since Louis van Gaal restored him to that position, and Jupp Heynckes and Guardiola have both had no qualms about appointing him their on-field deputy. He is now a mature, responsible player and one who will again play a key part this season for both club and country.