'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The two-decade-long history of the Premier League has well and truly cemented itself as the best league in the world. From solid central defenders like John Terry and Rio Ferdinand to prolific forwards like Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, numerous world-class players have plied their trade in the Premier League.
Premier League hasn't been blessed with a lot of CAMs
Although the league has had many renowned central midfielders, attacking midfield is where the Premier League struggles to provide tons of brilliant players. However, the 2010s brought a change. Nimble-footed creative midfielders were a prerequisite for every top side in the league. On that note, here are the five greatest central attacking midfielders of the Premier League era:
Honorable mention: Juan Mata is a central attacking midfielder (CAM) who ran the show for his side in the attacking third. The Spanish wizard bags an honorable mention for contributing 51 goals and 64 assists during his time at Chelsea and Manchester United.
#5 Bruno Fernandes
Matches: 62, Goals: 30, Assists: 22, Contributions: 52, C/M Ratio: 0.838
Bruno Fernandes not only keeps Juan Mata on Manchester United’s bench but also ensures that the Spaniard doesn’t make this list. The Portuguese magnifico has taken the league by storm ever since he arrived at Old Trafford in 2020.
Fernandes has provided 52 goals and assists in just 62 matches for the Red Devils. Based on goal contributions per match, Bruno will top this list. However, he lags behind other players when it comes to longevity and legacy. Hence, it is unfair to compare him to the other players solely on the C/M ratio.
Moreover, the former Sporting CP talisman is the only designated penalty taker on this list, which acts as a disadvantage for him in this list. With that being said, Bruno’s stock will only rise if he maintains his performance levels for a few more years.
#4 Mesut Ozil
Matches: 184, Goals: 33, Assists: 54, Contributions: 87, C/M Ratio: 0.472
Mesut Ozil will always be remembered for his ability to create a chance out of nothing. The creative German midfielder was the assist king at the Santiago Bernabeu before signing for Arsenal for £36 million in 2013.
Although he was more consistent at Real Madrid, Ozil also had a few stellar seasons with Arsenal. In 2015-16, the then Arsenal number 11 provided 19 assists and almost broke the all-time Premier League assist record.
During his eight-year stay in north London, Ozil was involved in several goals that involved slick build-up play. As his C/M ratio is the lowest among the five players on the list, he doesn’t earn a podium finish among the greatest central attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
#3 Philippe Coutinho
Matches: 152, Goals: 41, Assists: 35, Contributions: 76, C/M Ratio: 0.5
It is pretty close between Coutinho and Ozil regarding their time in the Premier League, but the Brazilian playmaker edges it slightly. During his stay in the Premier League, Coutinho provided magical moments regularly.
There’s a reason Barcelona broke the bank to sign the former Liverpool number 10. Coutinho was equally adept at scoring goals and creating chances for others. His most fruitful Premier League campaign for the Jurgen Klopp-coached unit came in 2016-17, as he notched up 13 goals and 7 assists.
Overall, Coutinho scored 41 goals and recorded 35 assists in the Premier League for Liverpool. His 0.5 C/M ratio in the league has not been bettered by any CAM to have played more than 100 games.
#2 Christian Eriksen
Matches: 226, Goals: 51, Assists: 62, Contributions: 113, C/M Ratio: 0.5
Christian Eriksen was an absolute star for Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino. The Danish superstar made a name for himself at White Hart Lane by being the perfect right-hand man for Harry Kane. He aggregated 113 goals and assists in 226 matches for the north London club.
Eriksen was a creative specimen like no other, producing 10 plus assists in four consecutive seasons ranging from 2015-16 to 2018-19. Fans will also have fond memories of Eriksen scoring gorgeous freekicks.
Although he won Serie A with Inter Milan, Eriksen hasn’t recaptured his form since his move away from Tottenham. He has missed the last few months of football due to a heart condition. With that being said, he is still one of the best CAMs in the history of the Premier League.
#1 David Silva
Matches: 309, Goals: 60, Assists: 93, Contributions: 153, C/M Ratio: 0.495
There are no prizes for guessing who bags the first spot on this list. David Silva dominates almost every statistical category when it comes to central attacking midfielders in the Premier League. He has scored the most goals and provided the most assists among all Premier League CAMs.
Silva also earns cookie points for turning up 309 times for Manchester City in the league. Unlike all four players on this list, Silva has won the Premier League (not once, but four times). His C/M ratio is a shade below the likes of Eriksen and Coutinho.
Notably, the Spaniard was at his creative best in 2011-12, and he assisted 17 times that season. The assist-connoisseur recorded 10 or more assists in seven different seasons. The 35-year-old also scored 60 league goals while representing the blue half of Manchester.
