The Premier League currently fields an unusually deep pool of midfield talent, spread across the traditional powers and beyond. Below is a concise assessment of the players outlined in the original draft, concentrating on roles, recent form and defining attributes.

Xavi Simons arrived at Tottenham Hotspur last summer from RB Leipzig and is still adapting to English football. The Netherlands international has shown glimpses of his creative brilliance. A versatile attacking midfielder, Simons excels in small spaces, using a low centre of gravity and a quick turn of pace to influence play around the penalty area.

Martin Ødegaard remains one of the division’s top midfielders despite a dip in stock over the past year due to injuries and questions over his long-term role. The Arsenal captain is often deployed into the wide right space by the system, but he has built a strong relationship with Bukayo Saka. He may be better suited to a traditional attacking midfield role where his playmaking and left foot are most threatening.

Bruno Guimarães has been a model of consistency since joining Newcastle United in 2022. An all-action presence, he combines tackles, accurate diagonals and timely goals with a tireless work rate, forming a central trio with Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.

Martín Zubimendi turned down Liverpool in summer 2024 before joining Arsenal. The Spaniard has adapted quickly, offering defensive midfield control through a blend of ferocity and finesse.

Sandro Tonali returned from a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules and has repaid Newcastle’s faith since early in the 2024–25 season. He contributes goals, tempo, ball carrying and accurate distribution, backed by tenacity.

Dominik Szoboszlai impressed Liverpool supporters with spectacular strikes on arrival but has been noted for his work ethic. Used across midfield and even at right back, he is valued for stamina, clean ball striking and passing range.

Enzo Fernández required time to settle at Chelsea but now matches the expectations of his £107 million transfer fee, offering box-crashing runs and chances from both deeper and more advanced positions.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, has been hampered by injuries and missed nearly all of 2024–25. On form he remains one of the best defensive midfielders, a calming, intelligent presence essential to Manchester City.

Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United’s standout player in recent years, producing double-digit goals and assists in each of his five full seasons at the club with exceptional touch and vision.

Alexis Mac Allister rose to prominence at Brighton & Hove Albion, claimed the World Cup while representing the Seagulls, and has since become Liverpool’s deep-lying playmaker.

Cole Palmer, a Manchester City academy product, emerged at Chelsea as a talisman after a breakthrough debut season in 2023–24 and is described as a generational talent.

Florian Wirtz has had a subdued start since his £116 million move to Liverpool but previously spearheaded Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double in 2023–24 and is expected to improve.

Ryan Gravenberch was redeployed into a combative defensive midfield role under Arne Slot in 2024–25, playing a key part in Liverpool’s title and winning the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.

Declan Rice, acquired for £105 million, has transformed Arsenal’s midfield. Effective as a holding player and in a box-to-box role, he contributes goals, assists and set-piece delivery and is viewed as a complete midfielder.

Manchester United claimed a third consecutive Premier League victory after a turbulent 4-2 success over Brighton & Hove Albion. The match swung several times, but Bryan Mbeumo’s second goal in stoppage time ensured all three points for the Red Devils.

Matheus Cunha opened the scoring before the interval after being picked out by Casemiro, a composed finish that eased early nerves. United then profited from Brighton’s loose possession: Casemiro’s long-range attempt took a heavy deflection off Yasin Ayari to find the net and stretch the lead. Benjamin Šeško squandered a clear chance just before half-time, rifling over from close range.

The visitors started the second half under pressure and United finally made the game safe after the hour. Šeško fizzed a pass into Mbeumo, who cut inside and finished low into the near post for his first of the afternoon. Brighton responded through Danny Welbeck, whose free kick beat Senne Lammens with 15 minutes remaining and shifted the momentum. A stoppage-time header from Charalampos Kostoulas then reduced the deficit, but Mbeumo’s 97th-minute close-range finish completed his brace and confirmed the result.

Player ratings reflected several strong performances. Bryan Mbeumo led the way with a 9.3 for his two goals and constant threat in the final third. Casemiro earned an 8.6 after a goal and an assist and strong midfield protection. Matheus Cunha was rated 8.4 for his opener and influence in attack. Bruno Fernandes received an 8.1 for his role as a deep-lying playmaker. Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot each scored 7.4 for industrious displays, while Benjamin Šeško was given 7.6. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was marked 6.4 after a typically commanding outing that nonetheless included two late goals conceded.

Substitutes who featured included Ayden Heaven (7.2), Kobbie Mainoo (6.6) and Patrick Dorgu (6.3); Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte were introduced late and listed N/A. Unused substitutes included Altay Bayındır, Noussair Mazraoui, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount.

Match statistics showed United with 43% possession to Brighton’s 57%, expected goals of 1.13 to 1.07, and a shots count of 13 to 17, reflecting a tight but decisive home victory for the Red Devils.

Ruben Amorim gave a terse reply to Arne Slot’s recent comments, cutting through the noise ahead of Manchester United’s home match with Brighton & Hove Albion. When pressed on Slot’s remarks at Friday’s press conference, Amorim responded simply: “I don’t care.”

He elaborated on his view of external criticism in the same briefing. “I don’t care what Slot is saying, what people are saying about our team,” he huffed during Friday’s press conference. “I can watch the game and say we can do better and we need to do better in the future but sometimes you need to adapt to the game.”

United goalkeeper Senne Lammens had previously highlighted the team’s tactical adjustment against Liverpool, noting that the Red Devils played long to avoid being smothered by Liverpool’s high press, an approach that delivered the desired result after the famous Anfield victory.

Amorim left little room for outside analysis of his squad. “I don’t need anyone to evaluate my team,” Amorim added before turning his attention to the visit from Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. “I can evaluate my team and I am really clear that we should play better with the ball and we are going to try to do that in this game.”

Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler has been studying United’s responses and is preparing his side for a similar long-ball strategy. “The main thing you need to understand is that it starts with the press, how you attack the goalkeeper, which centre back you want to attack,” Hürzeler explained to Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford. “And then make sure that you’re ready for the long ball.

“When the long ball is played, there are two things that are very important: that you try to win the second ball, and that, if you don’t win the second ball, you have good positioning for the third ball.

“Make sure that, with your last line, you always cover the inner line, so when they try to flick the ball, especially with [Benjamin] Šeško, you can defend against the deep runs from [Matheus] Cunha, from [Bryan] Mbeumo, from [Mason] Mount.

“They are very good at these things, so it’s a job for the whole team, not only of the defensive players. The main thing is to keep the compactness, make sure you have close distances, that you close the gaps, and that you’re really intense for the second ball.”

Meanwhile, Arne Slot’s public tone has come under scrutiny amid Liverpool’s poor run of form. Slot’s comment calling Newcastle United a “smaller club” while discussing Alexander Isak’s recovery was deflected by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “I don’t think that’s wise for me to get involved in those discussions,” Howe replied. “Alex is no longer at this football club, so I won’t comment on it.”

When reminded of Newcastle’s position in the Champions League phase and their ambitions, Howe added: “The set-up is here is very good. It is not perfect, we’ve got things to improve and to grow. But the owners here have developed the facilities since I’ve been here very, very well. ]