Although it can be harder to define what makes a midfielder these days, with wingers often playing as part of a front three or given freedom to roam around upfront, here’s an attempt to list the ten best goalscoring midfield players in Europe this season, featuring Arsenal and Chelsea stars…
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10) David Silva (Manchester City)
Enjoying his best ever season in front of goal, Spanish playmaker David Silva has been a top performer from midfield for Manchester City, scoring 11 Premier League goals to put him 10th on the list of midfielders in Europe this season.
9) Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Narrowly ahead on 12, Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller may not quite be an orthodox midfielder, but often scores his goals from a deeper role, or breaking into the penalty area from out wide, notching up 12 for the campaign so far.
8) Nabil Fekir (Lyon)
Another top class attacking midfielder on 12 goals for the season, Nabil Fekir looks one of the most promising youngsters in Europe this season after some fantastic displays for Ligue 1 giants Lyon.
7) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Another superb goalscoring winger, Chelsea star Eden Hazard also has 12 goals this season as he continues to establish himself as one of the world’s best players.
6) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Another midfielder or winger basically granted the freedom to play as another forward, Gareth Bale has 13 goals this season playing either wide on the left or right-hand side.
5) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
With 14 Premier League goals this season, Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has played some games upfront but generally tends to be a master of scoring from deep, out wide, or almost anywhere.
4) Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
With 15 goals this season, Atletico Madrid winger Antoine Griezman has continued to show the kind of lethal form that saw him become so highly rated at previous club Real Sociedad.
3) Jeremy Menez (AC Milan)
One of the signings of the season, Jeremy Menez joined AC Milan on a free from Paris Saint-Germain after not really being a regular at the French club, but he has scored a superb 16 Serie A goals from the flanks this season.
2) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
A player who typifies the debate over what constitutes a midfielder in the modern game, Lionel Messi doesn’t strictly play as a striker and has often been used wide-right this season, though it hasn’t stopped him scoring a superb 32 La Liga goals.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
In a league of their own, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is narrowly ahead of Messi with 36 goals from the wings, scoring more than most out-and-out strikers could ever dream of.