Football games are often won or lost in midfield, or so we’re told. Even amid the ever-evolving world of tactics, the midfield remains a pivotal part of any successful side.
Dubbed ‘the engine room’, top teams require their midfielders to be masters of all trades, including beating their direct opponent when it comes to defensive duels.
Liverpool feature highly when it comes to the Premier League midfielders with the best defensive duel success rate in the 2025/26 season so far.
Top of the chart is Ryan Gravenberch, who has emerged as one of Europe’s best number sixes under Arne Slot at Anfield.
Gravenberch has won 79.49% of his defensive duels this season, according to DataMB. It’s perhaps no coincidence that Liverpool’s recent return to form has coincided with the 23-year-old’s own return from injury.
Aston Villa powerhouse Amadou Onana ranks fractionally behind Gravenberch, while Liverpool teammate Curtis Jones completes the top three. Also in the top five is Moises Caicedo, of Chelsea, this week backed to challenge for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
The Premier League midfielders with the highest duel win rate
1. Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool (79.49%)
2. Amadou Onana, Aston Villa (79.42%)
3. Curtis Jones, Liverpool (76.47%)
4. Ethan Ampadu, Leeds United (74.00%)
5. Moises Caicedo, Chelsea (71.93%)
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