Serie A

A GUIDE TO THE BEST MIDFIELDERS OF THE SEASON

The brilliant season from Calhanoglu saw the Turkish midfielder win MVP for his position, the fourth in a row for Inter. Hakan leads the line of midfielders racking up extraordinary numbers with Gudmundsson, Pulisic and Koopmeiners

Hakan Calhanoglu adds to the Bastoni win for defenders and walks away with the MVP – Best Midfielder Serie A TIM 2023/24 award.

The Nerazzurri number 20 slotted perfectly into his new role as a playmaker carved out by Inzaghi, havng his best season at Inter so far. The Turkish National team captain was a constant in the midfielder – third in the rankings for passes with 1986 successful of the 2147 attempted an accuracy rate of 92% - his best figures yet. Calhanoglu also bagged 13 goals this season and to find the Inter midfielder to have scored more in a single Serie A season, we would have to go back to Lothar Matthäus (16 in 1990/91). The Turkish player’s tally was racked up with thanks to the spot from which he converted 10 of the 10 penalties he took, making him the best penalty taker in the top 5 European leagues. The ex-Milan player topped off his season with 3 goals from open play, two of which came in a brilliant brace scored in the space of 4 minutes against Torino, and 3 assists. Calhanoglu’s success reaffirms the Inter nomination of the Lega MVP Best Midfielder category, succeeding: Sergej Milinković-Savić (2018/19), Alejandro Gómez (2019-2020), Nicolò Barella (2020-2021), Marcelo Brozović (2021-2022) and again Nicolò Barella (2022/23).

Albert Gudmundsson is the highest scoring midfielder this season – 4 penalties and 10 goals for a total of 14. The Icelandic star didn’t stumble with the step up, shining like never before in his first full season in the top flight: of the players to have scored at least 10 goals from open play in Serie A 2023/24, the Genoa man boasts the highest scoring rate of the whole competition (25%). The outstanding performance in front of goal from the ex-AZ Alkmaar player is unrivalled in the last 10 years for the Gifrone, given the last Rossoblù player to do better in a single season was his current coach, Alberto Gilardino in 2013/14 (15). Gudmundsson has shown himself to be lethal up front, managing to score in all sorts of ways and both feet, three with his left, six with his right and one directly from a free kick against Bologna. The 4 assists and 81 chances created this season (second in the rankings) paint a picture of a total midfielder, capable of being the epicentre of the offensive creation of his side.

Christian Pulisic is the midfielder with the most goal contributions this season with a total of 20, 12 goals and 8 assists. “Captain America” is the first AC Milan midfielder to have racked up numbers of the sort in a single season since Kakà in 2008/09 (25). The USA international hasn’t been struggled with a new league, demonstrating his strength across the whole season under Pioli and setting his career record for goals scored in a single season in tohe top 5 European leagues. Pulisic knew how to light up the Rossoneri fans with top-level plays and brilliant goals, like the rocket in the debut game against Bologna, the two against Monza and Lecce and the gem against Frosinone after picking up a distribution from Maignan.

On 12 goals we also find Teun Koopmeiners, the Atalanta midfielder made his presence up front known in the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa, contributing three goals to the Bergamaschi campaign for the final. The last Dutch player to score more in a single Serie A season was Ruud Gullit in 1993/94 (15 goals for Sampdoria). Koopmeiners is also the midfielder who has scored the most away from home this season (10 goals), demonstrating his devastating skill when he finds himself in space. The Dea number 7’s stats reflect a top-level up-front performance with 12 goals scored of the 20 shots on target and an xG of 9.9. As well as fine displays, like with the wonderful free kick against Genoa, Teun boats good numbers of assists (5), recoveries made and kilometers run.

Following these four giants of Italian football, we find other midfielders who have put themselves in the spotlight in terms of goal contributions.

Matías Soulé is the youngest player to have scored at least 10 goals in the league. The 2003-born Argentinian player bagged 11 goals this season, 5 of which from penalties, and 3 assists, becoming the first Frosinone player to reach double figures for goals in a Serie A season. The Ciociari trequartista is also the player who has completed the most dribbles (102) and created the most chances for his teammates (82) in Serie A TIM 2023/24.

The Roma captain and Azzurri number 10 Lorenzo Pellegrini has scored 8 goals this season, only having done better in 2021/22 when he bagged 9. The same goes for Giacomo Bonaventura, the veteran player at Fiorentina who equalled his record for goals in a single season (8 in 2017/18 for AC Milan). Henrikh Mkhitaryan, finally, is the midfielder to have provided the most assists (8) together with Pulisic. Examining the statistics that show a higher defensive disposition of the midfielder, a mention must go to two more players who have made this undercover work their defining characteristic. Genoa player Morten Frendrup is the player who has won the most tackles this Serie A season: 72, 22 more than anyone else. Moreover, of the midfielders, the 2001-born player has made the most tackles made this tournament (51). The Dane has picked up 37 appearances this season with 5 assists and 2 goals, bagging his first in the top flight against Napoli. Udinese captain, Walace, has made the most ball recoveries of any player in the top 5 European leagues in 2023/24 (276), becoming a source of inspiration for his teammates in the fight for survival. (Photo Getty Images)