By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Best defensive/central midfielders in the Bundesliga of the 2023/24 season so far

Here are the best defensive/central midfielders in the Bundesliga of the 2023/24 season so far, according to Kicker.

Every six months, Kicker publishes a ranking of the best players in the Bundesliga, as well as the best German players abroad, divided into a number of categories.

The German football magazine recently released its winter rankings based on performances in the first half of the 2023/24 season.

Below you'll find the defensive/central midfielder rankings.

World Class:
None.

International Class:
1. Granit Xhaka, Leverkusen
2. Exequiel Palacios, Leverkusen

National class:
3. Leon Goretzka, Bayern
4. Xaver Schlager, RB Leipzig
5. Rocco Reitz, Gladbach
6. Angelo Stiller, Stuttgart
7. Joshua Kimmich, Bayern
8. Anton Stach, Hoffenheim
9. Ellyes Skhiri, Frankfurt
10. Amadou Haidara, RB Leipzig
11. Florian Grillitsch, Hoffenheim
12. Kevin Kampl, RB Leipzig
13. Patrick Osterhage, Bochum
14. Hugo Larsson, Frankfurt

Bundesliga news

RB LeipzigRose acknowledges Leipzig "need to start picking up points" ahead of Celtic clash
Post-match reaction Union BerlinlinSvensson explains Rothe's benching, praises Querfeld's work
Other Bochum & Heidenheim"Filipino Typhoon" Holtmann smashes Conteh's Bundesliga speed record
Post-match reaction Borussia MönchengladbachKleindienst on emerging partnership with Honorat: "Franky knows me by now."
Bayer 04 LeverkusenXhaka looks ahead to Anfield trip: "I know what it's like to play there"
Post-match reaction Eintracht FrankfurtKrösche praises Dahoud's learning curve: "An exceptional footballer getting better and better."
Preview VfB StuttgartStuttgart vs. Atalanta preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction TSG 1899 HoffenheimMatarazzo of Hlozek's form woes: "He needs to read the game."
Bayer 04 LeverkusenRolfes gives fresh update on Terrier ahead of Liverpool trip
Preview FC BayernBayern Munich vs. Benfica preview: Team news and predicted lineups
SC FreiburgFreiburg boss responds to speculation over Doan's future
Post-match reaction Holstein KielRapp on Harres' improbable rise: "Willing to lend him our trust."
VfL BochumBochum confirm new head coach

Table

Match days

Post-match reaction Union BerlinlinSvensson explains Rothe's benching, praises Querfeld's work
Other Bochum & Heidenheim"Filipino Typhoon" Holtmann smashes Conteh's Bundesliga speed record
Post-match reaction Borussia MönchengladbachKleindienst on emerging partnership with Honorat: "Franky knows me by now."
Post-match reaction Eintracht FrankfurtKrösche praises Dahoud's learning curve: "An exceptional footballer getting better and better."
Post-match reaction TSG 1899 HoffenheimMatarazzo of Hlozek's form woes: "He needs to read the game."
Post-match reaction Holstein KielRapp on Harres' improbable rise: "Willing to lend him our trust."
Other FSV Mainz 05Mainz updates: Jenz remains out for two weeks, Bungert reveals Burkardt insisted on playing
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 9
Rumor VfL WolfsburgReport: New injury to sideline Wolfsburg's Majer for at least three weeks
Other Bayer 04 LeverkusenLeverkusen confirm loss of Mukiele through international break
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 9Kleindienst inspired Gladbach brush Bremen aside
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 9Freiburg left frustrated as Mainz take a point in scoreless stalemate
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundBeier reflects on first Dortmund goal: "A big step"
Post-match reaction FC BayernNeuer responds to criticism of his performances
Post-match reaction FC BayernBayern youngster "pleased and proud" after making senior debut
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundSahin laments Dortmund's injury crisis after win
Post-match reaction FC BayernKane on Bayern's 3-0 win over Union: "It wasn't an easy game"
Post-match reaction Holstein KielKiel reflect on first Bundesliga win: "Now we have something to build on."
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 9Sahin's Dortmund brush back crisis talk with statement win over Leipzig
Post-match reaction Eintracht Frankfurt Marmoush on cloud-nine after another SGE win: "We're in the flow."
Post-match reaction VfL BochumHofmann and Holtmann react to Bochum battering: "Unworthy of the Bundesliga."
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 915:30 Kickoffs: Bayern dismantle Union, Frankfurt destroy Bochum, Kiel and St. Pauli both win
Preview Freiburg, MainzFreiburg vs Mainz preview: Hosts in pursuit of Champions League spot
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXhaka disappointed with draw: "Our best performance of the season"
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 9No "Later-kusen" magic for defending champs as Bayer draw yet again

German Teams in Europe

RB LeipzigRose acknowledges Leipzig "need to start picking up points" ahead of Celtic clash
Bayer 04 LeverkusenXhaka looks ahead to Anfield trip: "I know what it's like to play there"
Preview VfB StuttgartStuttgart vs. Atalanta preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenRolfes gives fresh update on Terrier ahead of Liverpool trip
Preview FC BayernBayern Munich vs. Benfica preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Borussia DortmundSahin gives update on injury-hit Dortmund squad ahead of Sturm Graz clash
Preview RB LeipzigCeltic vs. RB Leipzig preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Other Bayern & SchalkeBayern ultra group urges boycott of Donetsk match over ticket prices
Preview Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund vs. Sturm Graz preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bayer 04 LeverkusenLiverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Fantasy Football Champions LeaguePredicted Champions League lineups: How all teams could line up for Matchday 4
Other Champions LeagueCeltic's Kühn ready for next audition against Leipzig
Match report UEFA Conference LeagueMainka leads by example as Heidenheim beat Pafos
Match report UEFA Europa LeaguePorto push Hoffenheim aside in showery conditions
Match report UEFA Europa LeagueRiga frustrate Frankfurt until Larsson leaves his mark
Other Eintracht FrankfurtConfirmed lineups: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Rigas FS
Post-match reaction FC BayernBayern lost confidence against Barcelona, Müller admits
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany: "No excuses" after Bayern's clear loss to Barcelona
Post-match reaction FC BayernKimmich reacts to Barcelona defeat: "It was hara-kiri from us at times"
Match report RB LepizigAnother nearly night as Liverpool's Nuñez sinks Leipzig
Match report FC BayernRaphinha grabs hat-trick as clinical Barcelona punish Bayern
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenAlonso gives bleak injury update on Adli and reacts to Brest draw
Match report Bayer 04 LeverkusenLeverkusen drop points in Brittany with 1-1 draw against Brest
Preview RB LeipzigConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich

DFB-Pokal

Other RB LeipzigLeipzig confirm investigation into alleged Nazi salute in stadium
Other DFB PokalDFB-Pokal draw: Kane receives direct crack at Leverkusen, Leipzig host Frankfurt, Kohfeldt heads back to Bremen
Post-match reaction TSG 1899 HoffenheimTSG praise summer signings Chaves and Tabakovic after win: "We've stabilized."
Other Eintracht FrankfurtDFB confirms two-match cup suspension for Theate
Eintracht FrankfurtMarmoush opens up about spectacular mask celebration
Mainz & Bayern"The referee was wearing a Bayern shirt" – Mainz defender slams officiating after DFB-Pokal defeat
Match report DFB-Pokal20:45 Pokal Kickoffs: Musiala minces Mainz, Bielefeld knock out Union, Hoffenheim advance
Match report DfB PokalDucksch breaks Paderborn hearts as Bremen secure last-16 berth
Match report DfB PokalHertha Berlin spring upset as Heidenheim's Pokal dreams end in controversy
Match report DfB PokalFreiburg's first-half surge sees off HSV
Match report DfB PokalMarmoush the joker as 10-man Frankfurt eliminate Gladbach
Mainz & BayernNadiem Amiri: "You definitely have respect for Bayern again"
Post-match reaction FC AugsburgDahmen after successful 2024/25 debut: "I showed the coach he can count on me."
Post-match reaction VfB StuttgartFührich comments on 2024/25 form: "I haven't met my standards."
Post-match reaction RB LeipzigBaumgartner on Leipzig success despite injuries: "All this crap has brought us closer together."
Match report DFB POKALWind's late winner secures Wolfsburg win vs Dortmund
Match report DFB POKALStuttgart see off Kaiserslautern, Köln ease past Kiel and Regensburg survive red card
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenRolfes critical of Leverkusen's performance despite 3-0 win
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenAleix Garcia eager for more minutes after scoring in the cup
Preview Eintracht & GladbachEintracht Frankfurt vs. Gladbach preview: Team news and predicted lineups
MainzHenriksen and Mainz not "afraid" of Bayern
Match report DfB PokalAugsburg advance past Schalke, Karlsruhe eliminate Kickers Offenbach
Match report DfB PokalLeipzig see off St.Pauli in six-goal Pokal thriller
Match report DfB PokalLeverkusen make light work of Elversberg
Other Eintracht FrankfurtToppmöller draws comparison to Özil in explaining Chaibi's form dip: "A matter of body language."

German National Team

Other Stuttgart & DFBConfirmed: Leweling out for international break with thigh injury
Post-match reaction DFB-FrauenGwinn's reveals Popp's final words after passing on captaincy: "She said 'Have fun with the crew'."
Other DFB FrauenWück announces short "symbolic" shift for Popp, two DFB players depart camp injured
Match report DFB FrauenGerman women prevail over England in seven-goal-thriller at Wembley
DFB FrauenChristian Wück's full German women's squad for October friendlies
Other DFB FrauenWück speaks on scouting, systems, and personal coaching journey ahead of Wembley debut
Other DFBFormer Germany U21 captain denies reports of Cameroon switch
Match report DFBGermany U21s complete undefeated qualifying campaign, yet still blow lead in draw with Poland
DFB Nagelsmann reveals why Wirtz was taken off at half-time against the Netherlands
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann shares thoughts on win over Netherlands: "It's deserved"
Post-match reaction DFBBaumann "happy, proud and thankful" after his Germany debut
Post-match reaction DFBLeweling modest after scoring debut winner for Germany: "Happy I could help"
Post-match reaction DFBKimmich praises "outstanding" Leweling after win over Netherlands
Match report DFBLeweling's debut goal sends Germany into Nations League quarter-finals
DFBUndav to miss out against the Netherlands with injury
DFBConfirmed lineups: Germany vs. Netherlands
DFBNagelsmann speaks on possibility of remaining Germany coach beyond 2026
DFBAngelo Stiller set for first Germany start on Monday
DFBPavlovic in contention to start against Netherlands after returning from injury
Preview DFBGermany vs. Netherlands preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Other Stuttgart & DFBConfirmed: Adductor tear to sideline Führich for two to three weeks
Other Bayern, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, & DFBNübel reveals Baumann will stand in goal against the Netherlands
Post-match reaction Köln, Regensburg, & DFBMartel on clinching Euro qualification at old academy ground: "I used to be the ball boy here."
Post-match reaction Bayern & DFB Kimmich thanks Bosnia-Herzegovina fans for warm reception in Nations League duel
Other Bayern, Stuttgart, & DFBPavlovic and Führich questionable for Monday after sustaining injuries in Friday win

Long reads

Editor's pick FC BAYERNThe secrets behind Vincent Kompany's brilliant start as Bayern Munich's head coach
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenThe world’s worst restart: Naby Keïta’s disastrous one-year spell at Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 3
Analysis/Commentary VfL Bochum‘The Unrelegatables’: How Peter Zeidler’s tactics can secure VfL Bochum’s Bundesliga status
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against the Netherlands
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgSC Freiburg analysis – Perfect response and jubilant mood on opening day
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga Matchday 1"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 1 (New transfers edition)
Analysis/Commentary FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: A guide to the new rules for the 2024/25 season
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenHow Bayer Leverkusen could line up for the 2024/25 season
Analysis/Commentary FC BayernHow Bayern could line up for the 2024/25 season
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Denmark
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Switzerland
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Hungary
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Scotland
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaShould the Bundesliga relegation/promotion tie be scrapped?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Season
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 34
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga Matchday 34"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 34
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 33
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 33
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 32
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 32
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 31
Analysis/Commentary BayernBayern Munich player ratings against Real Madrid
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 31

Exclusive interviews

Interview SC Freiburg vs VfB StuttgartFreiburg vs Stuttgart - Reactions from the fan scene
Interview BundesligaEXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen talks Kane, Musiala, Sancho and looks back on famous hat-trick against Germany
Editor's pick Bundesliga & DFBEXCLUSIVE: Dietmar Hamann on the Bundesliga title fight, Der Klassiker and Nagelsmann's start as Germany coach
Editor's pick MainzEXCLUSIVE: Danny da Costa rules out future coaching job
Interview Bayer LeverkusenEXCLUSIVE: Edmond Tapsoba on England links, his role models and Leverkusen's struggles this season
Interview Bundesliga InterviewEXCLUSIVE: From infancy to Eisernen - An Interview with Union Berlin’s rising star Laurenz Dehl
Editor's pick LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview – part two: Leverkusen boss points out "problem" with German youth development
Editor's pick LeverkusenFernando Carro interview: Bayer Leverkusen CEO says Bundesliga rights are “sold under value”, questions 50+1 rule
Editor's pick Bayer 04 LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview: Leverkusen boss on global scouting, Frimpong’s “fantastic” rise and more
Editor's pick WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Jonas Wind on Wolfsburg's poor start, Niko Kovac, his dream club and more
Editor's pick EXCLUSIVE: Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind gives injury update, shares thoughts on ...
Editor's pick DortmundEXCLUSIVE: Ex-BVB star and agent Niclas Jensen on life on and off the pitch and why Bielefeld's Bello is one to watch
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach's Joe Scally on first United States call-up and World Cup chances
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach and USMNT defender Joe Scally on his rise to stardom and season so far

Team News

Champions League - Celtic - RB LeipzigChampions League - Dortmund - Sturm GrazChampions League - Liverpool - LeverkusenChampions League - FC Bayern - BenficaChampions League - Stuttgart - Atalanta