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.
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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

Post-match reaction Mainz 05Stefan Bell: "It was a fast-paced, energetic game from start to finish"
VfL WolfsburgWolfsburg sack Hasenhüttl
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 32Frankfurt and Mainz inseparable as Burkardt equaliser smashes record
Bayern MunichKompany eager for "special moment" with fans at trophy ceremony next Saturday
Bayern MunichBayern bosses hail players and Kompany for achieving "most important goal"
Post-match reaction Bayer LeverkusenAlonso and Xhaka congratulate Bayern on "deserved" title triumph
Bayern MunichBayern players celebrate, Müller extends record and DFL confirm trophy presentation date
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 32Leverkusen and Freiburg ends in stalemate to crown Bayern champions
Post-match reaction Holstein KielBernhardsson and Dähne "proud" of gutsy win over Augsburg
Rumor Bayern MunichGroßkreutz leaks potential Müller transfer destination
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 32Kiel stun Augsburg to reignite survival hopes
Bayern MunichBayern champions party lined up should Leverkusen fail to win today
Borussia DortmundGroß on his special turn: "If you're not the fastest, you have to buy yourself time"

Table

Bundesliga

Regular Season

#TeamP
1 FC Bayern76
2 Leverkusen68
3 Frankfurt56
4 Freiburg52
5 Dortmund51
6 RB Leipzig50
7 Mainz 0548
8 Bremen47
9 Gladbach45
10 Stuttgart44
11 Augsburg43
12 Wolfsburg39
13 Union Berlin37
14 St. Pauli31
15 Hoffenheim31
16 Heidenheim26
17 Holstein Kiel25
18 Bochum22
View full table
Kickfieber

Match days

Post-match reaction Mainz 05Stefan Bell: "It was a fast-paced, energetic game from start to finish"
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 32Frankfurt and Mainz inseparable as Burkardt equaliser smashes record
Bayern MunichKompany eager for "special moment" with fans at trophy ceremony next Saturday
Bayern MunichBayern bosses hail players and Kompany for achieving "most important goal"
Bayern MunichBayern players celebrate, Müller extends record and DFL confirm trophy presentation date
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 32Leverkusen and Freiburg ends in stalemate to crown Bayern champions
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 32Kiel stun Augsburg to reignite survival hopes
Preview Augsburg & Holstein KielAugsburg vs. Holstein Kiel preview: Augsburg looking for revenge
Match report Heidenheim, BochumKevin Müller’s serious injury casts shadow over relegation six-pointer
Preview St. Pauli & StuttgartSt. Pauli vs. VfB Stuttgart preview: Hosts look to secure survival
Preview RB Leipzig & FC Bayern RB Leipzig vs. Bayern München preview: Rekordmeister aim to claim back Meisterschale
Preview Gladbach & HoffenheimBorussia Mönchengladbach vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: Fohlenelf look to get back on form
Preview Heidenheim & BochumFC Heidenheim vs. VfL Bochum preview: Strugglers go head to head for survival
Rumor FC BayernNeuer expected to return against RB Leipzig
Team of the week Bundesliga Bundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 31
Post-match reaction Union BerlinBaumgart gives update on Leite
Post-match reaction Werder BremenWerner not satisfied with home draw
Match report Werder Bremen & St. PauliBremen and St. Pauli play out stalemate
Post-match reaction Borussia MönchengladbachKleindienst explodes in anger after loss in Kiel
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundDortmund believe in Champions League push after Hoffenheim win
Match report Kiel, GladbachKiel victorious in seven-goal thriller against Gladbach
Post-match reaction Hoffenheim & DortmundIlzer slams "scandalous" refereeing decision after Hoffenheim's loss to Dortmund
Match report Freiburg, WolfsburgFreiburg in Champions League territory after win over ten-man Wolfsburg
Post-match reaction FC BayernKane fumes after yellow card rules him out of potential title decider
Match report Dortmund, HoffenheimDortmund boost Champions League hopes with dramatic win

German Teams in Europe

DFBRüdiger's injury puts Nations League Final Four participation with Germany in doubt
Match report Eintracht FrankfurtPenalty decision kicks the last German team out of Europe
Post-match reaction FC Bayern Kompany on Bayern’s Champions League exit: “We did enough to win”
Match report FC BayernDraw ends Bayern’s Champions League hopes as Inter move on to semi-finals
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Inter vs. Bayern Munich
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovač ushers players to build on latest performance: "We have to draw strength from this game"
Post-match reaction Borussia Dortmund"We are out because of the away game" - Groß pins BVB elimination on first-leg disaster
Match report UEFA Champions LeagueBarcelona book semi-final berth despite Dortmund's gallant battle
FC BayernKane demands better finishing as Bayern aim to turn around Inter deficit
FC BayernKompany addresses criticism of Kim Min-jae ahead of Inter showdown
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed Lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund Dortmund travel to team hotel without duo ahead of Barcelona clash
Dortmund & BayernPredicted Champions League lineups: How all teams could line up for the quarter-final second legs
Preview FC BayernInter vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayern MunichNo return for Neuer against Inter as Urbig retains keeper duties
Rumor Borussia DortmundDortmund midfielder set for snub against Barcelona, Sky reports
Preview Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernNeuer expected to miss Bayern's Champions League return leg against Inter
Match report Europa LeagueSantos secures important draw for Frankfurt against Tottenham
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac reacts to crushing 4-0 defeat: "We need to defend together"
Borussia DortmundAdeyemi slams "embarrassing" Dortmund performance against Barcelona
Match report UEFA Champions LeagueBVB blown away by bullish Barcelona
Borussia DortmundConfirmed lineups: FC Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund
Preview Eintracht FrankfurtTottenham vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany: "We still fully believe in our chances"

DFB-Pokal

VfB StuttgartWoltemade on reaching the DFB-Pokal final: "One of the best moments of my career"
Match report VfB Stuttgart & RB Leipzig Stuttgart book their place in DFB-Pokal final
VfB Stuttgart & RB Leipzig Confirmed lineups: VfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldWhat happens if Arminia Bielefeld win the DFB-Pokal?
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso admits Leverkusen deserved to lose to Bielefeld: "Almost nothing worked"
Post-match reaction Arminia BielefeldArminia Bielefeld coach on sensational semi-final win over Leverkusen: "No one will be sleeping tonight"
Bayer 04 LeverkusenAndrich self-critical after Leverkusen's cup exit: "By far our worst game of the season"
Match report DFB-PokalArminia Bielefeld shock Leverkusen to reach first DFB-Pokal final in club history
DFB-PokalConfirmed lineups: Arminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Preview Stuttgart & RB LeipzigVfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenAlonso gives update on Tella, Wirtz and Tapsoba ahead of Bielefeld clash
Preview Bielefeld & LeverkusenArminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Leverkusen, Bielefeld, Leipzig, StuttgartPokal draw: Leverkusen play third-tier Bielefeld, Leipzig away at Stuttgart
Post-match reaction Leipzig & WolfsburgLeipzig's handball penalty against Wolfsburg sparks debate
Match report RB Leipzig & WolfsburgSesko penalty sees Leipzig book semi-final spot
RB Leipzig & WolfsburgConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs VfL Wolfsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter final
Post-match reaction Werder BremenBittencourt lashes out at Köhn after cup defeat
Post-match reaction Werder BremenWerner reacts to Werder's shocking cup exit: "We missed out on a huge opportunity"
Match report DFB-Pokal Giant-killing continues as Bielefeld roll past Bremen into Pokal final-four
Preview Leipzig & WolfsburgRB Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bielefeld & WerderArminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen preview: Can Bielefeld keep their cup dream alive?
Post-match reaction Köln & LeverkusenKöln defender lashes out at "arrogant" Leverkusen after Pokal defeat
Match report BAYER LEVERKUSENBayer Leverkusen squeeze past Köln into Pokal semis
Bayer LeverkusenAlonso expresses excitement for derby
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart end losing streak to reach Pokal semis

German National Team

German National TeamWaldemar Anton dreams of returning to Germany setup
Other DFBDFB issues statement on Rüdiger behaviour
Rumor Hoffenheim, LeverkusenBundesliga clubs put Wagner on their list
Rumor DFBDFB spot replacement for Sandro Wagner
German National TeamNagelsmann's deal includes release clause valid from 2027
DFBVöller extends contract with DFB
Facts German National TeamGermany's EURO 2024 nets €2.5billion record windfall for UEFA
Post-match reaction DFBGermany boss singles out Kleindienst for praise after Italy draw
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann reacts to Germany's wild 3-3 draw with Italy
Match report German national teamNationalelf secure Nations League semi-final place despite late drama
GermanyConfirmed Lineups: Germany vs. Italy
DFBNagelsmann confirms ter Stegen is still seen as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper
GermanyKleindienst certain to start against Italy
Other GermanyOliver Baumann: "I've always accepted every role”
Preview GermanyJulian Nagelsmann: “We want to write our own history”
Preview DFBGermany vs. Italy preview: Team news and predicted lineups
DFBVöller postpones decision on Germany future
Post-match reaction German National TeamGoretzka jubilant after comeback against Italy: "It feels nice to be back"
Post-match reaction German National Team"Happy with the win and the performance" - Kimmich reflects on victory in Milan
Post-match reaction German National TeamJulian Nagelsmann: "The team showed desire and did everything to win"
Post-match reaction German National TeamGermany player ratings against Italy
Match report German National TeamGoretzka guides Germany to first-leg comeback victory over Italy
Preview German National TeamConfirmed Lineups: Italy vs. Germany
DFBGoretzka earns praise from Nagelsmann amid reports he will start for Germany against Italy
DFBNagelsmann opens up about tight goalkeeping battle

Long reads

Analysis/Commentary BundesligaOpta data rates Freiburg, Dortmund and Leipzig's chances of claiming final Champions League spot
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgThe Freiburg way: The art of football authenticity
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldBelief in Bielefeld: How Pokal underdogs Arminia plotted an historic path to Berlin
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldWhat happens if Arminia Bielefeld win the DFB-Pokal?
Editor's pick MainzWho is the maverick man leading Mainz to the Champions League? – Discovering who Bo Henriksen is by those that knew him
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWhat's going wrong with Werder Bremen?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga European race: The full assessment
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and Andre Silva: A potentially sneaky important move
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 19
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and the potential curse of Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary SV Werder BremenWhy Werder Bremen have made a change at wingback
Analysis/Commentary BayernJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Bayern München
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Analysis/Commentary FC St. Pauli January 2025 Transfer Primer: FC St. Pauli
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: SC Freiburg
Analysis/Commentary 1. FC HeidenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary VfL BochumJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Bochum
Analysis/Commentary Union BerlinJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Union Berlin
Analysis/Commentary Eintracht FrankfurtJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Eintracht Frankfurt
Analysis/Commentary TSG 1899 HoffenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary RB LeipzigJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: RB Leipzig
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MönchengladbachJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Analysis/Commentary VfL WolfsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Wolfsburg
Analysis/Commentary FSV Mainz 05January 2025 Transfer Primer: FSV Mainz 05

Exclusive interviews

Exclusive interview VfL WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Mads Roerslev opens up on injury struggles, Wolfsburg loan so far, future and more
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