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

Rumor Transfer MarketLeipzig updates: RB find replacement for Henrichs, new loan locale for Silva secured
Rumor Weder BremenBremen prepare to shop Deman: "Olivier is unhappy with the situation."
Rumor Freiburg & St. PauliKicker Report: Freiburg's Weißhaupt opts to join St. Pauli on loan
Other Mainz & DortmundGroß and Amiri draw two-match bans
Transfer Holstein KielOfficial: Kiel sign Zec
Toplist BundesligaTop 10 Bundesliga players out of contract in the summer of 2025
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga team of the season so far
FC Bayern Bayern youngster not keen on loan move in January
FC AugsburgAugsburg boss backs Thorup after Kiel drubbing
Eintracht & DortmundCollins reflects on decision to leave Dortmund for Eintracht
Bayer 04 LeverkusenRobert Andrich: "Old-fashioned" Alonso doesn't like my changing hairstyles
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 15
TSG HoffenheimBischof to consider future over Christmas amid Bayern links

Table

Kickfieber

Match days

Other Mainz & DortmundGroß and Amiri draw two-match bans
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 15
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 15Five minute flurry sees 10-man Dortmund past Wolfsburg
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 15Bochum's first-half blitz secures victory over Heidenheim
Post-match reaction Freiburg & Leverkusen Beaten Freiburg left in awe of Wirtz
Post-match reaction Frankfurt & MainzKoch reflects on loss and backs Santos: "Never experienced a match like that in my career."
Post-match reaction Holstein KielPorath and Harres reflect on "surreal" Kiel performance
Post-match reaction Union BerlinHeldt declines to back Svensson after latest Union loss
Match report Bayer 04 LeverkusenFour Schick goals and four Wirtz scorer points: Leverkusen cap sensational 2024
Post-match reaction FC AugsburgThorup and Tietz rage after Augsburg bellyflop: "Abysmal and catastrophic."
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 1515:30 Kickoffs: Mainz, Kiel, and St. Pauli all deliver upset wins
Preview Wolfsburg, Borussia DortmundWolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund preview: BVB look to end winless run
Rumor RB LeipzigKicker Report: Henrichs set for immediate surgery after horror injury
Post-match reaction Bayern & LeipzigKompany, Rose, and Dreesen react to Magdeburg attack: "Hard to focus on football."
Match report Bayern & RB LeipzigBayern round off 2024 in style with clear win over Leipzig
Bayern & LeipzigConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig
Preview Werder Bremen, Union BerlinWerder Bremen vs Union Berlin preview: Grün-Weißen look to continue winning run
Eintracht Frankfurt Tuta remains sidelined against Mainz, confirms Toppmöller
Preview Hoffenheim, Borussia MönchengladbachHoffenheim vs Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Hosts look to create breathing room
Preview Eintarcht Frankfurt, MainzEintracht Frankfurt vs Mainz preview: Frankfurt look for a response
Borussia DortmundSahin confirms duo's return, gives Ryerson update
FC BayernBayern duo miss final training session before Leipzig clash
Union BerlinVertessen named as possible replacement for injured Jeong against Werder
VfB StuttgartKeitel expected to replace ill Karazor against St. Pauli
RB LeipzigLeipzig updates: Raum to return to squad, Bayern game comes too soon for Xavi

German Teams in Europe

FC HeidenheimUEFA Conference League knockout phase play-off draw: Heidenheim discover opponents
Match report Eintracht FrankfurtLyon overpower Frankfurt, Toppmöller ejected
Match report UEFA Europa LeagueA night of inaccuracies blights Hoffenheim in Steaua stalemate
Match report UEFA Conference LeagueFeeble start costs Heidenheim in Istanbul
Other Europa League Confirmed Lineups: Lyon vs. Frankfurt
Preview Europa League Olympique Lyon vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Europa League Hoffenheim vs. FCSB preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Conference League Başakşehir vs. Heidenheim preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Match report Borussia Dortmund Dortmund undone by Torres brace as Barcelona edge five-goal show
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart's European dream lives following historic performance
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona
Other VfB StuttgartConfirmed Lineups: Stuttgart vs. Young Boys Bern
Post-match reaction RB LeipzigBaumgartner reflects on Leipzig's Champions League exit: "Haven't been good enough to qualify"
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenAlonso sings Mukiele's praises after winner
Post-match reaction BayernKompany on Müller's banter: "My German sense of humor isn't totally there yet."
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany reacts to Bayern's win over Shakhtar
Match report RB LeipzigAston Villa decide RB Leipzig's European fate with latest defeat
Match report Bayer 04 LeverkusenLeverkusen battle to victory over Inter Milan as Mukiele nets dramatic winner
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich
Preview VfB StuttgartStuttgart vs. Young Boys preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview RB LeipzigRB Leipzig vs. Aston Villa preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bayer 04 LeverkusenBayer Leverkusen vs. Inter preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Other VfB StuttgartWehrle offers graphic details on treatment of Stuttgart supporters in Serbia
Preview FC BayernShakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups

DFB-Pokal

DFB-Pokal DFB-Pokal quarter-finals confirmed
Match report DFB POKALAugsburg squeeze past Karlsruhe in penalty shootout win
Match report DFB POKALRB Leipzig overcome poor form in win vs Frankfurt
Match report DFB POKALLjubicic penalty sees Köln past Hertha Berlin
Match report DFB POKALIn-form Wolfsburg dominant in win vs Hoffenheim
FC BayernKroos supports Neuer after red card: "Stop apologizing!"
Preview DFB POKALWolfsburg vs. Hoffenheim preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso on Schick's injury: "It doesn't look good"
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenTella all smiles after scoring Leverkusen's winner against Bayern
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany disappointed after defeat to Leverkusen: "It's very, very bitter"
Post-match reaction FC BayernNeuer apologizes for "decisive" red card
Match report DfB PokalJung the hero as Bremen extinguish Darmstadt's Pokal dreams
Match report Bayern & LeverkusenNeuer sees red as Leverkusen dump Bayern out of DFB-Pokal
Match report DfB PokalThird tier Arminia Bielefeld stun Freiburg to advance into quarters
Match report DfB PokalStuttgart swat Regensburg aside to reach Pokal last-eight
Bayern & LeverkusenConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Preview DFB POKALRB Leipzig vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
VfB StuttgartBredlow set for rare Stuttgart start
Leverkusen & BayernXabi Alonso explains why Kane's absence is not just an advantage for Leverkusen
Preview Bayern & LeverkusenBayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernKompany gives fresh update on Kane injury, discusses possible replacements
Other Bayern & LeverkusenOfficial: Kane out for cup showdown with Leverkusen
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."

German National Team

GladbachKleindienst discusses next step in his career and hopes of making Germany's World Cup squad
Werder BremenNjinmah open to playing for either Germany or Nigeria
Other Wolfsburg & DFBBaku takes the SEAL path: "Discipline is the bridge between goals and their realization."
Post-match reaction Dortmund & DFBBrandt credits DFB training work for set-piece stunner
DFBUEFA Nations League knockout stage and play-off draw: Germany learn opponents
Werder Bremen & DFBZetterer confirms contact with the German Football Association
Rumor DFBReport: DFB in talks with Nagelsmann over new contract
DFBCeltic star reveals dream of playing for Germany at the World Cup in 2026
DFBMusiala and Nagelsmann bemoan Wirtz's "stupid" yellow-card suspension
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann after Hungary draw: "I don't want to talk about the game"
Opinion DFBGermany player ratings against Hungary
Post-match reaction DFB Andrich after Hungary penalty draw: "Where should his hand go?"
Match report DFBGermany U21s conclude undefeated calendar year with draw in France
DFBConfirmed lineups: Hungary vs. Germany
DFBNagelsmann hints at starting spot for "world-class" Sané
DFBNagelsmann confirms plan to rotate heavily against Hungary
Preview DFBHungary vs. Germany preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann and Kleindienst delighted after Bosnia-Herzegovina win
Post-match reaction DFBMusiala reacts to Germany's thumping of Bosnia-Herzegovina: "That was fun!"
Opinion DFBGermany player ratings against Bosnia-Herzegovina
Match report DFBUnstoppable Germany roll over Bosnia-Herzegovina to seal top spot
DFB Confirmed lineups: Germany vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Match report DFBGermany U21s now unbeaten in 12 after victory over Denmark in test fixture
DFBNagelsmann gives update on Wirtz and confirms goalkeeping decision
DFBKleindienst blown away by 'Wusiala': "Sometimes I don't think I'm a fantastic footballer"

Long reads

Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga team of the season so far
Editor's pick TSG HOFFENHEIMChristian Ilzer: A deep dive into Hoffenheim's likely next coach
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

Exclusive interviews

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