The 10 best defensive midfielders on the planet: Chelsea man just misses out on top spot

3) Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich)

Okay, Phillip Lahm is mostly at home at full back, but the World Cup winning captain is such an incredibly intelligent and versatile player that, when deployed in defensive midfield, he looks to be a world class performer in that position as well. Metronomic with the ball and unassuming without it, Lahm is one of the finest players of his generation.