Best Defensive Midfielders in the Scottish Premiership (Apr 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: Scottish Premiership Defensive Midfielders 2024-25
Our database tracked 1000 Scottish Premiership Defensive Midfielders in the 2024-25 season, representing 609 clubs with a combined market value of €4.2B. The average market value for Scottish Premiership Defensive Midfielders was €4.2M, with the average age at 27.2 years old.
The most valuable defensive midfielder in the Scottish Premiership was Moisés Caicedo, worth €90.0M and played for Chelsea FC at 24 years old. The top 5 Defensive Midfielders averaged €86.0M in market value, including Ryan Gravenberch and Vitinha.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked defensive midfielder was Marc Bernal (18 years, FC Barcelona, €10.0M), while the oldest was Anthony Losilla (40 years, VfL Bochum, €500K). Research shows Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Historical analysis showed 459 Defensive Midfielders (46%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Scottish Premiership market for Defensive Midfielders remained highly competitive with significant transfer activity in the 2024-25 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in Scottish Premiership
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Scottish Premiership Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 609 clubs with €4.2B combined value.
Age Distribution: Scottish Premiership Defensive Midfielders
The Scottish Premiership CDM market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (289 players, 29% of market). The 24-26 age group holds the most value at €1.4B, averaging €5.5M per player.
Top Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (36 players)
21-23 Years (153 players)
24-26 Years (262 players)
27-29 Years (260 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 100 Defensive Midfielders (10% of players) control €2.5B
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 1% of the Scottish Premiership CDM pool.
Elite (€50M+)
Premium (€30-50M)
High (€15-30M)
Club Distribution: Scottish Premiership Defensive Midfielders
Among 609 Scottish Premiership clubs, Manchester City leads with 3 Defensive Midfielders worth €162.0M (averaging €54.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 2% of tracked Defensive Midfielders.
Manchester City (3 Defensive Midfielders)
Chelsea FC (3 Defensive Midfielders)
Bayern Munich (2 Defensive Midfielders)
Liverpool FC (3 Defensive Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Moisés Caicedo
Chelsea FC • 24 years old
€77.8M
€90.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €100.3M
95.5
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool FC • 23 years old
€64.9M
€75.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €82.6M
94.6
Vitinha
Paris Saint-Germain • 26 years old
€69.2M
€80.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €81.4M
94.5
Rodri
Manchester City • 29 years old
€142.0M
€110.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €100.7M
94.1
Aurélien Tchouaméni
Real Madrid • 26 years old
€64.9M
€75.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €76.3M
94.0
Bruno Guimarães
Newcastle United • 28 years old
€84.5M
€80.0M
-5.4%
Expected: €73.3M
94.0
Martín Zubimendi
Arsenal FC • 27 years old
€51.9M
€60.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €64.3M
91.1
Aleksandar Pavlovic
Bayern Munich • 21 years old
€47.6M
€55.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €65.6M
90.2
Amadou Onana
Aston Villa • 24 years old
€43.2M
€50.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €55.7M
90.1
Morten Hjulmand
Sporting CP • 26 years old
€43.2M
€50.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €50.9M
88.9
Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United • 25 years old
€38.9M
€45.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €48.0M
88.5
Angelo Stiller
VfB Stuttgart • 25 years old
€38.9M
€45.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €48.0M
88.3
Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich • 31 years old
€58.1M
€45.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €39.0M
88.2
Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace • 22 years old
€38.9M
€45.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €51.6M
87.9
Nico González
Manchester City • 24 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €44.6M
87.4
Roméo Lavia
Chelsea FC • 22 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €45.9M
86.6
Carlos Baleba
Brighton & Hove Albion • 22 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €45.9M
86.4
Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa • 26 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €40.7M
86.3
Alan Varela
FC Porto • 24 years old
€27.7M
€32.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €35.7M
84.2
Ardon Jashari
AC Milan • 23 years old
€27.7M
€32.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €35.3M
84.0
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Chelsea FC's Moisés Caicedo at 24 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 75.00×. That means Moisés Caicedo is valued 75.00× higher than the median player in the 24-26 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Liverpool FC's Ryan Gravenberch, who is 23 years old, with a 50.00× PPVE. Third is Amadou Onana of Aston Villa, who is 24 years old with a 41.67× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 75.00× means the player is worth 7400% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Moisés Caicedo Chelsea FC | 24 | 24-26 | €90.0M | €1.2M | 75.00× |
| #2 | Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool FC | 23 | 21-23 | €75.0M | €1.5M | 50.00× |
| #3 | Amadou Onana Aston Villa | 24 | 24-26 | €50.0M | €1.2M | 41.67× |
| #4 | Angelo Stiller VfB Stuttgart | 25 | 24-26 | €45.0M | €1.2M | 37.50× |
| #5 | Manuel Ugarte Manchester United | 25 | 24-26 | €45.0M | €1.2M | 37.50× |
| #6 | Aleksandar Pavlovic Bayern Munich | 21 | 21-23 | €55.0M | €1.5M | 36.67× |
| #7 | Nico González Manchester City | 24 | 24-26 | €40.0M | €1.2M | 33.33× |
| #8 | Adam Wharton Crystal Palace | 22 | 21-23 | €45.0M | €1.5M | 30.00× |
| #9 | Roméo Lavia Chelsea FC | 22 | 21-23 | €40.0M | €1.5M | 26.67× |
| #10 | Alan Varela FC Porto | 24 | 24-26 | €32.0M | €1.2M | 26.67× |
| #11 | Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 21-23 | €40.0M | €1.5M | 26.67× |
| #12 | Nicolò Rovella SS Lazio | 24 | 24-26 | €30.0M | €1.2M | 25.00× |
| #13 | André Wolverhampton Wanderers | 24 | 24-26 | €28.0M | €1.2M | 23.33× |
| #14 | Danilo Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas | 24 | 24-26 | €28.0M | €1.2M | 23.33× |
| #15 | Ardon Jashari AC Milan | 23 | 21-23 | €32.0M | €1.5M | 21.33× |
| #16 | Samuele Ricci AC Milan | 24 | 24-26 | €25.0M | €1.2M | 20.83× |
| #17 | Marc Casadó FC Barcelona | 22 | 21-23 | €30.0M | €1.5M | 20.00× |
| #18 | Richard Ríos SL Benfica | 25 | 24-26 | €22.0M | €1.2M | 18.33× |
| #19 | Billy Gilmour SSC Napoli | 24 | 24-26 | €20.0M | €1.2M | 16.67× |
| #20 | Kaishu Sano 1.FSV Mainz 05 | 25 | 24-26 | €20.0M | €1.2M | 16.67× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal at 18 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +48%. That means Marc Bernal is projected to appreciate 48% as they reach their peak age in 8 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Ajax Amsterdam's Jorthy Mokio, who is 18 years old, with a +48% RPP (8 years to peak). Third is Zé Lucas of Sport Club do Recife, who is 18 years old with a +48% RPP (8 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 48% RPP means the player is expected to gain 48% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marc Bernal FC Barcelona | 18 | 8 | €10.0M | €19.2M | +48% |
| #2 | Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | 18 | 8 | €8.0M | €15.4M | +48% |
| #3 | Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | 18 | 8 | €5.0M | €9.6M | +48% |
| #4 | Eduardo Felicíssimo Sporting CP B | 19 | 7 | €3.0M | €5.4M | +44% |
| #5 | Pape Diong USL Dunkerque | 19 | 7 | €800K | €1.4M | +44% |
| #6 | Bailey Rice Rangers FC | 19 | 7 | €800K | €1.4M | +44% |
| #7 | Leonardo Mendicino AC Reggiana 1919 | 19 | 7 | €800K | €1.4M | +44% |
| #8 | Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | 19 | 7 | €2.5M | €4.5M | +44% |
| #9 | Luca Regiardo CA Newell's Old Boys | 19 | 7 | €500K | €894K | +44% |
| #10 | Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar U21 | 19 | 7 | €500K | €894K | +44% |
| #11 | Camilo Rey Domenech CA Boca Juniors | 20 | 6 | €500K | €831K | +40% |
| #12 | Matías Galindo Club A.B.B. | 20 | 6 | €400K | €665K | +40% |
| #13 | Juan Sebastián Rodríguez CD Tondela | 20 | 6 | €500K | €831K | +40% |
| #14 | Gabriel Moscardo SC Braga | 20 | 6 | €8.0M | €13.3M | +40% |
| #15 | Elías Montiel CF Pachuca | 20 | 6 | €5.5M | €9.1M | +40% |
| #16 | Yunus Konak Brentford FC | 20 | 6 | €4.5M | €7.5M | +40% |
| #17 | Amadou Koné NEOM SC | 20 | 6 | €4.0M | €6.6M | +40% |
| #18 | Luca Lipani US Sassuolo | 20 | 6 | €4.5M | €7.5M | +40% |
| #19 | Samuele Di Benedetto VfB Stuttgart II | 20 | 6 | €600K | €997K | +40% |
| #20 | David Ozoh Derby County | 20 | 6 | €800K | €1.3M | +40% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 79.0. That means Marc Bernal has 28% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Sport Club do Recife's Zé Lucas with a 79.0 RAU (28% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Jorthy Mokio of Ajax Amsterdam with a 79.0 RAU (28% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 79.0 means the upside is 79.0× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marc Bernal FC Barcelona | €12.8M | €11.0M-14.6M | +28% | 79.0 |
| #2 | Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | €6.4M | €5.5M-7.3M | +28% | 79.0 |
| #3 | Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | €10.2M | €8.8M-11.6M | +28% | 79.0 |
| #4 | Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | €3.1M | €2.7M-3.5M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #5 | Eduardo Felicíssimo Sporting CP B | €3.7M | €3.2M-4.2M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #6 | Luca Regiardo CA Newell's Old Boys | €617K | €532K-703K | +23% | 68.9 |
| #7 | Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar U21 | €617K | €532K-703K | +23% | 68.9 |
| #8 | Pape Diong USL Dunkerque | €988K | €852K-1.1M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #9 | Bailey Rice Rangers FC | €988K | €852K-1.1M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #10 | Leonardo Mendicino AC Reggiana 1919 | €988K | €852K-1.1M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #11 | Aleksandar Pavlovic Bayern Munich | €65.6M | €56.6M-74.7M | +19% | 58.7 |
| #12 | Samuele Di Benedetto VfB Stuttgart II | €714K | €616K-813K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #13 | Baran Gezek Eyüpspor | €1.4M | €1.2M-1.6M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #14 | Elías Montiel CF Pachuca | €6.5M | €5.6M-7.5M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #15 | Camilo Rey Domenech CA Boca Juniors | €595K | €513K-678K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #16 | Juan Sebastián Rodríguez CD Tondela | €595K | €513K-678K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #17 | Gabriel Moscardo SC Braga | €9.5M | €8.2M-10.8M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #18 | Amadou Koné NEOM SC | €4.8M | €4.1M-5.4M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #19 | Aleksandar Stanković Club Brugge KV | €15.5M | €13.3M-17.6M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #20 | Henrique Arreiol Legia Warszawa | €1.2M | €1.0M-1.4M | +19% | 58.0 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: defensive midfielder position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
CF Pachuca's William Carvalho in the 30+ age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-11.7%. That means Joshua Kimmich captures 17.2% of total market value while representing only 28.9% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is CR Flamengo's Jorginho with a +-11.7% ASC (17.2% value share vs 28.9% player share in 30+ bracket). Third is Diego de Buen of Club Necaxa with a +-11.7% ASC (17.2% value vs 28.9% players in 30+ bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-11.7% ASC means the player captures -11.7% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | William Carvalho CF Pachuca | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #2 | Jorginho CR Flamengo | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #3 | Diego de Buen Club Necaxa | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #4 | Jordy Clasie AZ Alkmaar | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #5 | Fernando is a 33-year old football player aus Brazil Without Club | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #6 | Parvizdzhon Umarbaev Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #7 | Jonas Meffert Hamburger SV | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #8 | Hannes Van Der Bruggen Cercle Brugge | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #9 | Lorenzo Crisetig Calcio Padova | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #10 | Nampalys Mendy Watford FC | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #11 | Anthony Losilla VfL Bochum | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #12 | Granit Xhaka Sunderland AFC | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #13 | Guilherme Al-Sadd SC | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #14 | Bruno Zuculini Racing Club | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #15 | Hotaru Yamaguchi V-Varen Nagasaki | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #16 | Kaan Ayhan Galatasaray | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #17 | Gustavo Cuéllar Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #18 | Callum McGregor Celtic FC | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #19 | Héctor Herrera Deportivo Toluca | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
| #20 | Sergiy Sydorchuk KVC Westerlo | 30+ | 17.2% | 28.9% | -11.7% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use: "Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets. "Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months. "Peak" = pay premium for proven performers. "Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 37 immediate targets, 231 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 355 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €900K. 0 undervalued, 112 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Samú Costa RCD Mallorca | €15.0M | €1.2M | -1.40 | Good Value |
Vini Souza VfL Wolfsburg | €15.0M | €1.2M | -1.40 | Good Value |
Marc Casadó FC Barcelona | €30.0M | €1.2M | -1.25 | Good Value |
Orel Mangala Olympique Lyon | €18.0M | €1.2M | -1.20 | Good Value |
Tyler Adams AFC Bournemouth | €18.0M | €1.2M | -1.20 | Good Value |
João Palhinha Tottenham Hotspur | €30.0M | €1.2M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Ardon Jashari AC Milan | €32.0M | €1.2M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Aleksandar Pavlovic Bayern Munich | €55.0M | €1.2M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Morten Hjulmand Sporting CP | €50.0M | €1.2M | -0.83 | Good Value |
Amadou Onana Aston Villa | €50.0M | €1.2M | -0.83 | Good Value |
Vitaly Janelt Brentford FC | €20.0M | €1.2M | -0.80 | Good Value |
James Garner Everton FC | €18.0M | €1.2M | -0.80 | Good Value |
Nicolò Rovella SS Lazio | €30.0M | €1.2M | -0.77 | Good Value |
Ilia Gruev Leeds United | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Doğucan Haspolat KVC Westerlo | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Fausto Vera Clube Atlético Mineiro | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Mirko Topić Norwich City | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Urko González de Zárate RCD Espanyol Barcelona | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Fabinho Red Bull Bragantino | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Boubacar Traoré FC Metz | €5.0M | €1.2M | -0.75 | Good Value |
