They are the human dynamos who have impressed managers who tend to have technical and tactical demands. Fernandinho and N'Golo Kante are the kindred spirits who have been crucial, the all-action midfielders who should ensure Manchester City vs. Chelsea is a high-paced, energetic affair. They are men for whom the term "holding midfielder" is a misnomer. It implies they are static presences, merely occupying a position. Instead, they are active figures, chasing the ball rather than letting it come to them.
They earn superlatives by doing the supposedly simple things with relentless enthusiasm, all-rounders who can eliminate specialists with their ability to do most elements of midfield play.