Size, apparently, doesn’t matter, and that certainly appears to be the case when deciding upon the world’s best central attacking midfielders. Only a fifth of our top 10 stand at six feet, but the playmaker role is the one position where technique always triumphs over muscle. Each name on our shortlist shares common traits: an eye for a pass; speed of thought and foot; the knack of doing the unexpected; and a very real goal threat.

Iniesta is the complete midfielder and had won it all by the age of 26. Now 28, Iniesta has been playing in the all-conquering Barcelona side for a decade, during which he has won five domestic championships and three Champions League titles.

For Spain, he played a pivotal role in all three of their recent tournament successes, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against Holland. Even in two teams crammed full of superstars and supreme talent, Iniesta consistently stands out as among the best of the lot.

When Jose Mourinho says, "he is unique, there is no copy of him,” then you know you are special. Only 23, Ozil is also many other things, including the king of the assist. He laid on more goals than anyone else in La Liga last season, as Real Madrid toppled mighty Barcelona in the Primera Division.

Ozil’s left foot combines the qualities of a magic wand with a sledgehammer, with his power-packed shot posing as much of a threat to opponents as his eye for a defense-unlocking pass.

Silva is a Barcelona player in a Manchester City shirt. The graceful 26-year-old fits exactly the profile of a Blaugrana star, but the former Valencia schemer operates in the Premier League where, after a season of adjustment, he has played a leading role in ending City’s trophy drought and helped them become England’s best.
 

Going through a "career renaissance" with Juventus last season, the Italian maestro reminded football fans across the globe why he's regarded as a leading champion of this position at Euro 2012. The former AC Milan midfielder helped Italy grab a second place finish at the European Championship and mesmerized viewers with a "Panenka" tribute penalty shot. At 33-years-old, Pirlo has much left in the tank, so much so that he was named to Euro 2012's best XI squad.

While Kaka has failed to consistently show his best form in a Real Madrid shirt, the Brazilian should still be classed as one of the world’s top 10 in his position. Fitness problems and an array of creative alternatives in the Real squad has not helped the 2007 Balon D’Or winner’s prospects of recreating his AC Milan form at the Bernabeu, but don’t write off Kaka just yet.

Tottenham steadfastly refused to do business with Chelsea when the Blues wanted to take their prized asset last summer, but it looks likely that Real Madrid will now pose a greater test of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s resistance.

Modric should be doing his thing in the Champions League and, with Spurs not involved again next season, Real, Manchester United or Chelsea will happily give him the platform he deserves.

Sneijder was the hottest property of last summer’s transfer window, when he and Manchester United flirted outrageously with each other. Frugal Ferguson, though, decided that the Inter Milan star was too expensive, while Sneijder opted to stay at the San Siro: decisions which probably played a large part in both parties’ disappointing campaigns last season.

Sneijder’s eye for a short pass is as sharp as his pinpoint accuracy over longer distances, while there are few better manipulators of a dead ball in world football. As Sneijder himself would likely tell you, there are few better playmakers in the world game.
 

Toure's inclusion to this list might surprise many, but it shouldn't. The 29-year-old is hands down of the best midfielders in the world, virtually carrying Manchester City to the Premier League finish line during the second half of the season. Renowned for his speed, passing ability, and physical power, Toure flourished as an attacking option for City grabbing 11 goals in 2011-2012. His developed skills have now allowed Toure to become the undisputed number '10' for Côte d'Ivoire national football team.
 

The scramble for Hazard’s signature has already provided us with one of the biggest stories of the current transfer window, with Chelsea’s late run seeing them surge past both Manchester clubs to get to the Belgian first. The 21-year-old was dubbed “little Messi” by his former coach Claude Puel and, while that may be premature, Hazard certainly has the time and potential to become one of the world’s very best.

Upon signing for Manchester United, Kagawa claimed, “I haven't accomplished anything yet.” Sir Alex Ferguson obviously disagrees as the 23-year-old is the man selected to bring some much-needed creativity to Old Trafford as they prepare to regain their Premier League crown; a task which will be made much easier if Kagawa can repeat last season’s 17 goals and 13 assists for German double winners Borussia Dortmund.