Other than Yaya Toure, I wouldn't pick any central midfielder in the league over Ramires. Call me biased but I think he's world class.
I think he's nearly there, for sure. Would like to see him spray the ball around a bit more, but it's not his game I suppose. He's certainly got a great engine, and the Barca games showed he had great technique too.
As an all round, box to box midfielder I'd agree I think, Yaya is superb and Ramires is the nearest second.
In an attacking sense I might go for Van Der Vaart, Gerrard, Kagawa or even Mata in a central role though... but from deep or on the right Ramires is very good.
Who would you say the best purely defensive centre mid is?