Top-Scoring central midfielders in K League 1 2026

At a glance

J. Son of FC Seoul is the standout for raw talent across central midfielders in K League 1, with a Field Insider Rating of 49.4, and Kim Jin-Gyu has been the form player this season, grading 16.2, and Italo Moreira leads the scoring with 3 goals.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: Emerson Negueba has improved his Season rating most, up +12.7 on last season, while Kim Dong-Jin's scouting Rating has risen fastest, +0.2 over the same span. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, Emerson Negueba of Jeju United FC is the most valuable name in this group at 11.4.

Best talent

J. Son49.4RTG

FC Seoul

In form

Kim Jin-Gyu16.2SsN

Jeonbuk Motors

Rising potential

Kim Dong-Jin+0.2RTG

Pohang Steelers · 24/25→25/26

Most improved

Emerson Negueba+12.7SsN

Jeju United FC · 23/24→25/26

Top scorer

Italo Moreira3goals

Jeju United FC

Most valuable

Emerson Negueba11.4val

Jeju United FC