This article is a little late as i was intending to write it yesterday, following on from Fred B's article on DM's. Throughout the post I noticed a lot of people seemed to muddy the definition of certain players - From Box to Box, to Destroyer, To Deep Lying Playmakers.
Box-To-Box
Traditionally, this player is a workhorse with power and stamina being their biggest asset.
Not many players play this role and i fear it is a dying art.
Top players in this category:
Ramires - Chelsea
Marchisio - Juventus
Yaya Toure - Man City
Sami Khedira - Real Madrid
Destroyer
The unelegant, agile tackling master. Used to sometimes man mark opposition threats and at other times used to break up any counter attack / possesional tactics, most effective against a passing team who can be hurried into decisions, forcing mistakes
Top players in this category:
Javier Mascherano - Barcelona
Nigel De Jong - AC Milan
Scott Parker - Tottenham Hotpsurs
Blaise Matuidi - PSG
Gokhan Inler - Napoli
Sandro - Tottenham Hotspurs
Deep Lying Playmaker
The most elegant of the three styles, this player is most effective with his positioning and mentality. Not for the weak willed, they will fill gaps, find passes, start off attacks and use their positional sense to move opposition players like chess pieces.
Top Players in this category:
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Lucas Leiva - Liverpool
Sergio Busquets - Barcelona
Xabi Alonso - Real Madrid
Andrea Pirlo - Juventus
Paul Scholes - Manchester United
I think this role has developed substantially over the past 5 years and no doubt it will develop further, with the complexity of tactics in the game more and more specific roles are being designed for players with the right attributes.
Feel free to comment.
The Defensively Aware Midfielder
posted on 5/12/12
I hate it when I put in an unintended smiley.
posted on 5/12/12
Xavi is in my opinion a deep lying playmaker, even if he is not a defensive midfielder, similar to Scholes and Modrić..
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Fair enough.
I do think that Xavi plays as a center mid who go around the pitch finding space and creating space for his teammates whereas deep lying playmakers usually sit deep and pick out players with long range precise passing.
Barce uses a system where there's no need for long range passing, therefore don't need a deep lying playmaker.
posted on 5/12/12
Do people not consider Xavi it Iniesta 'defensively aware', they win the ball and press the opposition as much as many in these lists...
posted on 5/12/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 5/12/12
PPD + TOOR
Not played football manager since my early 20's .... Would love to spend a month doing so !
Surely you guys are not saying that me drilling down definitions for a midfield role is because i have seen it on a computer game?
I can assure you my opinions are not formed from a virtual environment.
Dont get me wrong your opinions are respected, but please dont attack my opinions, its a little disrespectful
posted on 5/12/12
Get better opinions then.
posted on 5/12/12
I have ... in fact i Got Better
posted on 5/12/12
Deep Lying Playmaker
Top Players in this category:
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
posted on 5/12/12
Deep Lying Playmaker
Top Players in this category:
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
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posted on 5/12/12
Destroyer
Scott Parker - Tottenham Hotpsurs
Also Matuidi is more box to box than 'destroyer'.