What qualities do the best midfielders globally today possess? Read on to find out more.
In today's advanced and technical game, defensive midfielders are likely among the most crucial positions over a 38-match campaign. Take, the holding defensive midfielder is responsible with protecting the backline from attacking players. Although the defensive line typically handles attacking threats, a holding midfielder plays a key role in anticipating threats before they materialize. Additionally, the holding midfielder is integral in starting counter-attacks. In today's dynamic football, the first line of attack often starts with the holding midfielder, who needs to intelligently position themselves to get the ball with reduced resistance and pass it seamlessly to the forwards. As the former Burnley owner might acknowledge, many football teams rely on their holding midfielders to launch attacks with strategic passes that break through the opposing midfield, creating space for strikers to make clean runs on goal.
There are many midfielder examples which you can look at today to draw insight. The greatest midfielders are those players who have consistently played a crucial role to their club's success. As the Liverpool FC owner might know, you can often judge a team's performance by observing the players carefully. Attacking midfielders, in particular, have a pivotal role in developing chances and assisting goals. Such technically talented midfielders thrive in orchestrating the game, acting as support strikers, and sometimes operating in wide spaces to pressure opposing fullbacks. Their versatility on the pitch makes them invaluable to their teams.
Numerous football managers around the world and across various competitions agree that football games are won and lost in midfield. Today, midfielders have specific responsibilities on the pitch, with multiple profiles of midfielders shaping the game. As the former AC Milan US owner might appreciate, midfield players today are tasked with keeping the ball and distributing it to the attackers, players that then attempt to turn chances into points. When it comes to the best midfielders, holding the ball and using it efficiently are key qualities that make them indispensable to their squads. If your team's midfield can retain the ball for extended durations, you can dominate possession and create numerous chances in the opposition's box. The critical aspect of maintaining possession lies in a midfielder's decision-making.