really hate it when people try to box him in as a typical midfield destroyer due to his physique. He had crazy technique
Seedorf was probably my favourite midfielder as a kid, he was such a brilliant player. Amazing at everything. He was so complete.
Essien was fantastic as well, basically a Seedorf regen. It's sad he had all those injury problems, we never got to see him as a mature elder statesman type midfielder, with wisdom and experience compensating for declining explosiveness.
i hate that shyt. Pep making Yaya play CB and Mou making Mikel a DM. Iirc Mikel was a 10 before Mou
We all know why
Why is there a perception that defensive midfielders are somehow lesser? It's a position that requires tremendous intelligence, tactical knowledge and vision. Only the smartest midfielders can play at defensive midfield with consistent success. You've got to be able to stay two moves ahead of the opposition, so you're always in the right place to intercept a pass or better still prevent it from being attempted in the first place by shutting down the angle. You've got to stay aware of all the off the ball movement. And you have to be so clear in your decision making as to when to press forward and challenge the guy on the ball, or when to stand off him and provide cover.
And then when you get on the ball you've got a lot of responsibility as well, you're the guy who sets the tempo of the game. You can play it safe and make short, simple passes. Or you can be more direct. Equally your positioning is also important. Sometimes you choose to push up the field and contribute to the attack, other times you stay back to cover the defence. The best defensive midfielders know how to mix it up, they determine when to retain possession and when to take risks based on their reading of the match situation.
So overall you have to be so intelligent to play at that position. Out on the wings and at number 10, you don't. Technical skill and pace will do just fine. You don't need to be constantly thinking about the state of the game.
Mikel was ideal for it because his outstanding attribute was intelligence, not skill on the ball. He was a way better number 6 than he could ever have been a number 10.
