DICTATE THE TEMPO

Being a defensive midfielder doesn’t just involve tackling and tracking back. It’s useful to be effective in possession, too, though some are better at this than others.

A number of midfielders are recognised for their work with the ball. Paul Scholes, Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso and Xavi represent the players that can really control a game of football due to their fantastic passing ability.

Possession is a key aspect of this. Incisive passes that split the defence, switching the play to isolate a defender, 40-yard passes that are to feet are attributes that every midfielder would love to possess.

It’s all about having pictures. The passing merchants see the game at a speed much