PROTECT THE DEFENCE

This is a key point. I guess, all in all, this is the main role. Protecting your defenders is really vital in terms of qualifying as a ‘holding midfielder’, because it allows them to fully focus on the opposing striker.

How many times do we see attacking midfielders run at defenders, because there’s too much space behind the opposing midfield? It happens a lot.

Defenders don’t want to be drawn out, having to step up to close a player down. The best way to stop that? Protect them. Don’t get caught up the pitch. Be disciplined, and make sure your defenders have as little to do as possible.

Going back to the 2014/15 season, Chelsea easily won the league.

Centre-back John Terry had a very good season, alongside Hazard, Costa,Willian, Fab-