This is an article about soccer, looking in particular at the position of central midfielder.

Debates and prizes centring around the very best footballers in the world often focus on strikers and forwards. Why is this the case? Well, basically these players are the distinction makers in football; the individuals capable of settling the outcome of a football match with a minute of brilliance. Goals are of course an essential currency in this regard; undoubtedly, the very best strikers are renowned for their consistently exceptional goal tallies throughout the years. Excellent forwards are likewise known for their ability to offer 'helps' for their colleagues; this is the pass that sets up the goal, so to speak. The US former AC Milan owner would acknowledge the importance of top strikers in contemporary football. Likewise, the former Aston Villa owner would also confirm the essential function that strikers play in football today.

A few of the very best soccer players in the world play in defensive positions. Indeed, whilst strikers and midfield maestros may frequently get the kudos for their goalscoring and imagination, all leading teams need elite defences. One of the most important positions for this area of the pitch is centre back. Charged with leading and arranging the back 4, a dominant centre back becomes part of the spinal column of a top football team. The Liverpool FC owner would verify the significance of centre backs in contemporary football, for example.

The very best football teams in the world aim to control in midfield. Indeed, central midfielder is one of the most important positions on the football pitch. The area of the pitch where a lot of the tactical battle takes place, central midfielders are frequently described as being the engine of a top football team. Throughout the history of the sport, the greatest football teams of all time have in some cases been captained by legendary central midfielders. Therefore, this is a position that brings with it a degree of leadership and obligation. Certainly, midfield can have a reciprocal impact on the outcome of the match; it a central midfielder wins their duel with their opposite number, it can galvanise their teammates to do the exact same with their own one on one battles. On the ball, central midfielders play a key role in how a team builds up. Often picking up the ball from the back 4, main midfielders will aim to play the ball forward, setting the pace and basic circulation of their team's possession. Some main midfielders will also be well-known for their shooting ability; others for their capacity to make late darting runs into the box in support of their attacking teammates. Off the ball, the position naturally involves a great deal of running and mobility; it is also crucial that main midfielders have positional intelligence, inhabiting the best areas on the pitch to make it harder for the opposition to play through them.