holding midfielder

[Creampuff 22,628]

Doing more than your role doesn't change your role.

Jelavic comes deep to try and get the ball, doesn't make him any less of a striker. Samaras randomly sprints to left back and dilly dallies back up the park, doesnt make him any less of a spaz

[Chambo 197]

I think defensive midfielders come in all different guises. You get the combative type like Gattuso, Mascherano and Stuart McCall. Then there is the ones who read the game well like Hemdani, Robert Prosinecki, Matthaus and Xavi.

I don't think you need to fall into particular attributes to be classed as a 'holding midfielder'. As long as you break up play and retain possession. Gattuso may do this by charging into tackles and running himself into the ground whereas Xavi reads the game well and is always available to take a pass when a team mate is in trouble and 99% of the time will retain possession for the team.

If you have a player who reads the game well and is also very competitive then you have someone who is going to excel in the role. Alonso for example isn't overly physical but he tackles well, reads the game well and makes the short passes well to keep his team ticking over.

I used to love the all action style of McCall and Gattuso. They covered every blade of grass and always made sure the tempo of the team was high. We definitely miss a player in this mould although I think Clement would have grown into this role had everything turned out differently!

[rfcfraserrfc 262]

Oriel Romeu is the best in England right now.

[King Jela 20,343]

Oriel Romeu is the best in England right now.

He's very good, but Parker's better.

[sdunsmb 43]

Oriel Romeu is the best in England right now.

Yeh in the 3 games he's played, he's clearly proved himself better than De Jong, Parker, Lucas, Tiote, Carrick, Song, Etuhu, Barry etc

[BlueSuedeSambas 53,667]

Oriel Romeu is the best in England right now.

rfcfraserrfc in Chelsea bias shocker.

[Ferdasyn 431]

When I was in Barcelona last year I was talking to some locals about Fabregas' potential move to Barcelona and pretty much everyone was of the opinion that Busquets was ten times the player Fabregas ever will be.

This was during the World Cup, and interestingly, if you mentioned Real Madrid Players like Ramos doing well for the National team they would disregard him completely.

[derek1872 548]

What are they then?

De Rossi plays as an attacking midfielder who can also play the defensive midfield role.

Alonso plays in the centre as does Toure and Mascherano

[derek1872 548]

Well my fishing trip on this thread caught a few. I think I had jaws on the end of my line.

Good debate though

[papaguy51 912]

Romeu looks absolute class as well.

[Chambo 197]

De Rossi plays as an attacking midfielder who can also play the defensive midfield role.

Alonso plays in the centre as does Toure and Mascherano

So none of these are holding midfielders?

[Clemdog 39,389]

The other night was the first time I got to see Romeu play. Thought he was fantastic.

Another player who is neat and tidy and plays the easy pass is Francis Coquelin, also capable of going forward though. Didn't see him against Olympiakos.

[Gazzalivesforever 1,987]

Sergio busquets is the best player in the game at his role. You won't find a better one touch passing player, his ball retention is phenomenol!