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The complete article. Central midfielders are good all-rounders, comfortable both joining in with attacking moves and dropping deep to their own penalty area to help with defence (hence why they’re frequently called “box-to-box midfielders”).
The ideal central midfielder will typically be strong and stout, to prevent them being muscled out in the crowded central area of the pitch. The best central midfielders, such as Frank Lampard, also have the intelligence to make late runs into the penalty area to surprise the opposition defence with a shot.
Below sees Lampard scores after a typical late run into the area –
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Popularised by Inter Milan in the 1950’s, “Libero” – “free” in Italian – is a roaming defender who isn’t assigned a specific position in the defensive line. Instead, his duty may be to sit in between the traditional line and the goalkeeper, dealing with any loose passes behind the defence. This role has become redundant in recent eras due to the increase in the responsibility of goalkeepers to act as a sweeper keeper.
Now, the free defender position is much more associated with attack. Modern defenders such as David Luiz and Jan Vertonghen are often associated with this moniker, and are lauded for their skill with the ball as well as the defender’s traditional tackling ability.
Their skill at passing and using possession has meant modern teams are much more comfortable keeping the ball instead of punting it far down the pitch away from dangerous areas.
Below sees Vertonghen making a very deft attacking run all the way from defence to score against Swansea for Tottenham.
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A second cool penalty in as many weeks takes Roberto Soldado’s goal tally for Spurs to 5 in 4 matches.
The foul the penalty was awarded for was very soft indeed, with barely any contact being made with Andros Townsend. Still, Spurs should’ve had a penalty late in the first half when Townsend was fouled well inside the area and a free kick was given. Swings and roundabouts.
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Steve Bruce claimed that Hull’s initial aim was to win ten Premier League matches this season. This is one in the bag against the sort of team they will be looking to beat on a regular basis to stay up.
Even after being reduced to ten men when striker Yannick Sagbo was sent off, Hull reorganised well. Their defensive line was solid, and although Norwich dominated possession they struggled to get their shots on target.
The top flight experience of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore in the midfield certainly helped, Huddlestone providing the ball quality under pressure throughout the game. They’ll be key players in Hull’s Premier League adventures this year.
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Returning from an injury that kept him from playing for Spurs since January, Sandro received a standing ovation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sktLM2UTMwY
This illustrates how much the Tottenham fans adore him, perhaps the club’s most-loved player, above even Michael Dawson or Gareth Bale.
This love is not without merit. He’s not only a fantastic character but a fantastic player, and was statistically one of the best defensive midfielders in the league until his injury brought his 2012/13 to a premature end.
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His strike for United’s third and RVP’s second of the match reached a top speed of almost 60 miles per hour. This is just a missile:
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A fine finish by Sturridge. Stoke had resisted Liverpool’s increasing pressure for over half an hour, and even had excellent chances to take the lead. There was little they could do to stop this effort. Sturridge found a yard of space and struck the ball sweetly, bending it towards the far corner beyond the reach of Asimir Begovic in goal.
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An old position that has been brought back into the limelight in recent years due to the prolific talent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
An attacking-focused wide player, the inside forward’s aim is to cut into the middle of the pitch and create goalscoring opportunities. They will typically be deployed on the opposite side of the pitch to their strong foot (for example, right-footed Ronaldo plays on the left wing for Real Madrid), to allow them to shoot on their strong side once cutting into range.
The ideal inside forward will have both speed to enable them to scuttle round their opposing defender and make space, and both strength and accuracy when shooting from range.
Robben is also a modern iteration of the inside forward