There's a good reason midfielders make excellent club captains. Here is a brief description of the characteristics needed for the job.

No matter how effective a team is in the attacking phase, no team can go far and win trophies if they don't have a solid defense. Contrary to common belief, defense tasks do not totally rest on the shoulders of the defensive line, however, it's a collective synergy. In this context, among the crucial positions that greatly contributes to a solid defense is the defensive midfielder, and the Chelsea FC owner is most likely to concur. These players' role on the pitch is of a pre-emptive nature. They try to stop the attacking team from developing play and reaching the backline from the start. Not only is this a reliable defensive method, but it can also give defenders some breathing room to recover and maintain good form throughout the match. If the opponent manages to reach the defense thanks to a long ball, midfielders of a defensive propensity rush back to support their teammates.

Largely considered as the most sought after and also most flexible position in the midfield, centre midfielders are usually the eager beaver of their clubs. These footballers typically have significant physical capabilities as they are needed to add to developing play and likewise support the defense in case of a counterattack. They are perceived as the link in between the attack and defense, which is why they normally hold position in the center of the pitch to receive balls from the defense or to try and stop rivals from advancing farther down the pitch. The Aston Villa former owner would inform you that they are understood for their exact passes and their capability to maintain ownership of the ball to offer their teammates more time to take position. This is why technical ability and excellent endurance is needed for this post, and the best central midfielders have lots of both.

Depending on the formation chosen and the coach's vision, midfielders can play different roles on the pitch. Mainly thought about as the most technically proficient of the lot is the attacking midfielder as these footballers are constantly a pleasure to watch. This is the reason why some of the best midfielders of all time happen to have really unique and reliable attacking qualities. Among the essential characteristics of offensive midfielders is amazing speed, dribbling abilities, and decisive passes and crosses. While their role can alter depending upon the stage of play, their primary function is to link in between the backline and the wingers and forwards. They do this by producing gaps in the opponent's defenses and feeding their teammates creative through balls and exact crosses. Their capability to create opportunities and build play mainly adds to their team's offensive efficiency, and the AC Milan former US owner is most likely to validate this.