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In the previous generations of football, the midfield of teams usually had a defense-minded midfielder whose job was to shield the defense and do the bulk of the running in the middle of the park.
Defensive midfielders were usually seen as the 'bad boy' of the team as they usually completed the majority of the tackles in the side and often did the dirty work for the side. Players like Claude Makelele, Genarro Gattuso, Javier Mascherano and Roy Keane are among others to be the pioneers of this role.
However, with the evolution of the game, the role has now been modernized in recent times with highly technical and calm players filling the position. These midfielders, although also generally referred to as defensive midfielders, are deep-lying playmakers or 'registas'.
Traditional defensive midfielders focus more on putting in tackles and leaving the progression to other midfielders. However, deep-lying playmakers are more concerned at driving their side forward with a very robust range of passing and penetration.
This role is widely attributed to Andrea Pirlo as the Italian was one of the major names who pioneered the utilization of 'registas' in modern football. Other names who mastered the position included Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick amongst others.
Traditional defensive midfielders are still very important and in use in today's football with N'Golo Kante, Wilfred Ndidi and Casemiro some of the biggest names in the role. However, deep-lying playmakers are given more regard as the game of football has become more technically inclined.
The best 'registas' in world football right now
#5 Sergio Busquets | Barcelona
The Spanish midfielder is a veteran of the position as he has 13 seasons and over 600 games worth of experience in the role at Barcelona. Busquets began playing for Barcelona in 2008 as the deepest of the three midfielders in the Blaugrana's famous 4-3-3 formation.
The 33-year-old has partnered with Iniesta, Xavi, Rakitic and most recently Pedri and De Jong in midfield over the course of his career. While all these names have received numerous plaudits over the years, Busquets has constantly been a cover for these players.
He has allowed them the freedom to roam forward while he has both shielded the defense and also kept the side ticking.
Despite his advancing age, Sergio Busquets is still an integral part of the Barcelona setup as he made 50 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions last season.
Last season, Busquets led Ronald Koeman's men in interceptions per game (1.5) in La Liga. He also had the second-most tackles, long-balls and passes per game for Barcelona in La Liga.
Busquets is not the flashiest of players but his skill set cannot be overlooked as he has been a major cog both at club and international level. With over 30 trophies won for club and country, Busquets has managed to win every trophy available to him.
#4 Manuel Locatelli | Sassuolo
The 23-year-old is a player in demand with top clubs across Europe vying for his signature, particularly Arsenal and Juventus. The numerous interests in Locatelli stem from his highly impressive performances for Italian outfit Sassuolo over the past two seasons.
Manuel Locatelli began his career at AC Milan where he spent two full seasons before joining Sassuolo on an initial loan deal. After impressing during his loan stint, the Neroverdi opted to sign him on a permanent deal in 2019. The decision proved to be the right one as the Italian has gone on to spend two highly remarkable seasons at the club, generating interest from clubs across Europe.
Locatelli often played in a double-pivot at Sassuolo last season and was one of the standout players at the club, leading the side in accurate long balls and tackles per game with 4.9 and 2.4 respectively. He also completed the second-most interceptions and passes per game for Sassuolo last season.
The midfielder was an important member of the Italy side who won the European Championship in July.
#3 Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile players in world football. The German is capable of playing comfortably at centre-back, right-back, central midfield and also defensive midfield. It is as a defensive midfielder that Kimmich has played the last two seasons.
Playing alongside Leon Goretzka for the bulk of last season, Kimmich's defensive job in midfield was reduced, allowing the 26-year-old the freedom to dictate play from deep for the Bavarians.
He made 10 assists in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich and 14 in all competitions. Kimmich also completed the most passes and long balls per game. Only Thomas Muller (93) created more chances than Kimmich (68) for Bayern Munich in the league last season.
A highly decorated player, Kimmich has been included in the Bundesliga team of the season for four consecutive seasons. He has also been named in the UEFA Champions League team of the season twice.
The German was voted UEFA Champions League defender of the season in 2020 after helping Bayern Munich to an historic treble.
#2 Jorginho | Chelsea
Jorginho had previously split opinions in his first and second seasons at Chelsea, with some football fans and analysts criticizing his defensive work rate. However, the Italian has rapidly banished any doubts about his game with recent performances for club and country even propelling him into the candidates for the Ballon d'Or.
Before joining Chelsea in 2018, Jorginho spent four years at Napoli. He was utilized in his final years at the club in a midfield three comprising of himself, Allan and club captain Marek Hamsik.
With Allan and Hamsik doing the bulk of the running and tackling in midfield, Jorginho was allowed to keep the side ticking with his impressive passing range.
He repeated these performances for Chelsea last season, helping the Blues to just their second ever Champions League trophy. An adept penalty taker, Jorginho scored the most goals in the league for Chelsea (seven).
He also completed the second-most passes and long balls in midfield for the London club, and still completed the joint-third most tackles per game for the Blues. Only N'Golo Kante completed more interceptions than the Italian per game for Chelsea in the Premier League.
His impressive performances for Chelsea in their Champions League triumph last season were transferred to the international stage as he played every game for Italy as they went on to win Euro 2020. He was voted into the team of the tournament for both competitions.
#1 Toni Kroos | Real Madrid
Kroos' longevity and consistency is nothing short of outstanding as the German has established himself as a veteran in the role over the years. With almost 700 games played for club and country over a 15-year span, Kroos is the best deep-lying playmaker of his generation.
Starting his career at Bayern Munich, Toni Kroos spent two years on loan at fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen where he impressed. He returned to Bayern Munich and established himself as a regular in the side for the next four years before joining Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in 2014.
Kroos, alongside Luka Modric and Casemiro, established themselves as one of the strongest midfield partnerships of all-time. The trio served as the engine of Real Madrid's unprecedented three-year Champions League dominance.
Casemiro did the dirty work in midfield and Luka Modric was often the gloss of the trio. Kroos' duty, however, was to link the defense and attack with amazing vision and passing qualities, an assignment which the German has carried out flawlessly for over five years now.
Although Madrid endured a tough campaign last season, Kroos was one of the better players in the side. He topped the team in assists provided (10) and big chances created (11).
He also led the team in accurate passes and long balls per game in La Liga last season. No player created more chances per game than Toni Kroos in La Liga last season.
Kroos has won over 20 trophies for club and country in his career, including four Champions League trophies and the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
