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The importance placed on a team's deep-lying playmaker has radically increased over the years. Modern managers have begun to opt for press-friendly and powerful players in the middle, but they generally operate in front of or alongside a player capable of controlling the tempo and flow of the game from deeper areas.
Many players have tried to play this role in the past, but only a handful have truly succeeded at being the orchestrator of their sides — none more so than AC Milan and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo. The Italian football icon is widely regarded as one of the greatest deep-lying playmakers or 'registas' to play the game as he could unlock even the most stubborn defences with one wave of his majestic right foot.
Other noteworthy names who have played this role to near perfection include Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso, who were at the heart of Spain's immeasurable success since 2000. The Spanish legends were celebrated figures at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, with Alonso also being a key figure for Liverpool and Bayern Munich while playing as a regista.
On that note, here, we take a look at the five best deep-lying playmakers in the top five leagues of Europe at the moment.
Honourable Mention: Fabian Ruiz | Napoli
Fabian Ruiz has been one of the most impressive midfielders in Serie A since his move to Napoli. He might not be the flashiest player in the side, but such is his role for the Partonopei. The Spanish international came through the ranks at Real Betis before sealing a €30m move to Serie A.
Ruiz is the primary ball-progressor for Gennaro Gattuso's Napoli as he's tasked with breaking opposition lines by splitting defences to release the forwards. He has shown that he can perform this role whether in transition after winning the ball back or during an extended spell of possession to pick a defence apart.
The 24-year-old ventures further forward than others on this list as he isn't as adept defensively, playing alongside other destroyers such as Tiemoue Bakayoko and Diego Demme. He has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid in the past, and could be set for a big-money return to his homeland.
#5 Marcelo Brozovic | Internazionale
Inter's deep-lying midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is currently having a superb campaign at San Siro under Antonio Conte. The Croat has been at the heart of Inter's midfield for quite a while now but has stepped up even further this season as the Nerazzurri head towards their first title in a decade.
Brozovic has, for the most part, played alongside two other midfielders in Inter's 3-5-2 and has been the deepest of the three. He has been adept at breaking up play and recycling possession and in transition, Brozovic plays an important role in releasing the ball quickly to feed the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez up top.
This season, the 28-year-old has registered the fourth-most touches of any midfielder in Serie A with 1852 in his 26 games and his passes per 90 tally of 63.8 is only second to Manuel Locatelli (more on him later). Brozovic has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool in the past but with Inter edging closer to the Scudetti, he appears unlikely to depart.
#4 Manuel Locatelli | Sassuolo
Manuel Locatelli is, perhaps, the most inexperienced name on this list but certainly one of the most impressive ones. The young Italian, formerly of AC Milan, has had a stellar campaign with the Neroverdi which has helped him work his way into Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini's plans for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020.
Locatelli has established himself as one of the best registas in Serie A as he has excelled at winning the ball back and spraying it all over the pitch effortlessly. In his 25 Serie A games so far, Locatelli has played 198 (!) passes into the final third — more than any player in Italy — and has the most number of touches for a Serie A midfielder with 2299.
The Italian also has 187 progressive passes (fourth-highest in Serie A), and has won 40 tackles in midfield, with only five midfielders in Italy racking up more. Locatelli also averages more passes (78.6) than any Serie A player. It isn't difficult to see why the likes of Andrea Pirlo's Juventus and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are keen to sign him come summer as he could go on to become one of the best registas in the world.
Also read: 5 Transfers that dramatically changed the fortunes of a club
#3 Frenkie de Jong | Barcelona
Since breaking onto the scene with Erik ten Hag's Ajax side that reached a UEFA Champions League semi-final, Frenkie de Jong has gone on to become one of the best midfielders in the world. The Dutchman has been one of Barcelona's most important players this season as they look to dethrone Atletico Madrid in LaLiga Santander.
De Jong generally does play as a deep-lying midfielder, but this season he's also been deployed as a libero by his compatriot Ronald Koeman, and 23-year-old has excelled in this role as well. De Jong has registered more touches (2536) and progressive carrying distance (6904 yards) than any player in LaLiga this season, and his 197 passes into the final third and seven through balls are only bettered by four midfielders in Spain.
De Jong's ability to excel in deeper areas while also being able to drive the ball forward equally well makes him one of the most unique players in the league. He has more progressive carries (281) and carries into the final third (79) than anyone in LaLiga bar Leo Messi. De Jong has been a colossal player for the Blaugrana this season.
#2 Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich's treble-winning star Joshua Kimmich is arguably one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment. Kimmich took over Thiago Alcantara's number six shirt and the Spaniard's responsibilities for Bayern Munich this season and while they have different approaches to the game, the German has done a great job so far.
Slotting in next to a more physically imposing Leon Goretzka, Kimmich has pulled the strings for the German champions and has grown into the role admirably well. Among Bundesliga midfielders, Kimmich tops the charts for passes per 90 (68.8), progressive passes (174), passes into the final third (160), passes into the penalty area (50), most assists (ten), and key passes per 90 (2.5). He's also played more through balls than anyone in the Bundesliga with 11.
Kimmich is one of the most accomplished passers on this list and the German also covers a lot of ground for his side, putting in excellent defensive shifts. His ability to control games for the Bavarians from deeper areas has been priceless for them, particularly after losing Thiago to Liverpool last summer. At 26, Kimmich is one of the best deep-lying midfielders in Europe at the moment.
#1 Toni Kroos | Real Madrid
Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. The metronomic German, along with teammate Luka Modric, has been an indispensable part of the Real Madrid squad that went on to complete the famous 'three-peat' of the UEFA Champions League under Zinedine Zidane.
Kroos' ability to control the tempo of the game and keep his side on top of proceedings is simply unparalleled. The German is capable of delivering any and every type of pass on the pitch and he is equally adept at spraying the ball around with either foot. His press-resistance helps him receive the ball under pressure and scan his surroundings with a clever touch or two before pinging the ball upfield.
Among midfielders in LaLiga Santander this season, Kroos has racked up the most number of assists (eight), key passes (63), passes into the final third (253), through balls (eight), and the best pass completion percentage with 93.5. Only Dani Parejo boasts more progressive passes than his 181, while only four midfielders took more touches than Kroos' 2220.
Many players in the past have heaped praise on Kroos in the past, but his teammate Casemiro summed up his importance to the side perfectly. The Brazilian expressed;
"If Toni wants the team to slow things down, the team will go a little slower – or if he wants to up the pace, the team will play a little faster. So basically, the way we play is determined by Toni Kroos."
The 31-year-old is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best deep-lying playmaker in Europe.
Also read: 5 Greatest big-game players in world football right now
