5 defenders who should consider a move into midfield

#1 David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

Is David Alaba wasted at left-back for Bayern Munich?

Bayern Munich’s Austrian left-back David Alaba is an interesting case in that he’s already played a multitude of roles in his career – ranging from his club’s preferred position all the way through to both wings.

But while he’s performed excellently for Bayern as a left-back, you can’t help but feel like he’s being wasted there when you consider his showings from midfield during international duty for Austria.

Admittedly, midfield berths for Bayern Munich aren’t exactly easy to come by. The competition there is second to none, ranging from the likes of Arturo Vidal and Thiago Alcantara in the more central areas to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the more attacking spots.

But Alaba arguably has just as much ability as any of them – he combines intelligence, technical ability and power in a way that very few players in the world are capable of doing.

Perhaps there’s a case to be made that Alaba should look to move away from Munich in order to move into a midfield role? I’m not sure if he prefers to play as a full-back, but unfortunately, football is still a game where the majority of the plaudits fall on attacking players.

With an ability to play as part of a midfield, running at the opposition’s defence being his speciality, Alaba could be *the* star for another big club in Europe rather than a cog in the system like he is at Munich. It’d definitely be something for him to consider should he choose to move to midfield for good.