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Defensive midfielders play one of the most important, but underrated, roles in modern-day football. While we associate a defensive midfielder with the duty of protecting the defence, today’s defensive midfielders are now tasked with the duty of having to control the game’s tempo.
It’s a role that has a profound influence on the rest of the team. The holder serves as a breakwater in front of the central defenders, making it harder for forwards to isolate them, while keeping the shape compact and ideally leading the press.
They are required to orchestrate the play, screen their defence and often provide an extra man in attack, in what often becomes a highly demanding job. They cover a lot of ground and always know where to be. These players screen the defence and never give the ball away. They can play great long passes, but if an opportunity opens up for them to attack they will take it and can shoot accurately from distance.
With a majority of the teams at the World-Cup looking to play attacking football and managers deploying an attack-oriented 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3 formation, it will be the defensive midfielder's job to win the ball and then carry it forward or pass it to a teammate, turning defence into attack in an instant.
The list includes 5 defensive-midfielders who will be pivotal to their team's campaign for the upcoming World Cup.
#5 Nemanja Matić- Serbia
Serbia have an experienced squad going into the World Cup, with a majority of their starting-XI plying their trade in the top 5 leagues of Europe. However, if they are to survive and move ahead in a group consisting of Brazil, Switzerland and Costa Rica, Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matić is going to be a key player.
Once a hot-head in the national team, who announced his retirement from international football for the lack of game-time, Matic has evolved into a composed, calm and commanding midfielder.
At 6ft 4in, he towers over a majority of his opponents and intimidates them with his game sense as well as his physique. What Matic does best is strengthen the spine of the team, answering a specific need and makes it easier for others to do their jobs, all important factors in justifying the player's inclusion in his national team and this list.
#4 Eric Dier- England
Eric Dier is a versatile player who has been deployed as a defensive midfielder, a centre-back and a right-back and the lad has excelled at all the aforementioned positions. Dier grew up in Portugal and despite interest from Portugal, he opted to represent England, making his debut for the senior team in November 2015.
Dier joined Spurs in 2014 and played as a centre-back and a right-back in his debut season, showing his versatility n the process. That has enabled Tottenham to switch their system efficiently, sometimes during the middle of a game as well.
Standing 6ft 2in tall, the well-built Dier has the attributes to be an uncompromising central defender. He has the aerial prowess, is an aggressive tackler and has a considerable burst of speed make him a formidable opponent. As well as his obvious physical qualities, a football education in Portugal has endowed Dier with sound technique, even allowing him to perform the holding midfielder role competently.
The 23-year-old has spent many of his formative years in the centre of defence his long-term future is surely in midfield and if England are to mount a serious challenge for the trophy, he will be a key element. He was handed the England captain's armband for the first time in a goalless home draw with Germany in November 2017 and if the signs are clear, he may have a bright future with the Three Lions.
#3 N'Golo Kanté- France
It would be a crime to exclude N'Golo Kanté from this list. The 27-year-old played a pivotal role for Leicester City and then Chelsea as he lifted the Premier League title twice in as many seasons.
Kante is celebrated and praised across the world for his ability to cut out opposing attacks. Often compared to Claude Makelele, Kante's tenacity allows him to intercept passes and put in the tackles to wrestle possession back for his side. When in possession, he is excellent at turning defence into attack; starting offensive plays after regaining possession, with simple, precise and efficient distribution of the ball.
He might not score screamers or set up goals, but he works hard and in a French team full of superstars, it will be the Chelsea man who will hold the key to his national team's success.
#2 Casemiro- Brazil
In a star-studded Brazilian team, that has some of the deadliest attacking players in the world, it will be Casemiro who will be the pivotal midfielder. The 26-year-old provides the base for the free-flowing Brazil attacks. Unlike Kante, the Real Madrid star also has the ability to come up with a screamer very now and then. He's Brazilian, so were you really surprised?
Casemiro’s most obvious contribution is the defensive coverage he provides. Often praised for his tackling prowess, Casemiro's presence could be the key to unlocking the potential that the likes of Neymar, Coutinho and Jesus possess.
In the build-up phase, Casemiro is useful for freeing up the creative-midfielders, allowing them to move between the lines and alternate their line-up and thanks to his technical qualities, he can also be useful in taking off pressure.
With Paulinho and Fernandinho having a great domestic season so far, the defensive-midfield position is up for grabs in the Brazilian team. However, the former is back from a stint in China and the latter is 32 years old and had a gruelling season with Manchester City already, so Casemiro is perhaps the favourite to start come June.
#1 Sergio Busquets- Spain
The finest quote about Sergio Busquets was delivered by former Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque."You watch the game, you don't see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game.” Countless articles have been written since and rightfully so; however, they still do not do him the justice he deserves.
With a resounding calmness and impeccable technique, Busquets is a well-rounded player and one that makes the difficult look easy. His defensive prowess and ability to intercept and block passing lanes is immense. He is good in the air and possesses an excellent passing range and has the ability to receive the ball under control and keep the play moving.
With great game awareness, movement to receive, timing, and a subtle first touch, he has become the epitome of consistency and the standard for all who desire to become a world-class midfielder and it is the combination and execution of the above qualities that have given him the opportunity to cement his place for both Club and National Team.
