Undoubtedly, the central midfielder is the most versatile player on any soccer field. Wearing multiple hats, these players have much responsibility and must showcase various skills.
In soccer, the position of center midfielder, specifically the central defensive midfielder, is the hardest after the goalkeeper. Central midfielders need to be all-around players who encompass the skills and qualities of defenders, attacking midfielders, and forwards.
Centre midfielders can be both defensive and attacking players. However, a defensive role is more challenging and requires much skill and talent.
The Role Of The Center Midfielder
Depending on the formation on the field, center midfielders typically play
- in front of the center-backs and full-backs
- behind the attacking midfielders and forwards
While in these positions, one of the essential roles of a central midfielder is that of transition.
Transition is a relatively modern term used in soccer to describe the ability of the center midfielder to disrupt an opponent’s attack and convert it into their own team’s attack.
This winning of the ball and keeping it to change the game’s momentum to your advantage is what makes a central defensive midfielder so crucial and makes the position so challenging.
The center midfielders must be skilled enough to tackle opponents without being fouled. They also don’t have much time to ponder their next pass. Once they have attacked the opponents to gain the ball, they must be decisive and pass immediately and accurately. Split-second decisions like this can ultimately win or lose the game.
What Skills And Qualities Does A Center Midfielder Need?
For central midfielders to be successful, they require tactical, technical, physical, and mental skills.
Defensive Skills
The center midfielders’ main priority is intercepting the ball from their opponent and breaking up play (i.e., instigating a transition).
Exceptional center midfielders, such as N’Golo Kante, have solid defensive skills in challenging their opponents fairly, especially from an unexpecting position (also known as ‘blindside defending’). They must work hard, not only to steal the ball but also to keep it and pass it within seconds to propel their team’s attack.
Game Vision
Center midfielders need to have a vision, thus, be able to read the game well. It requires anticipating the opponent’s next move and making instant decisions that keep them from executing their game plan. That is why the center midfielders are often referred to as the brains or IQ of a team.
Top-class center midfielders are also acutely aware of everything around them:
- Where their opponents are,
- Where their teammates are, and
- Where they will be once a transition occurs.
A center midfielder thus needs a 360° perception and understanding of what is happening on the soccer field. This vision allows them to think quickly on their feet and know exactly where to pass the ball once intercepted.
Communication Skills
In line with a center midfielder’s holistic awareness of all the players on the pitch, they must also maintain good communication with their teammates regardless of where they are positioned.
There needs to be an understanding, a relationship, between the center midfielder and the rest of the team. Whether through verbal or non-verbal communication, the center midfielder needs to interact with their peers and get to know their style of play and preferences. This familiarity will allow them to know exactly how, when, and where to pass to them.
Communication in the central midfield is also important as a motivating factor. Since the center midfielder has a broad view of the pitch and the players, the position is generally suited to a team captain. Of course, this is not a prerequisite. Still, the ability to see, read the game, and communicate with your team from the central midfield position is ideal for leading.
High Level Of Fitness
Players in the center midfield positions must be exceptionally fit since they must cover the entire pitch for 90 minutes or more. Besides running, center midfielders must make crunching tackles and have the physicality to challenge even the strongest and fastest attacking opponents.
Great center midfielders typically have good upper-body strength, speed, and agility. These physical traits and vision make for a potent player in this position.
One example of a central midfielder who shows great fitness and coverage in games is the Brazilian soccer player, Casemiro. The game heatmap of this central defensive midfielder shows the fitness these players need to possess.
Passing Skills
Regarding ball skills, center midfielders must be able to perfect their passes. Great passes win games, and it’s about having the eye for effective through balls and long balls.
Through balls is when a player passes the ball to another through the gap in the opponent’s defense. A long ball is when a player hits the ball over the heads of several opponents, often from one side of the pitch to the other. Pinpoint accuracy can result in the ball reaching their teammate’s feet, like the forward, who can take a shot at the goal.
Center midfielders must execute these passes with the utmost precision and timing since they can easily result in an offside or end up within reach of an opponent.
Control Of The Ball
Dribbling the ball well enough to keep possession and withstand your opponents’ attacks is arguably a skill that most, if not all, soccer players should have. It is a skill that is especially vital for a central midfielder since they need to dribble into open spaces, turn, and beat opposing players. And do all of this with speed!
Mental Discipline
Mental discipline on the pitch is the ability to commit to a position’s role and responsibilities. It is a secret weapon in the arsenal of any center midfielder. They must know where to be on the pitch and not stray from their duties.
The center midfield must also remain calm, collected, and disciplined, even amidst the numerous tackles made by and against them.
A lack of such restraint can result in fouls and yellow cards, which could mean free kicks and penalties, putting the opponents ahead in the game.
Shooting Ability
As mentioned earlier, a center midfielder can be both an attacking and defensive player, often translating shots into goals. Some of the best midfielders don’t only defend well, but they can also take powerful long shots when they get into the 18-yard area.
Well-trained center midfielders practice these shots often and from a distance to make it count on the day.
Final Thoughts
It is understandable if you don’t agree with my opinion of central midfielders are the hardest position in soccer besides the goalkeeper. However, the role of a central midfielder is crucial and, regardless of the formation being played, can make or break a team’s game.
If you want to find more information about soccer positions according to their difficulty, I recommend checking out the following articles:
