The holding midfielder is the darling of the modern game - the thinking man’s player of choice. Those ‘in the know’ will tell you that their intelligence, work rate and ability to read the game underpin any great side.
They will have you believe that Liverpool’s rejuvenation is thanks to Javier Mascherano, Arsenal’s poor form this season can be traced back to the departure of Mattieu Flamini, and Chelsea’s two league titles were down to the Godfather of the little blighters, Claude Makelele.
Don’t believe the hype. The anchorman exists to ruffle some feathers and make a nuisance of themselves. They are the game’s least cultured player.
The holding midfielder is someone who didn’t have the technical ability to be a central midfielder and was too naïve or physically ill-equipped to be a central-defender.
They now exist in a no man’s land in-between, chasing people down and tackling them, then hurriedly passing the ball. There’s no dignity to the role.
They are also indicative of the modern game and its increasing conservatism. Defensive midfielders stymie the game’s attacking elements and have directly contributed to the demise of the game’s most exciting position: the out-and-out attacking midfielder.
Whereas teams once used an auxiliary midfielder to support two strikers, they now dedicate one to shielding the defence. Gone are the days of Roberto Baggio floating behind two strikers. In his place is the snarling Genarro Gatusso in front of four defenders.