Originally posted by Ragnorak The only thing that gives me pause in naming Roy Keane the best defensive midfielder in the world is the fact that this under rates his ability. He was quite simply, the best midfielder in the world. Only his own mind (helped by his growing age) and his manager, pigeon holed him as a defensive midfielder. His aerial ability (for a small lad 5' 10"😉 was u ...[text shortened]... Greatest Player Ever, and my prediction: Greatest Manchester United Manager Ever. 🙂
Originally posted by GinoJ Claude Makalele or Edgar Davids or?
An extremely under-rated defensive midfielder not named here so far.... David Batty.
I was never bothered about him (maybe 'cos he was at L**ds), didn't really rate him at Blackburn... but when he moved to Newcastle I believe he played some of the best football of his career.
Originally posted by blade68 An extremely under-rated defensive midfielder not named here so far.... David Batty.
I was never bothered about him (maybe 'cos he was at L**ds), didn't really rate him at Blackburn... but when he moved to Newcastle I believe he played some of the best football of his career.
...and one from a while back...Trevor Hockey.
Batty's problem was that he under rated himself! His defensive qualities were always great but in big matches with great players alongside he was guilty of too many sideways passes.
I agree later in his career he took the ball forward more, but nowhere near as well as Keane, viera, Davids etc.
Originally posted by petrosianpupil Batty's problem was that he under rated himself! His defensive qualities were always great but in big matches with great players alongside he was guilty of too many sideways passes.
I agree later in his career he took the ball forward more, but nowhere near as well as Keane, viera, Davids etc.
Most DMs are plain, quiet, hard-wokring players. They play modestly, short simple passes, they run a lot. They're the dynamos of the team. They are the secret heroes.[edit] To illustrate my point, after Makalele left R. Madrid for example, the team struggled a lot in team defense for a long time.
They are not as flamboyant as attacking midfielders.
Diego Armando Maradona vs Claude Makalele. The difference is ridicilous.
Originally posted by GinoJ Most DMs are plain, quiet, hard-wokring players. They play modestly, short simple passes, they run a lot. They're the dynamos of the team. They are the secret heroes.[edit] To illustrate my point, after Makalele left R. Madrid for example, the team struggled a lot in team defense for a long time.
They are not as flamboyant as attacking midfielders.
Diego Armando Maradona vs Claude Makalele. The difference is ridicilous.
I agree with all that.
The difference with most traditional english DM's and the real greats is their ability to play clever short balls AND run into space when their team gets the ball. Hargreaves is great defensively but does not always make himself available. Batty used to be in space and would pass to a player who was marked. But Keane would always move the ball forward and commit an opponent before passing; Not enough for it to be a risk of a tackle; but enough for his opponent to gain momentum in the wrong direction.
Originally posted by blade68 An extremely under-rated defensive midfielder not named here so far.... David Batty.
I was never bothered about him (maybe 'cos he was at L**ds), didn't really rate him at Blackburn... but when he moved to Newcastle I believe he played some of the best football of his career.
...and one from a while back...Trevor Hockey.
as if u can label trevor hockey with midfield greats........LOL🙄
Originally posted by Squelchbelch Wasn't Beckenbauer a defensive midfielder?
If so, he gets my vote.
i always thought he was more of a 'sweeper' central defender for most of the career. i think he used to play in mid-field at the start of his career in the 60s