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Modern football has seen more emphasis being placed on pacey players. Generally, such players are more pleasing to watch, with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Adama Traore coming to mind; he combines incredible pace with world-class dribbling ability.
Managers these days prefer such players as well. The ability to run past, or dribble through an opponent is aesthetically pleasing; it is also inherent evidence of quality, with wingers like Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling proving this to be the case.
However, there are certain players capable of performing at the highest level despite not possessing such speed. They rely more on their technical skill and match intelligence to compensate for this lack of pace, and dictate play from deep and occupy spaces correctly.
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We look at the:
10 greatest 'slow' footballers at the moment
#10 GRANIT XHAKA - ARSENAL
Granit Xhaka has once again become an important player at Arsenal under the management of Mikel Arteta.
The Switzerland international joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 for €45 million, and in subsequent years has enjoyed a topsy-turvy spell at the Emirates. Xhaka has been one of Arsenal's better midfielders but has not enjoyed a mixed relationship with the fans.
The 28-year old has found a new lease of life under Arteta, and his influence has been visible on the field. An excellent passer as well as a good set-piece taker, Xhaka looks set to play a key role this season as well.
#9 JOAO MOUTINHO - WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
One of the most underrated midfielders during his prime, Joao Moutinho has silently been one of Wolverhampton Wanderers' best players since joining the club.
Having cost Wolves just €6 million to prise him away from AS Monaco in 2018, the 34-year old has been everpresent in the midfield for the Premier League side. Acting as a mentor to fellow Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves, Moutinho has been vital to how Nuno Espirito Santo's side have operated.
While the club has been active this transfer window, they have not strengthened the midfield positions, and it looks likely that the Portugal international will be an important member despite his age.
#8 OLIVIER GIROUD - CHELSEA
Olivier Giroud might not be the most gifted player on the field, but there is a reason he remains France's preferred no.9 ahead of the likes of Anthony Martial.
The 34-year old is a selfless operator, preferring to occupy defenders to allow his more talented and rapid teammates to find space and score goals. Giroud has a healthy goalscoring record of his own; scoring at a consistent rate for Arsenal and now for Chelsea.
The arrival of Timo Werner and the emergence of Tammy Abraham may have reduced his minutes, but he remains an excellent option from the bench. Inter Milan were interested in signing him this season, a testament to his quality.
Also Read: Reports: Manchester United set to complete move for Arkadiusz Milik
#7 HARRY MAGUIRE - MANCHESTER UNITED
Harry Maguire has often been unfairly criticised during his spell at Manchester United, but the fact remains that his addition has made the backline more solid.
Maguire joined Manchester United from Leicester City in 2019 for €87 million, making him the most expensive defender of all-time. He was everpresent for the Red Devils, becoming their captain this January after the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan.
While there have been some mistakes, the England international has looked good for the majority of the season, with his ball-playing ability crucial for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
#6 JORGINHO - CHELSEA
For much of the summer, it seemed as if Jorginho's time at Chelsea had come to an end.
The emergence of young Billy Gilmour had made Jorginho a bench player, and there were rumours that he would be sold. However, he continues to be a part of Frank Lampard's squad, and the Italy international looks unlikely to leave the club, with Ross Barkley having already departed.
Having joined Chelsea in 2018 for €57 million, the 28-year old is one of the more experienced members of a young Chelsea squad, and Lampard will hope that he helps the likes of Gilmour and Mount in developing into better players.
#5 SERGIO BUSQUETS - BARCELONA
Long touted as the most underrated player in world football, Sergio Busquets is clearly not the player he once was.
One of the best defensive midfielders to have played the game, the Spain international is now seen as a liability instead of an asset. However, Busquets, who has spent his entire playing career at Barcelona, seems intent on proving that that is not the case, with some strong performances at the start of the season.
The 32-year old has been admired by the likes of Johan Cruyff and Vicente del Bosque for his playing style, and will likely finish his playing career at his beloved Barcelona, where he has made nearly 600 appearances in all competitions since making his debut in 2008.
#4 MATS HUMMELS - BORUSSIA DORTMUND
One of the world's best centre-backs during his prime, Mats Hummels continues to play an important role for Borussia Dortmund.
Hummels rejoined Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich for €30.5 million in 2019, having made more than 300 appearances in all competitions during his first spell at the club. The 31-year old has been entrusted with guiding young defenders like Manuel Akanji and Dan-Axel Zagadou, while playing meaningful minutes of his own.
An excellent passer well-renowned for his intelligence and strength, the Germany international remains a top player for the German giants.
Also Read: 10 greatest goalkeepers of the 21st century
#3 LUKA MODRIC - REAL MADRID
One of the best midfielders of this generation, Luka Modric cemented his legacy by winning the Ballon d'Or in 2018.
The Croatia international, who joined Real Madrid in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur for €35 million, is renowned for his creativity, passing and technical ability. Modric's midfield partnership with Toni Kroos formed the base for Real Madrid as they won three Champions League titles in a row.
Now 35 years of age, Modric has shown signs of decline. Despite that, he made 40 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos last season, as they won the league.
#2 THOMAS MULLER - BAYERN MUNICH
Thomas Muller might not be pleasing on the eye, but his effectiveness and consistent performances can be matched only by a select few.
Capable of playing in various attacking positions, the Germany international has been widely appreciated for his match intelligence, positional awareness and ability off-the-ball movements. Muller has described his role as a "Raumdeuter", or a space interpreter; a term that has been received well.
The 31-year old registered 21 assists in the Bundesliga last season, as Bayern Munich romped to a treble; Muller played a vital role in all three competitions.
#1 TONI KROOS - REAL MADRID
One of the best midfielders in world football right now, Toni Kroos is Real Madrid and Germany's metronome.
Kroos joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 for €25 million, and has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos. An excellent passer with phenomenal vision and the ability to dictate play, Kroos is seen as the ideal example of a deep-lying playmaker.
The 30-year old continues to play a key role for both club and country, pulling strings from midfield and finding his teammates with accurate passes.
