5 qualities of a modern midfield maestro

Modified Dec 06, 2011 13:45 GMT

His silky dribbling and important game-winning goals have made him a household name. But there are some facets of his game which have been overshadowed by his other noticeable skills. This article aims at that part of the unassuming midfielder.

Versatility

There are very few players above him when it comes to being a complete footballer. His attacking and dribbling skills may be well known, but his defensive and tackling skills are equally effective. He was used by manager Rejkaard as a defensive Midfielder, winger and even left back. But for his height, he would have been deployed as central defender too.

“I played him as a false winger, central midfielder, deep midfielder and just behind the striker and he was always excellent.”

Let’s just say- If he was born in Cruyff era of ‘Total Football’, he would fit in just like that.

Loyal Catalonian

There are certain players in world football who are committed for life to a club, which they started their career with (Ryan Giggs, Iker casillas and Carles Puyol are some of them). He belongs to that breed of men. During the summer of 2007, Real Madrid, reportedly, were ready to pay 60 Million Euros to have his services. Everyone but a few raised their eyebrows. But, he rubbished all those talks, saying-

“I’ve been told about that and I’m very surprised. I can’t do anything about it but I’d like to insist once again that I want to stay here. When I say I want to retire in Barça, I say it with all my heart. And my wishes are above everything else.”

That offer turned out to be blessing in disguise for him, as Barca finally realized his true worth. He was, at last, provided position of his own and thus, began the Barca’s most fabled midfield alliance.

Also, much unlike his physical attire & nature, he is nicknamed ‘Don’ among Catalan supporters, indicating how much respect he commands from them.

Holistic Vision (Literally)

When I say ‘Holistic Vision’, it is nothing about what he wants to do with his life after football. I am, instead, referring to the literal meaning of it. Observing some of his passes, it seems as though he possess a rear view mirror. It is this gift that allows him to come with his trademark turns & moves like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3ylaVJeWebc

Through ball specialist (by far the most noticed)

As a player and viewer, I was always fascinated by defence splitting through passes. So in 2003/04 season, when I watched him invent goal scoring opportunities with his clever passes, I immediately fell in love with this game. He has this uncanny knack of deceiving the defenders while at the same time reading his teammates’ moves to perfection.

Some might have a different opinion, but when it comes through passes in the final one-third, I personally opine he betters everyone – Xavi included.

Strike force

His highest tally of goals in a season has been paltry nine, which he scored way back in 06-07 season. But, this only explains his reluctance to take shot at the goals than his inferior shooting skills. Because, when you look at some of his clinical finishes like this, you surely acknowledge that he may not possess a striker’s instincts but he certainly has a striker’s abilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=S7vMUbV-yKI

More than anything else, the human in him stands taller. After scoring the winning goal at WC’10 he removed his Jersey to pay tribute to one of his Laliga playmates Daniel Jarque, who had accidently passed away of a heart attack.