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When it comes to rating the finest attackers in football, people are quick to make their judgements simply based on the number of goals and assists. They often forget that versatility is also an important quality attackers should possess.
The ability to play and impress in multiple positions across the offensive half is not appreciated enough in the sport. Yet players who possess this quality end up proving to be huge assets for their clubs, especially when injury crises strike. That is why managers are more likely to appreciate versatile attackers than fans.
The football world is blessed with several incredible attackers who have proved to be efficient playing in multiple positions across the offensive half of the pitch.
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Tearing opposition defences apart on the flanks, cutting inside the box to create havoc and dropping deep to help in build-up play, these players are the perfect definition of what is called 'Jack of all trades, master of some'. On that note, here's a look at five such players:
#5 Memphis Depay
Barcelona winger Memphis Depay ranks among the most versatile attackers in the game at the moment. It is an open secret that the Dutchman's ability to impress in multiple positions in attack is a key reason why Ronald Koeman went all out to secure his signature this summer.
The 27-year-old has played as a striker, left winger and as an attacking midfielder so far in his career. Depay has an impressive record of 146 goals and 95 assists to his name across spells with PSV, Manchester United, Olympique Lyon and Barcelona.
Depay made his first appearance for the Blaugrana following his switch to Camp Nou this summer, in the La Liga opener against Real Sociedad. He contributed an assist in that game and followed that up with another brilliant display against Athletic Bilbao, where he scored his first goal in the Blaugrana shirt.
#4 Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa took Serie A by storm with his incredible performances last season. Signed by Juventus on a two-year loan deal in October 2020, many didn't think Chiesa would survive in the Bianconeri's star-studded squad.
However, he has been able to prove them wrong, thanks to his versatility. The attacker played across multiple positions on the pitch last season, including either flank of the offensive line, both wings of midfield as well as a striker. He finished the campaign with 15 goals and 11 assists to his name across all competitions.
Chiesa's eye-catching performances earned him a call-up to Italy's squad for the European Championship this summer, where he scored twice to help the Azzurri win the continental crown.
#3 Ousmane Dembele
Barcelona superstar Ousmane Dembele is one of the most versatile attackers in the game right now. He has played as a winger on both flanks, a centre-forward, a right-wing midfielder and behind the striker across spells with the Blaugrana, Borussia Dortmund, Stade Rennais and France.
Dembele's versatility isn't just about playing multiple positions. Whatever the Frenchman does with his right foot, he does with the left as well,l and can pull off any trick in any area of the pitch. The fact that the attacker has scored 30 goals in the Barcelona shirt so far, with 15 coming off either foot, says a lot about his versatility.
#2 Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo is arguably the most versatile player in the game at the moment. What the Spaniard does on the pitch is simply unimaginable. He has played in nine separate roles so far in his career, and has done a great job in every one of them.
The 23-year-old originally played as an attacking midfielder for RB Leipzig, but he has, over the years, played as a striker, second striker and on both flanks of attack. He has also dropped to the centre on multiple occasions and functioned on either wing of the midfield, as an attacking midfielder and as a defensive midfielder as well.
The Spaniard joined RB Leipzig in January last year, and has already bagged 12 goals and 13 assists for the Bundesliga side in 61 appearances across competitions.
#1 Antoine Griezmann
Placing Antoine Griezmann at the top of the list was a very easy decision. The Barcelona forward has proved to be a beast when it comes to handling multiple roles on the pitch over the last couple of years.
The Frenchman largely plays behind the centre-forward as an attacking midfielder or supporting striker, but he has spent most of his time in Catalonia playing from the left flank. Griezmann has also featured as a striker in his career, notably during spells with Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid. In his two games for Barcelona so far this season, he has been deployed as a right winger.
Apart from taking up multiple positions on the pitch, the 30-year-old also impresses in performing defensive duties. He covers almost all areas of the pitch, making vital tackles and throwing his body against all sorts of incoming opposition shots.
