The importance of a playmaker

The name itself is a pointer to what the word indicates. In the game of football, the playmaker takes the position in the center of the field. He creates chances and distributes passes for defence as well as the offense. The style of play, whether it is tiki-taka or the long ball game, starts with the playmaker and concludes with him. The playmaker is the man who is playing in midfield, whether it is attacking or defending, differentiated by the team he plays for. Some countries prefer playmakers in defensive midfield whereas others on the offensive. Whatever it is, the man chosen for this job is gifted with fine dribbling, passing and shooting skills. The divine vision and reading of the game is all perceived by the so called playmaker. The playmakers in English clubs are mainly known for their ability to provide long passes that pick out players making attacking runs.

In the football world, we have had and still have good examples of playmakers, like Michel Platini, Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, etc. The essence of their game is to keep the ball in their control and pass it to a striker or a winger. Assisting the ball to the forward is an art and executing it at the right place and time just adds beauty to a possible goal. An assist by a player is as responsible for the goal scored as the goal-scorer. And they should be credited. After all, they are the ones initiating the attack, which is eventually given a proper finishing touch by a striker.

They are also designated equally in the defensive department, intercepting passes from opposition playmakers while creating chances for their team. Controlling the defence as well as offence seriously is a tedious task to complete, and definitely deserves a lot of praise. They are often mobile players on and off the ball. Their quality of passing, and their anticipation of the next pass serves as the key ingredient in their game. In the world of football, the number 10 jersey is famous, and the answer for this is surely because this significant number is acquired by the playmakers.