7 footballers whose careers have been affected due to being played out of position

The ever-evolving game of football means that flexibility can be a key attribute for the world’s top stars and those players can often become key assets for their respective teams. However, in some cases, that positional adaptability can be to the detriment of the player’s development and has prevented a number of talented individuals from reaching the peak of their powers.It might not necessarily stop them from achieving great things in the game, but could still prove to be a real stumbling block for them unleashing their real talent. This is arguably a bigger problem for the current generation now more than ever.Here are seven fantastic players currently victimised by their own versatility:

#7 Allesandro Florenzi (AS Roma)

Utility man Allesandro Florenzi has amassed an impressive 19 appearances as AS Roma look to end Juventus’ stranglehold on the Serie A, but the 23-year-old must tie down a regular position if he wants to remain in contention for the Italy national side.

Ideally a box-to-box midfielder, Florenzi has started just one game in a central position this term. He has more commonly been seen on the wings while he has also turned out at right-back on more than one occasion for Rudi Garcia’s men.

Those constant changes have really hurt the Italian’s flow in 2014/15 and is becoming a real problem for him. A move away from the capital could be the best solution for him and could help him relaunch his career as a proper midfielder.

#6 Phil Jones (Manchester United)

Phil Jones has been touted as a future England captain for some years now. Thus far though, the Manchester United star has been unable to realise his potential thanks largely to being played out of position and his frequent injury problems.

At 22, the defender still has plenty of time on his side but he cannot afford to keep getting pushed out to the right-back and defensive midfield positions. Thankfully, new boss Louis van Gaal seems to fully appreciate Jones’ qualities at the heart of defence, which is where he has been used in all 12 appearances of his this term. He has appeared a little shaky, but has persevered to come through.

In terms of average performances, this season has been Jones’ best. Hopefully, he will continue to hold down a central defensive role throughout the coming months and realise his true potential.

#5 James Milner (Manchester City)

The term ‘utility man’ was written for James Milner, who has played in just about every outfield position during his professional career. Whilst that workmanship has gained him much admiration, it has certainly prevented the 29-year-old from unleashing his true potential and establishing himself as a fixture in the team.

Only two outfield players have amassed more appearances for Manchester City this season, but Milner would have wanted more than 11 starts by this stage in the campaign. The picture becomes further damaged by the fact three of those came during his recent spell as a deputy striker.

There is no question that Milner’s talent is appreciated, but his adaptability and game intelligence have definitely held the England man’s progress as a footballer back.

#4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)

Having seen former star Robert Lewandowski swap Dortmund for fierce rivals Bayern Munich last summer, most would have assumed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in line to inherit the throne as BVB’s main man in attack. However, it hasn’t quite gone to plan for both team and player.

The Gabon striker is Dortmund’s top scorer this season, but a return of five goals is still relatively poor for a player of his quality. The speed demon has netted four of those goals whilst playing in central attack, but that hasn’t stopped Jurgen Klopp from shifting him onto the flanks regularly.

Aubameyang has enjoyed a decent career so far. However, at 25, he must now establish himself as one of the world’s top strikers. He is more than capable of doing that, as he proved during his time in France, but must be given a fair crack of the whip in order to do so.

Summer acquisition Ciro Immobile’s failure to hit the ground running at Signal Iduna Park must only add to Aubameyang’s frustrations. If Dortmund want to escape the relegation zone, they must deploy their star man in a central role.

#3 Ibrahim Afellay (Olympiacos)

Once heralded as a future world star, Ibrahim Afellay has been cast into the football wilderness and now finds himself playing at Greek club Olympiacos. That fate has largely been caused by the inability of various managers to determine exactly what his best playing position is.

The Dutch star was sublime for PSV, before a switch to Barcelona put the brakes on his progress. The La Liga giants could never quite decide whether to deploy him as a winger or central attacker and ultimately that prevented him from ever enjoying any real success at the Camp Nou, although it must be said that his recurrent injuries certainly didn’t help.

Afellay’s immense dribbling and passing abilities should have thrust him towards the pinnacle of world football, but his injury problems and the presence of bigger stars such as Messi, Villa and Pedro didn’t let him break into the first team.

#2 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

Arsene Wenger doesn’t spend in excess of £40 million on a single transfer unless that player happens to be one of the best footballers on the planet. Mesut Ozil certainly fits that bill, although his tactical adaptability has often stopped him from showing that on a regular basis.

Ozil is one of the best attacking midfielders in world football and he is capable of operating on either flank as well as in his favoured No.10 role. That central position is where his eye for a killer pass is best utilised. Unfortunately, throughout his career, he has been shipped out wide to accommodate other stars.

It was an issue that thwarted his progress at Real Madrid (although he did very well for the Madrid side) and has continued to cause problems during his spell at the Emirates, with Santi Cazorla often selected to occupy the central berth. Likewise, Ozil is normally the man chosen to fill in out wide for his national side Germany.

Make no mistake; Ozil has still enjoyed a decent career so far, but there is a strong feeling that he could achieve so much more if allowed to play in his preferred position behind the striker.

#1 Adriano Correia (Barcelona)

There aren’t many players who can use both feet as well as Adriano Correia, who is one of football’s genuinely ambidextrous talents, but there are plenty who are currently gaining more game time than the Barcelona star.

Adriano offers perfect cover for a number of Barca’s headline stars and is comfortable on both flanks, in either defence or midfield. Unfortunately, being that ‘perfect squad member’ has come at a cost as the 30-year-old has started just two La Liga matches this term.

Considering that his CV includes a Champions League, two UEFA Cups, two La Liga titles and three Copa del Reys, Adriano’s lack of playing time is nothing short of tragic, but his loyalty to the club has kept his appearances in check.