Top ten players who can fill in at different positions.10) James Milner (Manchester City)
A reliable performer in a number of positions, it remains unclear what exactly James Milner’s best role is for Manchester City and for the England national team. After starting out as a winger earlier in his career, Milner arguably found his best form during his time at previous club Aston Villa when played centrally. He has even filled in as a full-back in recent times, and for all his quality going forward, it is his battling qualities and work rate that are usually put to use when he’s asked to fill more defensive roles.
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Cuadrado Man Utd
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9) Phil Jones (Manchester United)
A player coming into some criticism of late for being something of a jack of all trades and a specialist in none, it remains to be seen where Phil Jones’ career will pan out for him at this stage. The 22-year-old is perhaps primarily a centre-back, but his energetic performances saw him shine at right-back earlier in his Old Trafford career. Jones has also filled in in defensive midfield though he perhaps lacks the composure on the ball and range of passing to play the role effectively at this level.
8) Alex Song (West Ham United)
Another player arguably yet to truly find himself in his best position, it will be interesting to see what role Alex Song plays for West Ham United this season as the former Arsenal man joins on loan from Barcelona. The Cameroon international started out at full-back as a youngster, but made his name as a defensive midfielder for the Gunners. He was later highly effective as the team’s main playmaker, enjoying an impressive season in 2011/12 when his superb range of passing and assists record helped Arsene Wenger’s side fill the void left by Cesc Fabregas. However, then joined Barca and was used mostly at centre-back, where he also filled in at times for Arsenal.
7) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
A superb attacking player, Alexis Sanchez’s strength comes in his ability to play upfront or in a variety of attacking midfield roles. Arsenal have used him on the right flank and upfront so far, and he also filled in on the left-hand side whilst at his previous club Barcelona and sometimes as a ‘number 10’ in Serie A with Udinese. Sanchez will no doubt play wherever needed for the Gunners and should do a fine job wherever Arsene Wenger puts him.
6) Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is another player who could do with holding down one position on a regular basis after moving around a lot in his career so far. The England international started out as an inverted winger as a youngster, cutting onto his favoured left foot from the right-hand side to good effect at youth level. However, in senior games Wilshere has mostly played centrally, though he can operate either as a defensive midfielder or further forward as a playmaker in the Cesc Fabregas mould. Perhaps a victim of his own versatility, Wilshere’s career has not progressed as hoped, and he needs to find some consistency and a specialist position.
5) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
A player whose career has completely transformed due to a number of positional changes, mostly leading to vast improvements the further forward he has played. Gareth Bale looked a total flop as a left-back earlier in his career with Tottenham Hotspur, before Harry Redknapp saw some potential in moving him forward to left midfield. Bale shone as a winger, improving vastly in his final few seasons at White Hart Lane, and was then even given a free role behind the main striker under Andre Villas-Boas. Now mainly playing on the right flank at Real Madrid, Bale simply looks a world class talent in any attacking midfield role.
4) Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Now regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, Yaya Toure has played almost everywhere on the pitch in his career so far. The Manchester City man now looks best suited to a free attacking role from a central position, but initially came to the club as a defensive midfielder as that is where he mostly played for Barcelona, though he occasionally did a good job at centre-back for the Catalan giants as well. Even earlier in his career Toure played as a striker, and supposedly failed a trial at Arsenal after failing to convince Arsene Wenger in the centre-forward position.
3) Daley Blind (Manchester United)
Manchester United’s new signing Daley Blind could fill about three different roles for the Red Devils this season as he arrives from Ajax to help his new club’s defensive crisis. Playing mostly as a left-sided wing-back for the Netherlands this summer, Blind may provide good cover for the injured Luke Shaw in that role, though United could also do with the qualities he can provide at centre-back or defensive midfield. Blind should prove a highly useful utility player for the club and looks a good addition by Louis van Gaal.
2) Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
One of the most talked about players in this summer’s transfer window, Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado has enjoyed a superb rise recently after being moved further forward by his club. However, the Colombian international was targeted by both Manchester United and Barcelona due to his ability to play as a wing-back on either side. Still, Cuadrado’s superb attacking ability means that he is perhaps best used on either side of a front three or even in a central role behind the main striker. Much will depend on who signs him next, but Cuadrado seems to have plenty of potential in a number of positions in the near future.
1) Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich’s inspirational captain and recent World Cup winner with Germany before his international retirement, Philipp Lahm is certainly up there with the most versatile players in the world – and one who truly excels wherever he is asked to play. After starting his career as an attack-minded left-back cutting in on his favoured right foot, Lahm is arguably now most at home as a right-back, though Pep Guardiola has also sung his praises in a new defensive midfield role in recent times.