A look at ten more big names who changed position to great success after a new role for Arsenal star Santi Cazorla in the 2014/15 season…
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Moving Santi Cazorla from the wing to a deep-lying midfield role has proven one of the masterstrokes of the season for Arsenal, with the Spaniard showing a new dimension to his game and earning the Man of the Match award for the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa. After this superb change from Cazorla, here are some others who shone when moved into a new position…
1) Gareth Bale
Starting out at left-back with Tottenham Hotspur, Gareth Bale did not look anywhere near becoming the world beater he is today, with Harry Redknapp being the first to try him further forward on the left flank, and later the right. Andre Villas-Boas then give him a free role just behind the main striker and Bale is now good enough that he doesn’t really have a nailed down position.
2) Thierry Henry
Brought to Arsenal after an unconvincing spell on the wing for Juventus, Thierry Henry was given his chance up front by Arsene Wenger in what became one of the masterstrokes of the century, as the Frenchman became one of the finest forwards of his generation.
3) Andrea Pirlo
Misused at Inter Milan earlier in his career, Andrea Pirlo was initially played as a striker at the San Siro, and sometimes as an attacking midfielder or number ten. It was not until playing under Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan that Pirlo moved further back, becoming one of the best deep-lying playmakers of all time.
4) Lionel Messi
A player who has always had a great degree of freedom to roam on the pitch, Lionel Messi spent his early days at Barcelona on the right flank, looking a terrific prospect. However, it was not until Pep Guardiola moved him centrally into a ‘false 9’ role that his career really exploded and he established himself as one of the best players of all time. Interestingly, Messi has been moved back onto the right to good effect by Luis Enrique this season.
5) Philipp Lahm
Often used as a left-back in his early days, Philipp Lahm was always fairly comfortable in either full-back role, even if he is now more well known for being world class at right-back. However, Guardiola again used some imagination and turned him into a very effective defensive midfielder when he joined Bayern Munich.
6) Yaya Toure
A player who has moved position many times, Yaya Toure notably failed a trial at Arsenal as a youngster, looking ineffective as a striker. Later a defensive midfielder, the Ivorian was even used at centre-back in his Barcelona days, though he found his true calling at Manchester City as an attacking midfielder with freedom to break forward.
7) Kolo Toure
Another of Arsene Wenger’s discoveries, Kolo Toure’s early days at Arsenal were spent either at right-back or right-midfield, though the decision to move him to centre-back in 2003/04 proved a masterstroke as his rock solid displays helped the team win the title unbeaten.
8) Cesar Azpilicueta
Starting out as a right-back for Chelsea, Cesar Azpilicueta never looked like becoming a truly outstanding player, but somehow a move to left-back under Jose Mourinho has really seen him come into his own, beating both Ashley Cole and Filipe Luis to become first choice in the last two seasons.
9) Emmanuel Petit
Brought to Arsenal as a decent left-back, Emmanuel Petit’s strong defensive displays and good range of passing saw him tried out in central midfield for the Gunners, where he formed one of the great all-time partnerships with Patrick Vieira.
10) Vincent Kompany
Initially a midfielder when he joined Manchester City, Vincent Kompany did not particularly impress in that role in his early days with the club, though he excelled as a defender, becoming one of the best centre-backs in the world for a few years.
