Stemming from that, I've seen the continued rise of players like Bastian Schweinsteiger, which had me thinking...
How often is it that we see a player change his position, some times with the help of a wise coach, to good effect?
Well let's have a look.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Schweini started out as a winger, then played as a forward [or just behind the main striker] before moving to the holding/defensive role he now calls his own. The more central role was given to him, by default, to accommodate Robben and Ribery as wide men. Then an injury to Ballack just before FWC 2010 meant that Germany needed a man to sit infront of the back four [alongside Khedira who was also rather unknown at the time] and Bastian stuck his hand up high!
Honestly, I cannot see him playing anywhere else right now. That's how comfortable and 'in place' he looks in the CDM role.
Lukas Podolski
Another German who finds himself in somewhat unfamiliar territory, when running out for Germany, is Poldi. The 4-2-3-1 formation coupled with Klose/Gomez as the options up front, means Polish born Lukas has to play down the left side of a three-pronged midfield. He does this with aplomb though and is not out of his depth despite his natural role being as a striker/forward. This versatility could well benefit Arsene/Arsenal if they opt to change things up and adapt the same style/formation as ze Germans.
Jordi Alba
Spoken about this guy at length. Worth another mention. A product of the Barca youth system, off-loaded and now plys his trade at Los Che. Initially a winger [of note]...tricky, quick and an eye for goal. Found it difficult to break through ahead of Mata and Silva, at the time, and Unai Emery wisely opted to try him at LB. Alba obliged and fought off the competition of Mathieu to make the LB berth his own.
Alba's quality for club soon became noticed by Vicente Del Bosque who has now found his starting player at left fullback.
How well this has worked for young Jordi. Honestly, if he was still [just] a winger, i doubt he'd have made the Spain squad for this Euro's, secondly, he wouldn't have FC Barcelona and MUFC vying for his signature as they seek a replacement for Eric Abidal/Patrice Evra in defense.
Lucas Leiva
When LFC signed him from Gremio, Lucas was very much still in the attacking frame of mind when it came to playing in midfield. He was also up against some astute engine-room generals in Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard, so found life rather difficult in working on his potential and/or getting sufficient game time. As time progressed and the likes of Xabi Alonso and Mascherano departed, he was deployed in a more defensive/holding role, which we can all agree did not go too well for the Brasileiro. Last season however, was arguably his best to date, and despite picking up a long term injury in December, Lucas form had improved and he was rather dominant in their holding role. Definitely looks like he has adapted now and that we'll see more quality from him in the defensive role.
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There are a few players who haven't quite adapted that well.
Stand up.
Alan Smith
For some reason, when Keano departed, Sir Alex Ferguson got the idea of playing Smudger in midfield into his head and believed this was a wise decision. It wasn't. Yeah, Alan isn't the most prolific of goalscorers, but he really wasn't good in midfield either. He was hard-working and could tackle, but he wasn't good at holding up the ball, which is ideally what a holding midfielder needs to do. When Ruud left, SAF realising the error of his ways, was quoted saying he would return Smith to his striker role. What's funnier is that we shipped him off to Newcastle United and the Magpies tried to use him in midfield as well. Not smart.
Anderson
Personally feel Ando is another player who has come up short in the whole confusion as to what type of midfielder he is and where SAF plays him. Also an ex Gremio player [before moving to FC Porto], the lad was seen as one of the finest creative/attacking young-midfielders about when MUFC signed him. What do we do? Turn him into a holding/defensive midfield. Anderson has an eye for a pass, great work rate and can tackle, so maybe it made sense...or maybe we should just have let him play in the creative role, where we were and still are [not taking the Kagawa signing into consideration] lacking. It does seem his number is up and he could be farmed out in the summer, which is a shame.
We could look at the likes of John O'Shea or Phil Neville, but to me they're more 'do a job for the gaffer' type players rather than ones who can change position and make it their own with chips.
Special mention to Javier Mascherano who not only showed great determination as a centre-half for FCB, but also a measure of discipline in that role.
I'm sure there are others we could look at. Do mention them in the comments section.
Trivia Question: Which former Urban Warriors player started off as a striker, but found himself playing LB towards the end of his career at the club?
[He is one of few to have played for Hellenic and Santos as well]
Thanks for joining me.
It's not easy reinventing yourself.
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