The Best Defensive Midfielders Ever To Play Soccer

Despite the importance and emphasis placed on skills and creativity in the modern game of soccer, the role of the defensive midfielder can often make the difference between winning and losing. They can prevent the opposition from playing and begin attacks for their own team with a tackle and a pass.

Regularly playing a part in a two or three man central midfield, the defensive midfielder can also be known as the anchor-man or holding player. There are many different types of defensive midfielder with some relying solely on tackling while others use their ability to pass, much like American Football's quarter-backs.

Some of the best defensive midfielders in the game have included Gilberto Silva, Gennaro Gattuso and Javier Mascherano. The position is popular in the modern game as teams often deploy wingers and rely on the defensive midfielder to break up opposition attacks and feed the wide players, who play as additional attackers.

One of the best players to have performed this role, embodies the skills required to play as the holding midfielder. Playing as the defensive midfielder for Chelsea, Real Madrid and France, Claude Makelele is the perfect example of the understated role of the anchor-man. He rarely ventured forward and allowed the more creative talents of Zidane, Robben and Pires to play freely and expressively.

Makelele has won almost every major honour in his club career, including the UEFA Champions League, two La Liga titles, two Premier League titles and the FA Cup. Despite playing for France from 1995 to 2008, Makelele missed out on their FIFA World cup and European Championship winning campaigns of 1998 and 2000 respectively.

Makelele has often been described by his team mates as being the best player, but also that people rarely notice him. These compliments are made by some of the world's greatest including Zidane, Raul and Henry and show that Makelele is a player's favourite as he allows others to take the glory.

Makelele often played for France with another exceptional defensive midfielder, Arsenal, Juventus and Inter's Patrick Vieira. Vieira arrived at Arsenal in 1996 following just two appearances for AC Milan, going on to play almost 300 games in a successful nine year period.

Vieira breaks the mould of the Makelele-style midfielder with his height, speed and ability to pass added to his fierce tackling and excellent reading of the game. Vieira would form a vital part of Arsene Wenger's formidable Arsenal midfield that would win three Premier League titles and four FA Cups (with two league and cup doubles).

For France, Vieira would become part of the French midfield that would win the FIFA World Cup and European Championships with Zidane, Deschamps, Petit, Pires et al. Vieira has regularly found himself in trouble with referees as his tough tackling and complete commitment found him sent off twelve times in his career. Vieira would have a long running feud with the third of the best defensive midfielders ever to play soccer, Manchester United and Republic of Ireland's Roy Keane.

Keane is famous for his aggression, competitiveness and tackling, though he should also be known for his abilities as a leader and footballer. Keane's determination has often landed him in similar trouble as Vieira, including a hideous tackle of Manchester City's Alf Inge Haaland after the Norwegian had apparently injured Keane in a previous game.

Keane led United to multiple league and cup wins, seven Premier Leagues, four FA Cups and one UEFA Champions League as well as many more trophies. Keane would play for Ireland at World Cups and had a row with a manager and then left the squad or got dropped or something. Keane would continue to play at club level but retired to become a manager for Sunderland United.

Defensive midfielders must be defensive and play in midfield. It really is that simple. Midfielders are traditionally good passers, tacklers and all-round footballers. Defensive midfielders have changed this role slightly to be more like a defender while still playing midfield. And so the defensive midfielder is born.