The changing role of the modern central defender

With more teams now choosing to operate with only one central striker, we’ve seen the increase in the number of major clubs playing with one natural centre-back alongside a central-midfield player at the heart of the back-four.

We’ve seen Barcelona use the likes of Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano in this role to great effect, while Manchester United played Michael Carrick in that position on a number of occasions.

The fact that more and more teams appear to be setting up not to be beaten and packing their midfield, clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United have been able to use the passing qualities of the likes of those aforementioned players to make an extra player in midfield when they are in possession.

This, of course, is not new to the game; back in the mid 1980’s Manchester United used the great Bryan Robson in that position to great effect and the national team experimented with Glen Hoddle, Ray Wilkins and Robson as the second centre-back.

A midfield player playing at centre-back is becoming a common theme, especially at the top end of the game. They can add a lot to their own game in that role and also that of the team in general. Naturally, players playing in this role are technically good on the ball, but they can improve all aspects of their game, such as positioning, heading, tackling, anticipation and game-understanding. Obviously these are some of the things they would do in midfield, but they improve them a lot more when they move back into the defence. In many respects dropping to centre-back can really enhance a midfielder’s game.

The type of midfielder who drops back to centre-back is generally comfortable using either foot and normally has the ability to play great long range passes to the front players. It's not quite the return of the sweeper system that the German’s and Italian’s of the 70’s and 80’s used to great effect, but it’s the closest you will get with a two player centre-back pairing.

More importantly, perhaps, it will force the opposition to consider whether they can leave teams with a spare player at the back as they look to match up player-for-player. There will either be more space further up the field for their midfielders and strikers to exploit, or teams will have to drop off and give them time to play out from the back.

Alternatively, there will be room for the central defenders to step into the opposition territory, a tactic regularly adopted by Barcelona. Teams playing this way possess a tactical variety that can prove crucial in tightly contested games. There are few finer sights in football than a clipped or driven 50-yard through-ball that catches out a rearguard and sends a striker through on goal, let alone when it’s played by a defender stepping into the middle of the field.

If this trend is going to be the future in the modern game, then surely as a nation we should be looking to develop more defenders who are equipped with the technical ability to play equally as well in midfield or at centre-back.

The modern centre-back isn’t just about tackling and defending; it’s also about getting the ball down and playing. Starting the attacks from the back is very much a feature of the modern game, and it goes without saying that you need players with the right technical ability, concentration and game-craft to operate in that position.

The role of the centre-back is evolving all the time, players in this position now need to intercept passes more and have the athleticism and spatial awareness of a midfielder. There is far less heading of the ball at the top end of the game, so you don’t always need the conventional tall centre-back.

Flawed central defenders now really have nowhere to hide. In the modern game everything and everyone is analysed all the time, teams will identify players who are not comfortable in possession and target and exploit their weaknesses. Powerful centre-backs that lack technical qualities and cannot adapt could see their career prospects ruined.

What are the implications for coaches?

• Should we look to produce more centre-backs who can play out effectively from the back?
• Likewise, should we develop more midfielders who can also operate in defence?
• Should more sessions be geared towards producing a more holistic all-round player?

Article image courtesy of Jed Leicester/BPI/REX.

This article was first published in The Boot Room magazine in April 2012.