Defensive midfielders are the unsung heroes of football, the silent engines driving a team’s success. While strikers and creative playmakers often receive accolades and dominate headlines, defensive midfielders play an equally pivotal role by providing stability, structure, and tactical discipline. However, some players in this role remain overlooked despite their exceptional contributions. This article explores the characteristics of underrated defensive midfielders, their influence on modern football, and why they deserve more recognition.
The Underappreciated Role of Defensive Midfielders
Football, by nature, celebrates the spectacular—goals, assists, and moments of brilliance. Defensive midfielders operate in a less visible position to the casual viewer. Their contributions are subtle but critical: intercepting passes, breaking up opposition attacks, and ensuring positional balance. They work tirelessly to shield their defence while providing a platform for attacking players to flourish.
Despite their importance, defensive midfielders often remain in the background. Their role demands humility, discipline, and an acceptance that their best performances may go unnoticed by fans and pundits. This lack of recognition has given rise to many underrated defensive midfielders, whose careers merit closer inspection and greater appreciation.
The demands placed on defensive midfielders have evolved significantly in recent years. Previously, players in this position were viewed primarily as destroyers, tasked with breaking up play and providing defensive cover. Today, defensive midfielders are expected to possess technical proficiency, tactical intelligence, and leadership skills.
Modern football has also introduced hybrid roles, where defensive midfielders double as deep-lying playmakers or even auxiliary defenders. This shift has highlighted players like Rodri (Manchester City) and Casemiro (Manchester United), who excel in multiple facets of the game. However, traditional defensive midfielders, who focus solely on shielding the defence, often remain overlooked despite their continued importance.
Defining Characteristics of an Underrated Defensive Midfielder
The term “underrated” in football does not imply a lack of skill but a rather insufficient acknowledgement of a player’s contributions. Defensive midfielders often find themselves labelled as underrated due to several unique aspects of their gameplay:
- Positional Discipline
These players demonstrate an uncanny ability to read the game and position themselves effectively, preventing opposition attacks before they materialize. They focus not on chasing the ball but on occupying spaces critical to disrupting the opponent’s tactics. - Interception and Tackling Expertise
Defensive midfielders have perfected the art of breaking up play. They disrupt the opponent’s momentum and regain possession for their team through precision tackles and well-timed interceptions. - Ball Retention and Distribution
The ability to retain possession under pressure and distribute the ball with accuracy is a hallmark of great defensive midfielders. Whether executing short passes to maintain rhythm or long balls to initiate counterattacks, their passing range is often underappreciated. - Stamina and Mental Resilience
Operating in a physically demanding position requires exceptional stamina and mental fortitude. Defensive midfielders must remain focused for the entire duration of a match, knowing that a single mistake could have dire consequences.
The Invisible Impact on Team
The contributions of underrated defensive midfielders often extend beyond individual performances. Their presence enhances overall team dynamics by:
- Strengthening Defensive Cohesion: They provide an additional layer of protection for center-backs, reducing the frequency of defensive errors.
- Facilitating Transitions: Their quick decision-making ensures smooth transitions from defence to attack, particularly in high-pressure situations.
- Maintaining Tactical Shape: By staying disciplined and prioritizing positional awareness, they enable the team to maintain its structure, even against aggressive opposition.
One of the most telling signs of their influence is the imbalance that arises in a team’s performance when they are absent.
Examples of Some Underrated Defensive Midfielders
While history has celebrated players like Claude Makélélé and Sergio Busquets, many exceptional defensive midfielders have flown under the radar. Below are three notable examples:
1. Esteban Cambiasso
- Clubs Played For: Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Leicester City
- Key Stats:
- Over 50 interceptions during Inter Milan’s 2009–10 treble-winning season
- Completed 87% of his passes in Serie A during his peak years
Cambiasso was the heartbeat of Inter Milan’s midfield under José Mourinho. Known for his exceptional reading of the game, Cambiasso would anticipate opposition moves, often positioning himself to intercept crucial passes. His ability to dictate the tempo of play and his calmness under pressure were instrumental in helping Inter dominate Europe. Despite these contributions, his name is often overshadowed by more glamorous teammates like Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito.
2. Mohammed Elneny
- Club: Arsenal
- Key Stats:
- Averaged 91% pass completion rate in the 2020–21 Premier League season
- Played a vital role in Arsenal’s Europa League campaigns
Elneny is a quintessential team player, often stepping up during injury crises or when other first-choice players underperform. His ability to play simple yet effective passes allows Arsenal to maintain control in midfield. While not a headline-grabber, his work rate and tactical discipline have earned him admiration from coaches and teammates.
3. Wilfred Ndidi
- Club: Leicester City
- Key Stats:
- Topped the Premier League for tackles in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons
- Recorded over 100 interceptions in the 2020–21 season
Ndidi is one of the most consistent defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His tireless running, physicality, and ability to win aerial duels make him a nightmare for opposition attackers. Leicester City’s ability to punch above their weight in recent years owes much to Ndidi’s performances. Despite this, he rarely receives the same attention as players in top-six clubs.
4. Idrissa Gueye
- Clubs Played For: Everton, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Al-Rayyan
- Key Stats:
- Averaged 4.3 tackles per game during his time at Everton
- Played a key role in PSG reaching the UEFA Champions League final in 2020
Gueye’s relentless energy and tackling ability made him indispensable for Everton and PSG. His ball-recovery skills were on full display during PSG’s 2020 Champions League run, where he consistently disrupted opposition attacks. Gueye’s intelligence in choosing when to press and when to hold his position marks him as a standout in his role.
5. Rodrigo Bentancur
- Clubs Played For: Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur
- Key Stats:
- Averaged 1.9 interceptions per game in the Serie A 2020–21 season
- Completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League 2022–23 season
Bentancur’s technical proficiency, combined with his work rate, makes him one of the most well-rounded defensive midfielders. At Juventus, he played a critical role in recycling possession and breaking up play, often operating as the glue between defence and attack. His underrated status persists, even as he impresses at Tottenham.
6. Nemanja Matić
- Clubs Played For: Chelsea, Manchester United, Roma
- Key Stats:
- Key part of Chelsea’s Premier League-winning campaigns in 2014–15 and 2016–17
- Recorded 114 interceptions and a pass completion rate of 88% during Chelsea’s 2016–17 title-winning season
Matić is the embodiment of consistency. His imposing physical presence and exceptional positional awareness have allowed him to thrive in some of Europe’s most competitive leagues. Though often overshadowed by more flamboyant teammates, Matić’s quiet brilliance has been a cornerstone for every team he has played for.
7. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur
- Key Stats:
- Played every minute of Tottenham’s 2020–21 Premier League campaign
- Recorded over 2,000 passes and 280 recoveries in the same season
Højbjerg brings a level of grit and leadership that is rare in modern football. His ability to break up opposition attacks, coupled with his composure on the ball, makes him a valuable asset. At Tottenham, he has become a midfield general, balancing defensive duties with initiating attacks.
Why Underrated Defensive Midfielders Deserve Recognition
The lack of recognition for defensive midfielders stems largely from the way football narratives are constructed. Fans, media, and analysts are naturally drawn to quantifiable metrics such as goals, assists, and saves. The contributions of defensive midfielders, by contrast, are often intangible and therefore less celebrated.
Recognizing underrated defensive midfielders requires a nuanced understanding of football. Fans and analysts must look beyond statistics and appreciate the subtle ways these players influence matches—whether through positional play, interceptions, or their ability to dictate the game’s tempo.
Conclusion
Football thrives on balance, and no position embodies this principle more than defensive midfield. The contributions of underrated defensive midfielders extend far beyond the obvious, providing the foundation upon which successful teams are built.
By shining a spotlight on these players and acknowledging their importance, we can ensure that the role of the defensive midfielder is celebrated as it deserves to be. As fans, the challenge lies in recognizing and appreciating the invisible work that defines this position—because sometimes, the greatest impact is the one you don’t immediately see.