The deep-lying playmaker. The ‘quarterback’. Or, as the Italians – a nation with a deep and enduring love for the position and the players which conduct the game from it – call it, the regista. There are plenty of names for the type of deep midfielder who occupies the sort of zone where snarling midfield battlers ply their trade, but instead devote their energies to dictating the play from deep. Still, however they’re named, the footballing world is currently that of the regista. From Spain, where Xavi and Xabi Alonso work their magic, to Italy, where the cerebral Andrea Pirlo still rules the midfield, to the rising power of Germany and their bright young talents like Ilkay Gundogan and Nuri Sahin, deep-lying playmakers have occupied the hearts, minds and most importantly the midfields of millions of football fans across Europe. Even the tactical backwaters of Britain have been somewhat turbulent with the splash the rise of the regista has caused in European football. Michael Carrick, a player maligned to the point of being scapegoated for losses, has been holding Manchester United’s midfield together for years now. This season, he’s finally got the recognition he deserves, with pundits and fans alike hailing his brilliant, commanding displays from the base of United’s midfield as they swept to their 20th league title. Even more encouragingly, he’s no longer part of a select group of registas holding out against the British prevalence of favouring energetic, muscular box-to-box jack-of-all-trades in midfield. Now, in addition to stalwarts like Carrick, clubmate Paul Scholes and Mikel Arteta, there is a huge upswell of players whose job it is to treasure possession and split defences from deep. Dots&Crosses takes a look at some of them, and considers who can lay claim to the title of ‘best in the Prem’. ——————————————————————————————————————————————————— A new arrival at Swansea this year, Ki settled into the lineup immediately and began putting in impressive displays. His first, and easily most standout stat, is that of his pass success %. 92.7 % is a figure beaten only by three others in Europe, let alone Britain; Bayern’s defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, something of a statistical anomaly in Torino’s centre-back Angelo Ogbonna, and at the top, beating Ki’s figure by only 2.2%, Xavi. Ki’s impressive statistics continue with two assists, 1.1 key passes per match and the highest accurate long ball % amongst all of our candidates. Ki isn’t just retaining the ball, he’s doing plenty with it, and such an excellent array of all-round passing statistics boosts his cause greatly. On the other end of the scale, he’s also the weakest of all of our candidates without the ball by far, putting in only 2.3 tackles or interceptions on average per game and yet also fouling the opponent 0.9 times on average per game. When used alongside Leon Britton it is something of a problem; when used alongside driving midfielder Julian De Guzman, it borders on the match-deciding. http://dotsandcrosses.wordpress.com...a-statistical-look-at-premier-leagues-finest/
well, he has what we need. a bit unnerving that swansea are letting him go, but as bri said, there are lots of players who get shipped out if they don't suit a manager and or their style of play. doesn't mean they're ****e overnight. as long as he's not a crock, he would be a massive improvement on what we have prsently for that role. hopefuly it's a loan to buy this time....
Funny thing actually, because Giaccherini wasn't in the Juventus-starter eleven either. Do you think he is **** too?
He looks good and seems to fit what PDC is after... Other than that 'has to be English' part... I'd be happy with Cabral and Ki in the middle!
was good at celtic in a more advanced role. played deeper for swansea last year and was ineffective. i would rather we didn't thank you, paolo.
16 minutes ago @pjcadden Michael Laudrup says no deal agreed for Ki Sung-Yueng to join Sunderland yet. But clear player wants to play so move could happen.
Ki is a good player but can be very frustrating also. He always seems very indecisive on the ball. Got a cracking shot on him but it literally always gets blocked! Didn't score for us last year but was unlucky not to do so. He was an important player last year in a rotation system. We would usually start with Britton as he is the better player (I don't understand why some of you slate him, he's one of the best footballers at our club) then if losing or drawing a winnable game at home, we would bring ki on as he offered a more attacking threat from a deeper position. We've strengthened our midfield quite a bit over the summer though and ki is now probably 5th choice behind shelvey, Britton, de Guzman and canas. (Not including Michu or pozuelo as they are more advanced midfield roles). I would be pretty surprised if we were to loan him out however as with Europe, one or two injuries in key positions could spell trouble. You will be getting a decent player, but not someone who is going to light up the prem. He is going to be the one that keeps the move flowing and linking up the play. Sorry for such a long post, good luck for the season all!
That's exactly what we need, our deeper midfielders just aren't linking with the advanced midfielders down the middle of the park. It was a problem last season and from the fulham game it's still a problem. We are playing a RM in that role and it just isn't working.
He is a top notch feeder of the ball what isn't first choice at swansea? he isn't good for swansea then he isn't good for us & yes he can pass a ball well but by the look of it he hasn't got the keys to open a door. I'm david not kev.
My comments mean nothing when i'm being abusive, i need bitty, when i dont get it i'm stoopit, sometimes i talk sense, see yers after me napp, i might be alrigt 4 halhp an our 2mooro
Of course there is, but it's the same principle. Even though a player doesn't match his teams' playstyle doesn't mean he won't fit into another team and do a good job there. And also, don't forget that it's a loan move we're talking about. If the loan-deal contains a view to a permanent deal, it'll be a win-win situation. I don't see the problem, honestly..
PDC Effect. Is there a place I can go to worship you? You've had the thick ****s life today. So has everyone but you've surpassed yourself.
