Position

The midfielder who sits in front of the defence, breaks up attacks, and gives the ball to more creative players. Also called a defensive midfielder or number 6. Makélélé, Kanté, and Busquets are the famous examples - they make their teams work through positioning and winning the ball back. The job has evolved, and now holding midfielders are expected to pass well too, not just destroy.

A winger on the opposite flank to their dominant foot - right-footer on the left, left-footer on the right. When they cut inside, they're on their stronger foot to shoot or pass across goal. Similar to an inside forward but might still provide width and use trivela crosses. Became standard once managers realized wingers could score as well as create.

A midfielder who arrives late into the penalty area to score. Not the same as a shadow striker who plays behind the forward - the box crasher starts deeper and times runs to arrive just as the ball comes in. Lampard was the original, but Gündoğan, Bellingham, and Rice all do it now. Getting into the box without the ball is an underrated skill.

A full-back who moves inside into midfield instead of staying wide, letting the winger provide width. Guardiola made it famous with Cancelo and Walker at City. The idea is to overload the middle of the pitch, keep the ball better, and create triangles that are hard to press. It changes the shape completely - a 4-3-3 becomes something like a 3-2-2-3 when you have the ball.

The central defender who stops attackers, wins headers, and organizes the back line. Now they also need to be comfortable with the ball, play out under pressure, and read the game to intercept. Great partnerships matter: Ferdinand-Vidić, Puyol-Piqué, Van Dijk-Matip. The job has changed because possession football needs centre-backs who can pass, not just defend.