Play Breakers

The "defensive midfield role" is an under appreciated art form. Breaking up plays, delivering crunching tackles and uncompromising challenges, they are often cast as bad guys. Dismissed as thuggish midfielders devoid of skill, they are seldom recognized for their tactical acumen, positioning, reading of the game and dictating play.

What fans and pundits don't realize is that although every team needs a quality play maker, a championship winning team requires a holding midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game. If we look back to various tournaments the teams that have come out on the top are the ones which are blessed with the presence of a good solid defensive midfielder. Whether it was Brazil in 1994 with Dunga or Gilberto Silva in 2002, both played an important part in Brazil's World Cup Triumphs. Similarly in 2006, it was Rino Gattuso along with Andrea Pirlo who guided Italy to World Cup glory.

In recent times, Manchester United have struggled in Europe, because they still haven't been able to find a solution to this problem position since Owen Hargreaves, who, in his first season with the Red Devils was instrumental in securing the League and Champions League double.

Here is a list of the top 10 defensive midfielders in the world. Although these players may sometimes let the ball or the man go, they definitely won't let both of them through.

10. John Obi Mikel

The defensive midfielder is blessed with an abundance of talent, and started playing professional football at he age of 15. At one point he was considered the brightest prospect in the world behind Lionel Messi. His development has not gone quite as planned, hindered by injuries and a suspect temperament, Mikel is finally coming of age. He played an important part in Chelsea's successful European campaign, providing support to the back four and causing the opposition midfield all sorts of troubles with his relentless running and aggressive tackling. Needless to say if he can continue his current form he may well develop into the world class player he once promised to be.

9. Alex Song

Originally brought in as a utility player to Arsenal, Song quickly established himself as a key member of the current Arsenal team. His game is characterized by his tireless running and ability to read his opposition's play. He provides the perfect covering in front of a fragile back four. He plays a key role in breaking up opponents' attacking moves, shielding the ball and launching counter-attacks. Over the last season he has developed into an integral part of a steadily deteriorating Gunner's side.

8. Javi Martínez

The versatile Spaniard can play in the role of a defensive midfielder as well as a center back. He was a part of the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 winning Spanish team and has established himself as a key member of Athletic Bilbao at just 23 years of age. Known for his tackling and positional awareness, he uses his size and strength to muscle opponents off the ball. Along with good ball control and an excellent passing range he is just the type of holding midfielder that every good side requires.

7. Arturo Vidal

The midfielder enjoyed a terrific debut season with Juventus guiding them to their first Scudetto in almost a decade. Known for his versatility, he can be deployed anywhere in the midfield. His game is characterized by his tireless running and terrier like intensity. He played the perfect foil to Andrea Pirlo in the Juventus side that went undefeated the entire season and was indeed one of the star performers. His long time dream of playing in the Champions League will finally be realized next season and he played a key role in making it happen.

6. Scott Parker

Scott Parker is a technically gifted player and an extremely good passer. His box-to-box running and never-say-die attitude has earned him a lot of admirers. He is fearless in his challenges and never stops running. He even has a neat shot to accompany these qualities and has proven that with a number of spectacular strikes from outside the box. He possesses unquestionable leadership qualities and formed an efficient partnership with Luka Modric last season.

5. Yaya Touré

He was the midfield mainstay for Manchester City in their title winning season last year. He is deployed in the middle of the park due to his immense physical presence and impeccable positioning, but he often moves to more attacking positions during the game. Known for his lung bursting runs from the middle of the park, he is equally good at shooting and passing. He was an integral part of the Barcelona team that won the sextuple in 2009, and has proved his importance to the current Man City squad as they have struggled whenever they have played without him.

4. Sami Khedira

Sami Khedira was a last minute call-up to the German squad to replace an injured Michael Ballack. Those were big boots to fill for anyone but the young midfielder did so with aplomb, forming an instant understanding with Bastian Schweinsteiger (featured further up the list). Khedira is a dynamic midfielder with enviable aerial abilities. He is a tireless runner covering every inch of grass on the field, in his attempts to recover the ball. He is an excellent reader of the game and is often the starting point of numerous counter-attacks.

3. Daniele De Rossi

Daniele De Rossi is often described as the complete midfielder. He is a versatile player who can play in  both attack and defense. A tough tackler, never to back down from a fight, he uses his strength to dispossess opponents. As good as he is in a defensive role, he is equally useful while going forward. An excellent passer of the ball, he also possesses a cracker of a shot. Such is his regard in Italy that he has been given the nickname "Capitan Futuro" as he is seen as the heir apparent to both Francesco Totti and Gianluigi Buffon.

2. Bastian Schweinsteiger

Putting Bastian Schweinsteiger over Daniele De Rossi was a tough call, both are world class players, similar in age and position, a similar style of play and both are one club men (loyalty still counts in these crazy times). But what tips the balance in Schweinsteiger's favor is the lackluster performances of both Germany and Bayern Munich in his absence. Joachim Löw has aptly called him "the brain" of the German National Team, and I believe not only is he the brain but also the heartbeat of both national and club team. He began his career on the wings but has since developed into an outstanding holding midfielder. He is perhaps the most versatile midfielder of his generation. Bastian Schweinsteiger has excellent dribbling skills, passing ability, ball control and good tackling capability and as if this was not enough he has a thunderous right foot and a wicked delivery from set-pieces. He is the complete midfielder who dictates the game no matter where he plays.   

1. Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso is a midfield maverick. He is the one who makes the whole team tick, whether it is for Real Madrid or Spain. He is perhaps the best passer in the game today and his vision is unrivaled. Whether he is spraying 40 yard passes across the field or maintaining possession, he is the best at what he does. A superb reader of the game, he is an expert at breaking up the opposition's play and dictating the flow of the game. He has won everything the game has to offer and it is perhaps time that he should be awarded the Ballon d'Or. Blessed with an abundance of talent and a keen footballing mind, a player like Xabi Alonso appears only once in a generation.