The Deep Lying Playmaker. Since the emergence of Xavi, every team has one. For Arsenal, read Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard who operates in the ' Pirlo Role ' in front of the defence, dominating games with sweeping passes and precise short passes. For the Tottenham of old, read Luka Modric. Undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment, while Gareth Bale and Scott Parker grabbed the headlines, it was the Croatian who was really orchestrating Spurs' surprising success.
Here is a comparison of 6 deep lying playmakers throughout Europe's top sides last season,
Mikel Arteta
In his 29 appearances in the Premier League last season,
Average Passes Per Game: 76.9
Pass Accuracy : 90.8%
Number Of Passes ( Successful / Total ) : 2023 / 2229
Chances Created : 60
Assists : 2
Accurate Long Balls Per Game : 5.2
Long Balls ( Successful / Total ) : 152 / 172
Tackles : 72
Interceptions : 55
Luka Modric
In his 36 appearances in the Premier League last season,
Average Passes Per Game: 70.4
Pass Accuracy : 87.4%
Number Of Passes ( Successful / Total ) : 2215 / 2534
Chances Created : 96
Assists : 4
Accurate Long Balls Per Game : 7.6
Long Balls ( Successful / Total ) : 275 / 329
Tackles : 56
Interceptions : 81
Andrea Pirlo
In his 37 appearances in Serie A last season,
Average Passes Per Game: 86.4
Pass Accuracy : 86.9%
Number Of Passes ( Successful / Total ) : 2778 / 3197
Chances Created : 125
Assists : 13
Accurate Long Balls Per Game : 11.2
Long Balls ( Successful / Total ) : 414 / 488
Tackles : 79
Interceptions : 64
Xabi Alonso
In his 36 appearances in La Liga last season,
Average Passes Per Game: 78
Pass Accuracy : 88.1%
Number Of Passes ( Successful / Total ) : 2476 / 2809
Chances Created : 65
Assists : 9
Accurate Long Balls Per Game : 9.3
Long Balls ( Successful / Total ) : 336 / 426
Tackles : 109
Interceptions : 81
Xavi
In his 31 appearances in La Liga last season,
Average Passes Per Game: 93.8
Pass Accuracy : 92.4%
Number Of Passes ( Successful / Total ) : 2688 / 2909
Chances Created : 65
Assists : 7
Accurate Long Balls Per Game : 7.1
Long Balls ( Successful / Total ) : 220 / 238
Tackles : 29
Interceptions : 33
Yaya Toure
In his 32 appearances in the Premier League last season,
Average Passes Per Game: 75.6
Pass Accuracy : 90.5%
Number Of Passes ( Successful / Total ) : 2189 / 2419
Chances Created : 54
Assists : 6
Accurate Long Balls Per Game : 5.5
Long Balls ( Successful / Total ) : 176 / 216
Tackles : 55
Interceptions : 39
There are two scenarios of a team playing with a defensive midfielder :
The Pirlo Role
The playmaker in question will sit in front of the back four and look to hit the channels with sweeping long balls. The role is aptly named after in the grand daddy of the position : Andrea Pirlo. He wasn't blessed with pace, but rather immense technical ability. Juventus have played Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal in advanced positions to defend from the front, leaving Pirlo with a lot of time and space on the ball. His work has inspired Arsene Wenger to place Mikel Arteta in this position. And he has excelled. Young Marco Verrati has been touted as Pirlo's successor in the Gli Azzuri, his recent move to French superpower PSG could prove to be his greatest decision, or his biggest mistake.
Partnering A Destroyer
While Xabi Alonso was plying his trade at Liverpool, he had the freedom to express himself while Javier Mascherano took care of the defensive duties. Luka Modric also did the same while Scott Parker swept up in midfield. Gennaro Gattuso destroyed while Andrea Pirlo did what he does best back in their AC Milan days. Even Xavi has Sergio Busquets covering.
