Who would you say are the three best holding midfielders in the world?

[New York Red]

This is a good one...

[fred milne]

This is a good one...

You might need to clarify what constitutes a "holding midfielder".

 

Does it include deep-lying playmakers (Alonso, Pirlo etc) or just ball-winners who sit in front of the CBs (Makalele, Gilberto etc)?

 

What about your more energetic ball-winners who get up and down the park (Sissoko, Gattuso etc).

[Stevie H]

makelele

pirlo

alonso

[New York Red]

You might need to clarify what constitutes a "holding midfielder".

 

Does it include deep-lying playmakers (Alonso, Pirlo etc) or just ball-winners who sit in front of the CBs (Makalele, Gilberto etc)?

 

What about your more energetic ball-winners who get up and down the park (Sissoko, Gattuso etc).

 

Well, make the call however you see fit. There will be a more classic CM section later. But, in my mind it would be the ball-winners.

[Guest Scot]

Makelele

Pirlo

Jagielka

[Bjarkinn]

Pirlo

Alonso

Fletcher

[Sion]

Makelele

Pirlo

Sissoko

[Hassony]

Pirlo

Alonso

Makelele

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Pirlo

Poulsen

Alonso

Edited January 12, 2007 by Anders Honoré

[Rimbeux]

sat in front of back four

 

Makelele

Alonso

Pirlo

[floyd]

Alonso

Sissoko

Mascherano

[Hector McDougal]

Don't think that Pirlo makes too many takles. I know that he sits deep like Xabi and makes the passes but unlike xabi, he doesn't put his foot in, just lets Gatusso do it for him.

[Flanders]

I think Essien will be the best in a few years.

There are very few who can win the ball and turn defence into attack immediately.

The best in recent years in this position were Kenae and Vieira, the nearest player to them at the moment is Gerrard.

 

As you are looking for a World XI, I see Gerrard in there as a defensive midfielder, surprised he doesn't get a mention. He maybe the best attacking midfielder at our club, but he would only make it into a world XI in a more othodox central midfielder role.

[floyd the barber]

dont rate gerrard as a defensive midfielder at all...

 

 

pirlo

makelele

alonso

[Ostrich Man]

Pirlo

Alonso

Fletcher

the only one i can think of is darren....am i missing something here

[Maldini]

In no particular order

 

Makelele

Alonso

Xavi

[Clay Davis]

Pirlo

Poulsen

Alonso

i know poulsen is a defensive mid by trade but is he not playing right back for sevilla atm with alves pushed forward?

 

or am i reading their games totally wrong?!

[Jimi Rojo]

last ten years

 

Makelele, gattuso, Vieira, Keane & hamman

 

of those Makalele and Vieira have proved themselves in different leagues.

 

Makalele, Viera & one of the others......

 

p.s. How the feck do you spell Vieira?

[Guest Anders Honoré]

i know poulsen is a defensive mid by trade but is he not playing right back for sevilla atm with alves pushed forward?

 

or am i reading their games totally wrong?!

 

last time I saw them, which isn't recently, he played DM. At any rate, a few months in another position doesn't change the fact that he has been awesome for them in the role and has been top quality for a few years. He is one of the main reason Denmark has been able to hold their own in games against Italy, France etc. in recent years. He can neutralise the best of them whilst remain incredibly solid in possession and having an eye for a pass. The only genuine world class player Denmark has had in recent years.

[_00_deathscar]

Makelele

Alonso

Marquez

[crisps]

makelele

alonso

hargreaves

[Hassony]

makelele

alonso

hargreaves

[jimmylibel]

Makelele

Xabi

Xavi

[fred milne]

I think Essien will be the best in a few years.

He's probably the closest player around to the young Roy Keane.

Edited January 13, 2007 by fred milne

[matty]

Cambiasso

Makelele

Sissoko