CM 2008 > Players > Defensive Midfielders

A role that has really risen in importance in recent years, defensive midfielders are now consider a vital part of most formations. The 'Makelele' role as it has come to be known, provides an important link between the defence and the midfield, sweeping up loose balls, breaking up the oppositions attacks and starting attacks for his own team.

Your defensive midfielder needs to be a real athlete who can combine a predominantly defensive minded mentality with the ability to start attacking movements as well. Key attributes in this position are passing, marking, tackling, anticipation, team work, work rate, positioning and stamina.