Best defensive midfielders ever?

[Albatros]

I'd call him all around midfielder (not box-to-box midfieder), as he did all types of things on the pitch.

As I said, it depends on the definition of defensive midfielder. I'll reserve that definition to players like Busquets, Redondo or Makelele.

Guardiola & co. changed what box-to-box used to be quite a bit, as back then it was normal instead of slowing the game down to rush forward with the ball after gaining possession like Matthäus often did. Having all-around qualities contributed to that style if anything.

 

[gary69]

Guardiola & co. changed what box-to-box used to be quite a bit, as back then it was normal instead of slowing the game down to rush forward with the ball after gaining possession like Matthäus often did. Having all-around qualities contributed to that style if anything.

I meant Matthaus was more than just box-to-box midfielder, which was more limited role.

 

[Eye of Ra]

When it comes to my fellow Sweden, the best DM we ever had was Stefan Schwarz by a land mile. Not sure any of you non-swedes ever heard of him.

 

[al secord]

Owen Hargreaves

 

[Blender]

This is an impossible thing to discuss unless we agree with what is meant by "defensive midfielder" for the purpose of this discussion first.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Neeskens

 

[luiginb]

To quote the guy from HTIC 7, how can one compare Andrea Pirlo and Nigel de Jong?

 

[cgf]

To quote the guy from HTIC 7, how can one compare Andrea Pirlo and Nigel de Jong?

Just call Beckenbauer a DM because he started there and you've got both sides of the equation covered