Controlling Midfielders (part 1)

Controlling midfielders are a type of central midfielders (CMs) who focus mainly on controlling and dictating the play in games with their passing to suit a team's style of play at any given point in a match. They have to make swift decisions and are tasked with taking the best possible action for attacking purposes to help their teams dominate the midfield, keep things ticking and with controlling games being their main task, anything else is a plus. Does a team require a more fluid play in a match? They recycle possession and remain positive in play by constantly supplying the forwards to hurt the opposition. Does an opposition thrive when the tempo is high? They bring the tempo down to take the sting out of the game, stabilise it and make it difficult for the opponent to control and dominate it. These midfielders also have very good technical abilities needed to help teams attacking-wise; creating chances and scoring goals.

Top controlling midfielders guarantee control and positivity in their teams’ play when these teams play with or without energy (slow or high tempo) and are allowed to roam (if needed) to be constantly available to receive the ball from teammates and move the ball to the right areas of the pitch. Also, they are the only type of central midfielders who can be trusted to remain effective at a slow tempo. The very best controlling midfielders can control games on their own (if you play through them), have a high footballing IQ to distribute the ball effectively around the pitch, excellent passing range to dictate the tempo to suit the team's style of play, vision, much-needed composure, are able to make complex passes and usually experts at controlling games. Also, these midfielders can become very good deep-lying playmakers like Pirlo did.

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