Items25The creator’s order
  1. 1Franz BeckenbauerFranz BeckenbauerBorn 11 Sept 1945Beckenbauer began as a creative midfielder and became the model for an attacking libero. UEFA notes that the sweeper role let him bring the ball out and influence play further forward without ceasing to organise defence. His reading of space travelled with him: from midfield it helped find a pass,…0i
  2. 2Leah WilliamsonLeah WilliamsonBorn 29 Mar 1997Williamson started in central midfield before settling at centre-back for Arsenal in 2017. UEFA links her defensive success to vision, passing and intelligent reading, the qualities that once helped her receive in the middle. From the back, those same skills let her find the next line while meeting…0i
  3. 3Philipp LahmPhilipp LahmBorn 11 Nov 1983Lahm was an elite full-back on both sides before Pep Guardiola trusted him in central midfield. His control of body angle and passing options made the shift credible: he already had to read space beyond the touchline when stepping inside from defence. The midfield version added constant pressure…0i
  4. 4Joshua KimmichJoshua KimmichBorn 8 Feb 1995Kimmich built a major role at Bayern as a right-back and then as a central midfielder, while Germany has also relied on him at full-back. The passing range and appetite for involvement transferred; what changed was his starting view of the pitch and the need to manage pressure on both sides.…0i
  5. 5Javier MascheranoJavier MascheranoBorn 8 Jun 1984Mascherano had been a specialist defensive midfielder before Barcelona made centre-back a regular home for him. UEFA highlighted his performance in the 2011 Champions League final as a clear example of the shift. Anticipation, tackling and a willingness to receive under pressure all travelled, but…0i
  6. 6David AlabaDavid AlabaBorn 24 Jun 1992Alaba spent years at Bayern as a left-back, then played centrally in defence, with midfield experience adding another layer. He told UEFA that centre-back gave him more of the ball and more influence over the build-up. His left foot and comfort advancing possession survived the move; the new test…0i
  7. 7John StonesJohn StonesBorn 28 May 1994Stones had already proved himself at centre-back when Manchester City made his step into midfield a repeated part of their 2022/23 shape. UEFA's technical observers described him joining Rodri as the team built attacks. He brought a defender's awareness of risk into a congested central role, while…0i
  8. 8Ingrid EngenIngrid EngenBorn 29 Apr 1998Engen joined Barcelona as a midfielder and became a regular centre-back, playing almost the entire 2023/24 season there while Mapi León was injured. The club credits her partnership with Irene Paredes and the quality of her performances in both roles. Her distribution and awareness of passing lanes…0i
  9. 9Alex GreenwoodAlex GreenwoodBorn 7 Sept 1993Greenwood built her senior career at left-back and then took substantial centre-back responsibility for Manchester City and England. City discussed the switch openly, while England has used her in both positions in major matches. Her left-foot passing remained valuable in either role; central…0i
  10. 10Katie McCabeKatie McCabeBorn 21 Sept 1995McCabe broke through as a winger and became an outstanding left-back for Arsenal, also operating as a wing-back when the team used three centre-backs. UEFA's technical observers selected her in defence for the 2022/23 European season. The winger's crossing and courage to advance were assets, but…0i