Quotes About Midfield

I am a player who likes to play in between the lines and try to break that midfield line, whether it's when I receive a pass or can go and show everyone what I am about.

I try to have a picture when I receive the ball and know where everyone is. That's one of the most important things for a midfielder.

I played fly-half in rugby, so I could influence the game, and midfield in hockey too. So it is part of my sporting DNA to want to be in the game at all times, to affect what is going on. That's down to genetics and being ginger, I reckon. We're special specimens.

When you go to a World Cup, in midfield you need to have players who can score from distance, who can get in the box and obviously play-make.

I know when I step into midfield I have to sharpen my feet up and be more aware of what's around me, at centre back it's more about timing, positioning and communication.

World-class midfield players get their share of goals and that's something I want to add to my game.

But I loved playing in midfield. In midfield you always have a sight of goal, you're always participating in all the plays.

For me, it's easier to play with my right foot. It's simple. If I go right, I see Diego and have different solutions: I go alone or pass to Diego, or the midfield can join in. If I go the other way, the cross with my left foot is not good.

I started in a 4-3-3 formation at Ajax, playing in left midfield. There, you need to be just as involved defensively as you are going forward. You attack and you defend, and that allows you to be a complete player.

The cap is a discussion about competitiveness, not about money. It's about trying to bring the top teams down to a level where the midfield teams feel they can compete. The reality is that whatever the level of spend there will always be teams that run at the front and teams that run at the back.

When I play in central midfield, that's my favourite position.

The AZ captain Teun Koopmeiners, a left-footed centre back who can sit in midfield, is probably the best player in Holland in defensive areas.

If I was to play on the left, I'd rather play there if there was three in midfield.

You don't need only your strikers. You need your defenders to be on top of their game. You need a midfield to work hard and track back, and I suppose you need a goalkeeper who makes saves once in a while.

If you are playing on the left of a four-man midfield, there are a lot more defensive duties to do, so you can't find the times to keep attacking. But if you're on the left of a 4-3-3, I find that position really good as well.

Roy Hodgson destroyed me. He made me play in the centre of midfield.

I was the classic midfield organiser who could also score goals.

I prefer to play in midfield, whether that is attacking midfield or defensive midfield.

The No 10 position is my favourite role, and I'm a player who likes to play in between the lines and try and break that midfield line.

Mario Mandzukic works so hard for his team. He's not only a No. 9 but also runs behind the defenders and drops into midfield.

I think that Sarri's formation and playing with a midfield three have been fundamental for me.

All coaches now look for forwards who not only score goals but also run back and help in midfield.

Playing in midfield is a different ball game. You have to be on the half-turn all the time, have a different picture in your head of what is behind you and in front of you. Playing at right-back is different again.

When I was at MK Dons, I played all the games in centre midfield, so it's not like it's new to me.