The 5 Best Deep-Lying Playmakers in the World - Ranked
The deep-lying playmaker is one of the most mystifying and alluring roles on the football pitch.
They are the orchestrators of the beautiful game, withdrawn from the action but always somehow managing to stay in control of proceedings.
Well, at least the best ones can, and trust us when we say that the following five midfielders are the best deep-lying playmakers in world football.
5. Luka Modric
Many men tried to break Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's stranglehold over the Ballon d'Or and only one managed it - Luka Modric.
The Croatian may have regressed slightly since his 2018 heyday but he remains an elegant and composed presence in the Real Madrid midfield.
Modric is most comfortable when the pressure is at his highest. That is evidenced by the way that he has controlled huge Champions League games for Los Blancos and vital World Cup contests during Croatia's road to the final two years ago.
At 34 years of age and with just one year left to run on his contract in Madrid, his future is uncertain. But one things if for sure, he will be remembered as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Read Ross Jackson's profile of Luka Modric here.
4. Dani Parejo
Loyalty is said to be dead in modern football, but try telling that to Dani Parejo who has stuck by Valencia through thick and thin over the past decade.
Parejo has been Los Ches' creative heartbeat for many years, posting consistently impressive assists numbers and also chipping in with his fair share of goals.
Paired alongside the more combative Francis Coquelin or Geoffrey Kondogbia this season, the 31-year-old has been freed up to focus on pulling the strings in a playmaking role.
While Valencia have a penchant for hiring and firing managers at the drop of a hat, they have never been tempted to cash in on their prize asset who is one of the most underrated talents in world football.
Read Grey Whitebloom's profile on Dani Parejo here.
3. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos was ambitiously labelled a Jahrhunderttalent (talent of the century) when Bayern Munich plucked him from Hansa Rostock's youth academy as a youngster.
Since then, he's pretty much lived up to this lofty billing, carving out a reputation as one of the most influential players of the decade. The German continues to impress to this day, remaining an ever present member of Real Madrid's midfield.
Kroos' real strength is his sumptuous technique. This frequently manifests itself through his pinpoint set piece delivery or via the myriad of 40-yard passes that he sprays around each game.
Now aged 30, he is likely to be moved into a deeper role over the next few seasons but his extensive passing range will make sure that his assists numbers do not dwindle.
Read Robbie Walls' profile on Toni Kroos here.
2. Marco Verratti
Paris-Saint Germain have made numerous big money signings over the past decade.
However, their best recruit has not been Neymar, nor Angel Di Maria, nor David Luiz. It was in fact a diminutive Italian midfielder who cost little over £10m.
Marco Verratti has gone on to make over 300 appearances since arriving from Pescara back in 2012.
While several of his teammates are specialists at throwing their toys out of the pram following the tiniest inconvenience, Verratti has been a thoroughly professional and talented presence in central midfield, facilitating the attacking excellence in front of him with his probing passing.
Read Grey Whitebloom's profile on Marco Verratti here.
1. Thiago Alcantara
If it's one thing that Barcelona do well, it's churn out deep-lying playmakers.
One of the most successful alumni from the revered La Masia academy is Thiago Alcantara.
Poised, spritely and devilishly intelligent, the Italian born Spain international grew tired of playing second fiddle at Camp Nou and made the move to Bayern Munich in 2013.
Since then, he has taken his already near flawless playmaking game to another level. Thiago has been the mastermind behind Die Roten's stranglehold over the Bundesliga and Bayern have never failed to win Germany's top prize since he arrived at the club.
He personifies everything that is so beguiling about the deep-lying playmaker. That's why he's the very best one in the world right now.
Read Ross Kennerly's profile on Thiago Alcantara here.
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