BBC SPORT | Football | Laws & Equipment | Positions guide: Central midfield

The best clubs in the country all have world-class players in this position, such as Frank Lampard for Chelsea, Roy Keane for Manchester United and Steven Gerrard at Liverpool.

They are described as the orchestra conductors, the engines of the team, the players pulling the strings from the middle.

Frank Lampard is one of Chelsea's most influential players

You have to have stamina by the bagful to play in this position. It involves endless running.

You will need to be a strong tackler to win the ball back and have the skill to create opportunities for the strikers ahead of you.

A lot of your work will go unnoticed as you will make forward runs to join your attackers.

But so too will your opposite number, and you must match those runs to assist your defence.

POSITIONS GUIDE

Intro

Goalkeeper

Full-back

Wing-back

Central defender

Sweeper

Central midfield

Wide midfield

Behind the striker

Striker

Formations guide
Learn about the main ways to line up a team

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