The role has changed immeasurably since my days at center-half. It's not an aerial game anymore. Heading has all but gone from elite football and it's much more about being able to step out and stroke the ball around.
You see that when you speak to managers or sporting directors. Ten or 15 years ago it was 'Can I have a 6ft 5ins beanpole who can meet crosses and defend set-pieces'. Now it's 'I want someone six foot tall who can handle the ball'.
The profile has completely changed and it's actually much closer to the traditional parameters of an old-fashioned No.6.
At Leeds, Ethan Ampadu is proving the point. The 23-year-old started the season as one of two deep-lying midfielders and looked top drawer.
Since Christmas, he's been covering at centre-back and looks every bit as assured.
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra March 31, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FUMING GRANT'S BLAST PAYS OFF
CHOICE words from Grant McCann at half-time did the trick as Doncaster Rovers came back to secure a point against classy Notts County.
BOSS MARTI'S ON A MISSION TO RESCUE R'S ALL OVER AGAIN
ARTI Cifuentes proved he was up for a challenge when he took the manager’s job at QPR just over a year ago.
HUSTLE FROM RUSSELL NETS DERBY SPOILS
HEAD coach Darrell Clarke praised goalscorer Jon Russell as his Barnsley side earned all three points in a home victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
DAVIES AGONY AS BLUES BLOW IT
ADEJECTED Chris Davies gave a bleak assessment of his Birmingham City side’s draw against Northampton Town.
WARNOCK: ONLY A GAME? IT'S LIFE OR DEATH IN SHEFFIELD!
JUST another game? Don’t pull that one on Neil Warnock, a Sheffield native, boyhood Blade and managerial veteran of nine Steel City derbies.
BISHOP AT THE HEART OF POMPEY WIN
COLBY Bishop’s spectacular return after heart surgery was a well-kept secret, said Portsmouth manager John Mousinho.
ACE VAKOUN CLEANS UP FOR THE HORNETS
VAKOUN Bayo took the plaudits once more after his goal sunk Oxford on Friday.
ANDI'S AT DOUBLE TO SPARK AWAY JOY
BLACKBURN Rovers boss John Eustace believes his team gave a text-book performance to get a first away win of the league season at Cardiff.
COV CATCH BLACK CATS NAPPING
SUNDERLAND head coach Regis le Bris was frustrated his players couldn’t build on two moments of first half magic that should have seen off managerless Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.
FARKE: WE HAVE THE WINNING MENTALITY TO STAY COURSE
Pressure mounts on Hoops manager
