Joins midfield build-up when in possession.
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Races to cover gaps when defence is breached.A safety net for the centre-backs alongside them.Daniel Kopatsch/Bundesliga Position: Sweeper Quarter-back Mats Hummels can be regularly found launching balls forward from Borussia Dortmund's defence. The man who goes by Aussenrist - German for the outside of your foot - on social media has teed up 17 shots on the opposition goal. Normally operating from left centre-back, the right-footer has spun the ball to a teammate with a heat-seeking 91.3 per cent of his passes this season, even though he averages six progressive passes per game. Having initially made the move from Bayern to Borussia Dortmund in 2008, and back again in 2016, Hummels returned to the Signal Iduna Park three years later having played a critical role in keeping BVB at bay during his final season in Bavaria. Bravery and heading ability desirable, for use in either boxĪn asset on either side of the ball, Hummels and former long-time Bayern and Germany counterpart Jérôme Boateng redefined the central defensive role on approaching their collective peaks around the 2010 mark.May employ zonal or man-marking strategies.Watch: Davies under the tactical microscope It allows him to cover defensive space and track oppositions wingers quicker than most players on the planet, as well as rapidly join Bayern attacks when they overturn possession. One of the fastest players ever seen in the Bundesliga, topping out at 22.69 mph, Davies' pace means he moves from touchline to touchline at a rapid rate. Bayern's 'Road Runner' started life as an out-and-out winger when he burst onto the scene with the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer, before finding his feet further back at Bayern. If anyone puts the "wing" in "wing-back", it's Canada superstar Davies. One of the most physically demanding positions.Still marks opposition wingers when needed.Overlaps and sends crosses into the opposition box.Pep Guardiola (l.) described Philipp Lahm (r.) as the most intelligent player he had ever coached - Lennart Preiss Position: Wing-back And for anyone who doubts that the 37-year-old is up to the traditional nitty-gritty of the position, it's worth remembering he has a record 204 shut-outs in the Bundesliga. When his team is in possession he is just as valuable, with distribution and technique honed from moonlighting in midfield in training. On the rare occasions that his club or national team defences are breached, Neuer races off his line to quell the danger.
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Neuer has the shot-stopping ability of anyone who has gone before him, but the term "sweeper-keeper" was effectively invented for the Bayern Munich man, who has revolutionised the position in a 17-year career which has brought 11 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany. The best goalkeeper in the world, and arguably of all time.
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