Best two-way player in the world

[DMunited]

This is not a question of who is the best midfielder. Zidane and Makelele are both excellent players but one plays no defense and the other has no offense. The players that I'm talking about are those that equally strong in tackling, defense positioning, and maintaining possession as they are adept running at defense, making the killer pass, or scoring goals.

My vote has to go to Veira. His work tackling and workrate are unsurpassed. He excells at possession and is a sublime passer. The only knock against him is that he doesn't score a lot of goals. However he sets up plent of goals for others, is good finisher when the chances do come, and has a knack for scoring important goals.

Since I also would be interested to know who people consider the greatest two-way players of the past like Bobby Moore that many of us haven't been fortunate enough to see.

[Jawz10]

Pirlo of ac milan should get a mention. He plays defensive midfield in the way Redondo used to at Madrid. He isn't as good a tackler as Viera or Keane, but then none of those players goes foward as well as he does.

[Hazardinho]

Pirlo of ac milan should get a mention. He plays defensive midfield in the way Redondo used to at Madrid. He isn't as good a tackler as Viera or Keane, but then none of those players goes foward as well as he does.

You forgot set pieces... :)

You remember Pirlo's penalty kick that almost won the CL for Milan in regular time? Amazing.

[DMunited]

Pirlo of ac milan should get a mention. He plays defensive midfield in the way Redondo used to at Madrid. He isn't as good a tackler as Viera or Keane, but then none of those players goes foward as well as he does.

I was able to see Pirlo a bit as a young player back when FSW carried the Italian league but I always saw him as playmaker. I can't follow the Italian league like I used to but my impression is that Gattuso is played as a pure destroyer to cover for Pirlo/Rui Costa/Seedorf. Pirlo's offense is not disputed, I just haven't seen him deployed as center mid with much defensive responisibility

[Suss]

Steven Gerrard can do anything. In the beginning of the season, when Hamann was hurt, Gerrard was forced to play in the holding role. He proved that he can do that as well as anyone. As any attacking player he is brilliant. He carries Liverpool on his back as the captain. He dominates the entire midfield.

[nicephoras]

For a pure 2 way player, I have to give the nod to Gerrard. His offensive game is much more developed than Viera's. Ruben Baraja deserves mention here as well. On his day, I'd say Redondo.

[Excape Goat]

A few years ago, I would say Davids was the best two-way player. He can tackle hard..... got fancy footwork and playmaking skills. His form was not so good at Juventus right before his move to barcelona. I have not seen him at Barcelona. So I really do not know.

[TORPEDO]

For a pure 2 way player, I have to give the nod to Gerrard. His offensive game is much more developed than Viera's. Ruben Baraja deserves mention here as well. On his day, I'd say Redondo.
Unfortunately, agreed and agreed.

[afgrijselijkheid]

gerrard, followed closely by baraja

[DMunited]

For a pure 2 way player, I have to give the nod to Gerrard. His offensive game is much more developed than Viera's. Ruben Baraja deserves mention here as well. On his day, I'd say Redondo.

I forgot about Redondo. But he hasn't been healthy in years. I did get to see him a little in his Real Madrid days and he was something special.

[SumRoy]

No mention of Pavel Nedved???

Keane is so overrated. He can be just as big of a detriment as an asset, but Nedved is the complete package.

In terms of strictly ball winning, there is no match for Edgar Davids. Look at what he has done for Barca.

I would vote, 1) Nedved and 2) Davids.

Gerrard is solid, but needs to mature but he'll be tops in a year or two.

[Spartak]

You forgot set pieces... :)

You remember Pirlo's penalty kick that almost won the CL for Milan in regular time? Amazing.
Did this happen in an alternate universe ;)

I would also vote for Nedved.

[AjaxGunner]

Davids - 4 years ago

Keane - 2 years ago

Vieira - Last year

Pirlo - This year

Gerrard - 2 years from now

Ballack - Never

[DutchCane]

I'd say Javier Zanetti, and Davids