Chelsea: 5 Midfield Roles Nemanja Matić Could Play

3. Deep Playmaker

Ramires poses something of a conundrum for Chelsea. On the one hand, his energy and non-stop running are a unique and invaluable asset in forcing opponents back and pulling their players out of position. The problem is that he leaves big gaps behind him, waiting to be exploited by teams with a sharp eye for direct passes from deep. Lampard's positional sense is second to none, but his defensive abilities aren't strong enough to hold off counter-attacks on his own. Mikel offers more stability, but with Ramires more a runner than passer, it makes for a midfield pairing with an awful lot of industry but not much invention. Mati‡ combines the best of both players, possessing Mikel's ability to make key interceptions with Lampard's gift for spotting and play optimal forward passes to turn the attacking tide back against Chelsea's opponents. In other words, he's ideal for keeping the play moving from deep while Ramires charges forward like a lunatic with the assurance of having a 6'4 Serbian monolith backing him up. Mati‡ isn't exactly Pirlo, so don't expect any long, searching balls to find the tips of Eden Hazard's twinkly toes from forty yards, but he is more than adept at breaking up an attack and finding an attacking midfielder in a dangerous position with a swift ball along the ground. That he has the confidence with the ball at his feet to manoeuvre his way into space only makes him more valuable, reducing the risk of opponents pressing him out of the game.