The Top 10 Most Versatile Footballers in the World Who Can Play in Almost any Position

Nothing comforts a Football Manager(Real or Virtual) than looking at your bench and seeing a Total Swiss Army Knife of a Footballer, a player that can easily play and adapt to the game in any position; that's what we call Versatility.
But which players are the most versatile in Football? Well, here's Ten of them...

10. Daley Blind





Daley Blind is just as stylish on the ball as he looks, Blind is one player that has (somehow) often been underrated and overlooked in his career, but the fact that he easily adapts to any position can hardly be questioned.


Currently at Ajax, the Dutch international plays as a centre-back, although he is also very skillful in midfield and at full back.

9. Saúl Ñíguez





The Spanish star is capable of playing at any position on the pitch. He played as centre back earlier in his career at Rayo Vallecano, now, he is a a creative midfielder in his natural role for Atléti. However, he could also fill in out wide and also at left back, whenever his coach, Diego Simeone needs to fill a gap.

Saul is obviously more than a regular utility player, he can play at the top level in a variety of positions.

8. James Milner





Like a fine wine, Milner has only got better with age.

At the age of 16, while at Leeds United, Milner became the youngest goal scorer in the history of Premier League (a record that's since been taken by James Vaughan). Later on, He became more experienced as an Aston Villa and Manchester City mainstay, mostly playing as a box-to-box central midfielder.

Since moving to Anfield in 2015, James Milner played a full season as a left back, he also played occasionally as a right back and also did defensive and attacking jobs in midfield.

There's absolutely nothing boring about versatile players

7. Joshua Kimmich





Joshua Kimmich is another world-class player, both as a full back and as a midfielder.

The Bayern Munich man has controlled opponents in both positions since moving to the Allianz Arena in 2015.

It is quite scary to consider how good he could become if he continues his rise to the top of world football... in whatever position he wants.

6. Julian Draxler



Since Neymar and Mbappe arrived at PSG, Draxler has strived to get a regular starting spot at Paris Saint-Germain. Usually, he plays as a winger, but he has since been forced to play as a central Midfielder due to PSG's star-studded squad.

The 2017/18 season alone, saw the German star play as a right winger, right forward, attacking midfielder and a central midfielder. He is unquestionably among the most talented players in the world right now.

Draxler has proven that he can adapt and is capable of putting in a quality shift irrespective of the position he is given to play in.

5. Emre Can

Emre Can is a Bayern Munich academy graduate, he is the third German inclusion on this list.

He is often times pimped as Michael Ballack due to his dynamic nature and ability to both defend and attack, the german star can play as a full back, midfielder, and even at centre back if you need him to.

4. David Alaba

The Austria’s star player is not only a world-class left back but also one of the most versatile footballers on earth.

He plays primarily as a left back, but can also play as a Central Midfielder, Central Defender, including right and left wing.

His country deployed him as a 'number ten' at the European Championship in 2016, he utilised his creative talents, while his speed, passing and dynamic nature have seen him perform as a 'number eight' and also as a winger.

3. Ashley Young




During his early years at Watford and Aston villa, Ashley Young was known as a tricky, speedy winger. At a time, his manager, Martin O'Neill compared him to Lionel Messi ...really.

After securing a move to Old Trafford in 2011, he was tried out as a makeshift striker and in the 'number ten' role.

But in more recent years, he made himself a well-disciplined and hard-working full-back. His Achievements as a right-footed left-back even earned him a starting spot in England’s 2018 World Cup side.

2. Alessandro Florenzi



Allessandro Florenzi is an Italian, currently on loan at Valencia, where is plays as both a Midfielder and a Full back.

He originally showed promise as a central midfielder, adopting the box-to-box role later in his career, however, some of his best displays have come while playing out wide as a winger.

Although, he is a defensive midfielder, he has also proven to fit into the right wing-back role if needed. Handy

1. Steven Gerrard





Steven Gerrard is a former Liverpool player and currently a Manager at Rangers, a Scottish Premiership club.

He is also among the most versatile footballers in football's history. As a Midfielder, he has also performed well as a Right back, Central Defender, winger and even as a Supporting striker

At Liverpool, he was occasionally deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, central Midfielder and even central defender.

In the England National Team, he is often used as a both a Right winger and a left winger.