Versatile players are invaluable to managers. Their ability to play in multiple positions aids the team selection, especially during injury crises, and allows for tactical flexibility. The best versatile players excel in various roles and possess a deep understanding of the game, as they must adapt to different positions. As players age, their game intelligence improves while their physicality declines, prompting them to transition into new roles, such as Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young. Similarly, defenders with tactical acumen, such as Joshua Kimmich, often move into midfield. With this in mind, let’s explore some of the most versatile players in football history, according to Win Betting Tips.
Top 10 most versatile player in football
10. John Stones (Times in service: 2011-present)
John Stones' playing positions include centre-back, with 285 appearances; right-back, with 64 appearances; and defensive midfielder, with 26 appearances. As a teenager at Barnsley and Everton, John Stones was a promising ball-playing centre-back, and since joining Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, he has continued to improve each year.
Stones can now play as both a right-back and a center-back, and he seamlessly switches to midfield when City has the ball, fitting perfectly into Guardiola's innovative system. In Manchester City's 2023 Champions League triumph, Stones played a key role, occupying his new inverted position and supporting Rodri. His exceptional understanding of the game and ball skills enabled him to drive City forward effectively.
Much of Stones' development into such a versatile and exceptional player can be attributed to Guardiola, who has shaped him into a regular standout player on the pitch for both his club and country.
9. Ashley Young (Career Length: 2003-present)
Ashley Young has played in various positions throughout his career, including 175 appearances as a full-back, 215 as a left midfielder, 31 as a winger, and 39 as a right midfielder. Young started his career as a skillful, quick winger who loved cutting inside to shoot or win fouls. However, as his pace began to decline over the years, he transitioned to playing deeper, first as a wing-back and now as an all-around full-back.
Confident on both feet and with a vast understanding of the game, Young is now a key member of Sean Dyche's Everton squad. He is still playing Premier League football at the age of 39, which is a testament to his footballing intelligence.
Some wingers hate the idea of defending and rarely get back to support the full-back, but Young has proven that others enjoy it, and they could even become full-backs in the future.
8. Philipp Lahm (Time in service: 2002-2021)
Philipp Lahm's playing positions include right-back (269 appearances), left-back (219 appearances), defensive midfielder (50 appearances), and central midfielder (19 appearances). Often described as perfect by the German press, Philipp Lahm is a manager's dream. Comfortable at both right and left-back, Lahm's deep understanding of the game, coupled with his quick thinking, makes him the type of player every team would love to have. Not only can he play as a full-back, but Lahm is also often deployed in midfield, where he is always comfortable.
During his time as Bayern Munich's head coach, Pep Guardiola stated that it was "impossible" for anyone to play as a defensive midfielder as well as Lahm, which highlights his exceptional ability. Lahm has never been sent off in his 19-year career, a testament to his remarkable ability to read the game.
7. Wayne Rooney (Career: 2001-2017)
Wayne Rooney has played in multiple positions throughout his career, including 291 appearances as a center-forward, 70 as an attacking midfielder, 14 as a central midfielder, and 186 as a second striker. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and the best English player of all time, Rooney has an outstanding goalscoring record, with 208 Premier League goals and five league titles to his name.
"n his early teens, Rooney used to occasionally play out wide, using his explosive pace to strike fear into defenders, but he was always most comfortable as a center-forward. However, as he got older and lost much of that speed, Rooney began playing more in central midfield, where he could use his excellent technical ability to pick out passes and dictate play.
Rooney’s ability to play in midfield was best demonstrated during his time at DC United. In the final minute of a match, he ran half the length of the pitch to stop an opposition counter-attack, before delivering a pinpoint pass to the far post to set up his team’s winning goal.
6. Bernardo Silva (Times in service: 2013-present)
Bernardo Silva's playing positions include right midfielder (72 appearances), attacking midfielder (142 appearances), right winger (140 appearances), and central midfielder (112 appearances). There have been few players who have been as consistent for the club as Bernardo Silva during his time at Manchester City.
A minimum of eight times a week, the Portuguese midfielder, one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League in 2024, is not only a joy to watch but also works incredibly hard for the team, regardless of the position he is asked to play. At times, he is tasked with playing deep alongside Rodri or operating just ahead at the tip of the midfield triangle. Other times, he plays wide, contributing to the supply line for Erling Haaland.
His versatility and work rate have made him one of the first names on the Manchester City teamsheet, especially in the biggest games.
5. Gareth Bale (Times in service: 2006-2023)
Gareth Bale has played in several positions throughout his career, including 206 appearances as a right-winger, 171 as a left-winger, 47 as a left-back, and 44 as a center-forward. Few players have had a career trajectory quite like Bale's. In the late 2000s, it seemed like Bale was ready to leave Tottenham, struggling as a left-back and facing a difficult future in North London. However, when Harry Redknapp gave him a chance as a winger, Bale’s career took off and he became a superstar.
Regarded as one of the greatest wingers in football history, Bale's hat-trick against Inter Milan brought him to global attention before his continued improvement earned him a move to Real Madrid. Bale continued to thrive in Madrid, winning five Champions League titles along the way.
For Wales, Bale often played as a striker, leading the attack and showcasing his versatile play across the pitch.
4. Thomas Müller (Career Length: 2007-present)
Thomas Müller’s playing positions include second striker (333 appearances), right winger (220 appearances), attacking midfielder (84 appearances), and center forward (53 appearances). Thomas Müller is widely regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time. Comfortable playing anywhere across the front line and a key player for both the German national team and Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller’s versatility makes it hard to argue with that.
Two qualities that define the German midfielder are intelligence and altruism, as he is always willing to do whatever it takes to help his team. Throughout his career, and even to this day, Müller has remained a crucial player for both his club and country, which highlights the quality of the player he is and the trust his coaches continue to place in him.
3. Joshua Kimmich (Time in service: 2013-present)
Joshua Kimmich has played in several positions throughout his career, including 240 appearances as a defensive midfielder, 127 as a right-back, 61 as a central midfielder, and 22 as a center-back. Kimmich is often compared to Philipp Lahm, as he shares similar versatility and composure on the field. The German full-back is extremely comfortable in midfield and consistently delivers strong performances for his team.
Kimmich is a world-class player in both full-back and midfield positions and is always one of the first names on the teamsheet for both his national team and his club. The German’s consistency, enthusiasm, and versatility are vital for his team, as they allow for rotation without easily dropping levels. After Lahm retired in 2017, there were concerns about who would replace him in the German national team, so Joshua Kimmich stepped in and has hardly put a foot wrong since.
2. David Alaba (Career Length: 2007-present)
David Alaba’s playing positions include left-back (261 appearances), center-back (205 appearances), central midfielder (50 appearances), and defensive midfielder (27 appearances). For his club, David Alaba usually plays in a defensive position, either as a left-back or a center-back, and is considered one of the best players in the world in both roles. However, it is for his national team that the Austrian has demonstrated his versatility at its best.
Often deployed in midfield, sometimes even as an attacking midfielder, Alaba has been at the heart of his national team's success, helping them qualify for major tournaments. His ability to carry the country on his back, even while playing in a position different from his usual one, is remarkable and demonstrates why he is considered one of the most versatile players in the game.
1. James Milner (Career Length: 2002-Present)
James Milner has played in various positions throughout his career, including 254 appearances as a central midfielder, 180 as a right midfielder, 108 as a left midfielder, 72 as a left-back, and 35 as a right-back.
Throughout his illustrious Premier League career, Milner has played almost every position across his time at six different clubs. Starting as a skillful winger and occasionally as an attacking midfielder, Milner went on to play for Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Manchester City, where he won two league titles.
As he got older, Milner transitioned to playing more centrally and moved to Liverpool, where Jurgen Klopp frequently deployed him in midfield. However, he eventually took on a full-back role when needed.
At the start of the 2024/25 season at Brighton, Milner has primarily played as a full-back. At 38, he continues to deliver outstanding performances whenever required. Few players in football history have demonstrated such consistency across their careers, especially in such a wide range of positions. Milner is undeniably one of the most versatile players to ever play the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, players like James Milner and Joshua Kimmich exemplify the ideal blend of skill, tactical intelligence, and adaptability. Their ability to excel in various roles on the field makes them invaluable assets to their teams, providing increased flexibility and resilience in the face of challenges. Versatility is more than just technical skill; it reflects a player's profound understanding of the game and a readiness to adapt to evolving strategies. These players aren't simply filling roles—they are shaping the game and driving their teams toward success with unmatched adaptability and commitment.
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