Box-to-box midfielders are players with tons of stamina that usually play the whole game. They’re typically considered leaders of their team due to their immense knowledge of the game and chemistry with their teammates.
So, what else makes a box-to-box midfielder in soccer?
A box-to-box midfielder is a player who plays both offense and defense and can switch roles as needed throughout their games. They’re often considered to be an extra defender because they have the instinct to see plays coming and the physical ability to stop them.
These players have the physical and mental ability to switch gears and contribute to their team as needed. Some of the greatest box-to-box midfielders have played different positions in their career because they’re not afraid to do whatever it takes to help their team succeed.
Not all teams utilize this position, but when they do, they’re hard to play against. Well-known players such as Modric, Kante, and Kessié have thrived in this role as we’ll see later in this article.
Box-to-Box Midfielder Role
Box-to-box midfielders have a crucial role. They’re needed to play as both offense and defense because they can see plays coming and stop them from happening. Their roles change as they change from offense to defense.
As defensive players, their role is to read opposing players and block shots, protect their penalty box, and make great tackles. They’re usually not the fanciest players, but they play a crucial role.
They know how to position themselves to block opposing passes and intercept them when possible. They’re extremely athletic and quick, which is essential for them as defensive players; this allows them to stop critical passes and get in the position they need to turn a play around for their team.
As offensive players, their role is to be all-around playmakers. They’re accurate passers and great dribblers, and they can get away from opposing players quickly to get off a pass. These players don’t rely on fancy tactics or trick plays.
As a box-to-box midfielder, they have excellent offensive knowledge and good chemistry with their teammates, allowing them to make smart passes and plays.
The critical role for these players is their pitch awareness and understanding of game strategies. Box-to-box midfielders are always aware of everything that’s happening on the pitch. They know where their teammates are and where the opposing team is, and they understand how to make plays happen. Their chemistry with their team makes them great leaders, and their teammates look for them to make plays in critical situations.
How Common Are Box-to-Box Midfielders
A team’s formation can be a good indication if they’re playing a box-to-box midfielder or not. Some teams prefer formations that don’t have a specified box-to-box midfielder, making this role not as common as others in soccer.
Teams that play a 4-4-2 formation are more likely to have a box-to-box midfielder because the two central midfielders can play this specific position.
Box-to-box midfielders are usually more talented players. This is a mentally and physically challenging role, and coaches won’t set up formations to have this specific role if they don’t have players who can handle it.
When a team has an athlete like Luka Modric, an exceptional offensive and defensive player, they’ll alter their formations and play style to accommodate this role.
On the other hand, when teams have a stand-out offensive player and exceptional defensive players, they may choose to utilize their players in a way that doesn’t leave room for a box-to-box midfielder.
Chelsea Football Club is an example of a team that has altered its positions due to players. At one point, they utilized N’Golo Kante as a box-to-box midfielder since he’s an outstanding offensive and defensive player.
As their team evolved and they got new players, they ended up with excellent strikers and a powerful defensive team, so they changed Kante’s role on the team (we’ll talk more about him and his position later).
How to Excel as a Box-to-Box Midfielder
Box-to-box midfielders have to have extensive game knowledge and successfully implement various game strategies. The best box-to-box midfielders are physically capable of playing as offensive and defensive players.
To excel as a box-to-box midfielder, you need a deep understanding of the game, other players, and their positions, and you have to be a leader on the pitch. Having the physical capability to make plays is only half of the equation.
You need to know where your teammates are, their roles, and how to work cohesively with them. Excellent box-to-box midfielders also have a keen eye to recognize the opponent’s plays. To excel in this position, you must see a play before it happens and stop a pass or a play before it hinders your team.
In addition to the mental aspect and deep understanding of the game, you must also be physically capable and have the stamina to excel in this position. The best box-to-box midfielders are physically fit and have a healthy workout regimen.
They’re usually not the biggest players on the field. To excel, you need to be agile, ready to switch directions at any moment and have the endurance to play through a whole game.
The most successful box-to-box midfielders have a few things in common when you look at them. They’re usually a leader on their team, they’re excellent when playing defense and can stop passes with ease, and they have incredibly high endurance, which allows them to play the whole game.
Famous box-to-box midfielders are extremely hard workers, usually putting in extra time during practice and pre-seasons to perfect their craft.
Best Box-to-Box Midfielders
There have been countless midfielders in soccer that have been called great, with some considered extraordinary. However, there are a few considered to be the best when it comes to the position.
Tomas Soucek: Many legends of the sport recognize him as one of the best box-to-box midfielders right now in the league. He’s not afraid to go for the ball, and he has a fantastic rapport with his teammates.
Steven Gerrard: During his 14 years, he racked up numerous awards and accolades and spent time as Liverpool’s team captain due to his outstanding leadership. Gerrard was aggressive on the pitch as a player and had a fantastic knowledge of the game, making him a great box-to-box player. He could see plays coming before they happened and could position himself perfectly to turn the tables and make something happen for his team.
Arturo Vidal: Vidal has numerous awards and accolades as both a club player and a national player. He’s a great attacking midfielder who earns several goals and assists each season. He has gone through some personal struggles over the years but remains recognized as one of the top box-to-box midfielders.
Franck Kessié: Kessié is known as a brilliant playmaker. He’s excellent on offense and defense, making him a highly recognized box-to-box midfielder. As an outstanding box-to-box midfielder, he possesses superior physical talent and has a deep understanding of the game. He has incredible chemistry with his teammates and has earned himself the “Franck the Tank” nickname.
Is Modric a Box-to-Box Midfielder?
Luka Modric is technically listed as a central midfielder, but he’s recognized as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the league. He’s a leader on the field and serves as one of the captains for the national team.
What makes him one of the best box-to-box midfielders is his ability to score goals and assist his team while making crucial defensive plays. He’s an exceptional dribbler and can easily make long plays which sets him apart as a box-to-box player.
His team trusts that he knows everything that’s happening on the pitch and can make adjustments as needed. One of the crucial roles of a box-to-box midfielder is to understand what’s going on with your team and the opposing team.
Modric knows where to expect his teammates at any given moment, and he has an instinct that allows him to read his opponents and set himself up to stop plays or make accurate, offensive plays for his team.
Is Kante a Box-to-Box Midfielder?
Kante is considered a midfielder and was at one point used as a box-to-box midfielder for Chelsea, but his role has changed over time. He is currently a midfield destroyer, and his team is not currently utilizing a player as a box-to-box midfielder.
As we discussed earlier, teams utilize a box-to-box midfielder based on their needs. At one point, Kante was used in this position because his team needed a player that could make offensive and defensive plays while maintaining the endurance and stamina required to play a whole game.
As his team made changes to their roster, they became a stand-out team on both offense and defense, which erased their need for a box-to-box midfielder.
Kante is still an invaluable player for his team. Even though Kante is not utilized as a box-to-box midfielder, he’s recognized as being one of the best midfielder destroyers in the game.
He’s extremely athletic and has extensive knowledge of the game. He meets every requirement for the position but is used as a midfielder destroyer right now instead of a box-to-box midfielder.
What Number Does a Box-to-Box Midfielder Wear?
Box-to-box players/midfielders typically wear the number 8. Soccer is one of the few sports that designate numbers to positions. Some of the most famous soccer players in the world are known by the number that they wear, and it becomes synonymous with their name.
The best example of how significant a player’s number is to their name is Cristiano Ronaldo, known as CR7, representing his initials and number.
Some of the most famous number 8 players include Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Arturo Vidal. These players possess the mental and physical prowess to succeed in this position, and they’re incredibly hard-working players.
Most box-to-box players end up playing different positions (mainly midfield) at some point in their career. Depending on the needs of their team, they may be a defensive midfielder or a wide midfielder.
Players who wear number 8 can typically shift the tone from defensive midfielder to attacking midfielder. They’re the box-to-box players that cannot only make exceptional defensive plays but also shift the game’s momentum and give their teammates the chance to make offensive plays and get a leg up on the competition.