May employ zonal or man-marking strategies.Pep Guardiola (l.) described Philipp Lahm (r.) as the most intelligent player he had ever coached - Lennart Preiss Position: Centre-back Lahm was particularly attacking the year Bayern won their first continental treble, and Pep Guardiola later described him as 'perhaps most intelligent player I have ever trained' on moving him into midfield later on, but Lahm broke through on the left of a back four before spending most of his career on the right of one, and none have done it better. Neuer's teammate for club and country for much of that run, he too is a World Cup and Champions League winner, one who tallied 19 assists in the 2012/13 campaign. Philipp Lahm was Bayern captain before hanging up his boots in 2017, and had spent 15 years before that as the quintessential full-back in German, and indeed world, football. May overlap and send crosses into the opposition box.Provides support for the wide midfielder ahead of them.

Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielder, forwards, and everything in between. And for anyone who doubts that the 37-year-old is up to the traditional nitty-gritty of the position, it's worth remembering he has a record 204 shut-outs in the Bundesliga. When his team is in possession he is just as valuable, with distribution and technique honed from moonlighting in midfield in training. On the rare occasions that his club or national team defences are breached, Neuer races off his line to quell the danger.

Neuer has the shot-stopping ability of anyone who has gone before him, but the term 'sweeper-keeper' was effectively invented for the Bayern Munich man, who has revolutionised the position in a 17-year career which has brought 11 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany. The best goalkeeper in the world, and arguably of all time. Only player who can use their hands in their 18-yard box.Wears gloves, and a different coloured jersey from teammates.Also organises the defence and builds play from the back.Soccer positions explained: names, numbers and what they doįootball, soccer, the beautiful game… it's estimated that more than 250 million people play the sport in some capacity worldwide, but who is doing what, and where, when the 22 players take to the field?įrom Manuel Neuer to Harry Kane, the German top flight boasts some of the best players in the world in their positions.

Number of soccer positions