The Holding Midfielder: From Defender To Playmaker | CDM Tactics Explained

The Holding Midfielder: From Defender To Playmaker. CDM Tactics Explained!
The role of the CDM has changed countless times, and has slowly become on of the most crucial positions in the team. While Route One football in the late 90's limited the holding midfielder's role to defensive tasks, the modern meta of high press possession football has seen the CDM become one of the most important positions on the pitch, involved with the buildup and required to break the opposition lines.
In the Premier league, Jorginho and Fernandhino who will meet in the Champions League Final on the 29th May, have been involved in the majority of their teams' attacks and their workrate often goes unnoticed!
In this video we explain the evolution of the CDM, from defensive minded players to the first line of attack.
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:13 The CDM
00:50 History
01:09 The Holding Midfielder
02:55 The Deep-Lying Playmaker
04:27 The Pivot
06:50 The Case of N'Golo Kante
08:33 Outro

[@tamagonbagel6569]

I don't know what the most important position is, but CDM is my favorite. I admire the poise and quick thinking good CDMs have.

[@FootballMeta]

Yeah I agree.. a good CDM always seems so calm and composed under pressure

[@SPARKLEPANDA4LIFE]

Fernadinho for example is the goat at this role.

[@adigajbhiye5347]

Talking about CDM and not a single mention of Sergio Busquets!

[@nieczerwony]

Xavi is lot better. Typical deep lying playmaker.

[@adigajbhiye5347]

@@nieczerwony he can certainly play there but Xavi as a interior is just a different beast.

[@living_craft]

I know!! Was waiting but he failed me on that part. Great video and very informative

[@hc8714]

lol because he is not the best?

[@victormugishar.5812]

He once was by far one of the best CDM football has ever had but now, he is no longer that sharp and mostly defensive and protective in his role. It may not be the main reason why Barca now uses a back-three but one of the reason is more defensive protection that he no longer offers!

[@gavinpieterse2791]

Sergio Busquests is the blueprint of modern day CDM's , a case to behold and not a mention of him. The best of his generation

[@lauralassan325]

He mentioned best cdm of the past = Makelele He mentioned best cdm currently = kante No need to mention players in between video will be long for no reason

[@gavinpieterse2791]

@@lauralassan325 Brewd sir, he mentioned it and I disagree with his opinion lol

[@Only1Patel]

I was wondering the about the same thing too lol

[@96NTD]

​@@lauralassan325 Kante is nowhere now LOL, but Busquets being the best CDM for years

[@paxundpeace9970]

Such a physical player and dangerous header too. Freekicks and corners do offer him dangerous opportunities. On this channel those don't get enough attention.

[@leviathan5427]

How on earth you overlooked Sergio Busquets?

[@surajnair9604]

exactly what I was thinking.

[@pseudocoach3039]

Not mentioning Sergio Busquets when mentioning "pivot" was kinda insulting

[@user-mg8uj7mw7k]

Over the years I have played all positions and nothing really fit until I started playing CDM. For me, its the best position because I enjoy attacking and defending at the same time. It provides the right balance for me.

[@footballbrainer279]

Fernandinho at his prime was the most important player in the Man City team. Everytime he got injured City lost games. During the Sarri era when City played Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final Sarri put a player to mark Fernandinho and completely cut out City's build up from the back.

[@liampower5602]

I only recently starting playing cdm (switch from cb/fb) and I absolutely love it. I think I'm more of a deep lying playmaker type player but I sometimes hold and screen as well, I kinda do a bit of everything. But boy is it such a fun position to play.

[@blackout995]

I also went from CB to CDM. It is fun going from watching the play from the backline and thinking about the game to actually being put in situations where you need to create. I felt the CB experience really helped make me a better midfielder... even if it is a lot more running

[@liampower5602]

@@blackout995 yeah that is the hard part, the extra running. At first I thought my defending was my strongest asset so I was comfortable just sitting the whole game but once I realized that I am much better when I go forward I decided to make the switch

[@martinchongojr3853]

While I respect the work put into this content, I strongly disagree with you on the Kante bit. Under Ranieri and Conte, Kante was not the holding midfielder. At Leicester City, Kante had Drinkwater as the more defensive midfielder (or Atleast he sat deeper) and at Chelsea under Conté, Kante had Matic as the more defensive midfielder, and in both cases this allowed him to do what he does best, anticipate and disrupt the opposition’s play. Sarri recognized this but wanted to use his abilities up the field and win the ball early, you right there. Lampard’s mistake on the other hand, was limiting Kante’s ability to anticipate & disrupt play by playing him as an lone No 6. That made him sit deeper and be stationed in a specific position. And as the lone No 6, Lampard tried to buildup play through Kante. While he can take on that responsibility and execute it, that’s not playing to his strengths. Tuchel has gone back to the basics and put a Jorginho to take on the buildup play responsibilities and that has allowed Kante to be Kante..odd pairing but it works.

[@emmanuelknansah2902]

Agree with you firmly, idk how so many people view Kante so wrongly, only with France at WC18 and sometimes under Lampard was Kante a CDM, but he typically was always at his best in a 2 man midfield

[@farhadchaudhry]

Not an odd pairing at all. It's one that's very old. Scholes - Keane and Pirlo - Gattuso, to name 2 famous examples.

[@tekkytekkers647]

@Exalt Chrom he's knowledge is lacking

[@azgardian32odinson]

Yep.. people putting kante into a box he doesn't belong in

[@rajanv6888]

Thanks for making this video 😊. I have a suggestion for a future video, 'The Evolution of Goalkeepers'. From old shot stoppers to modern era ball playing 'sweeper' goal keepers.

[@FootballMeta]

Another great suggestion, I think I will make a whole dedicated playlist to how each position is evolving

[@rajanv6888]

@@FootballMeta I think you should 😁, I think it would be one of a kind.

[@user-gm9bj9jl3q]

I really enjoy your content, it's informative and easy to understand

[@milotrix44]

Seriously love your videos! Teaches and reminds me of a lot

[@denisealwaysslays]

Thanks for explaining the central midfield different roles. This is onw of the most key role position for a team to be good. You need a player with good skills and brain.

[@pianomerchant1830]

Brilliant and insightful

[@SingerForLife7]

My fav cdm(holding midfielder)jorguniho and deep lying playmaker will be andrae prilo of Italy

[@njrneo9451]

No mention of Busquets🙄

[@ClipFaceGun]

Teams who win World cups Euros and Champions leagues and major league Trophies 99% of the time have a world class CDM ... FACT!!!

[@SW-kr9fl]

Absolutely. The most important position for team balance

[@HIM-lk6of]

This was a good listen. With the variety of players under the umbrella term of DMF that role is very important in the modern game. I've been blessed to see incredible DLPM, Destroyers, Pivots and various hybrids. I was waiting to hear Sergio Busquets name dropped as a top example of a pivot. What's your take on him currently not necessarily on his past abilities, role and accomplishments. CFC's MF is blessed with an array of different yet complementary parts. Kante is a really special player. Thanks for great content mate.

[@FootballMeta]

Thanks man appreciate it! Yeah I regret not having atleast mentioned Busquets. I was so focused on thinking of a great dlpm and holding mid that I just forgot to include him.. but don't get me wrong he is definitely one of the best in this position, just an oversight on my end

[@prayagvfx]

His Pronoumcoations R excellent with this tactical videos. Keep going mate. #kattakbfcfan

[@sceneryj]

Great video and explanation of the role. The explanation of Kante's move higher up the pitch strikes me as potentially being the same reason why Hojbjerg is often times playing higher up, rather than as the deepest midfielder - despite his excellent turnover abilities.

[@michaell4943]

Yh with Ajax. Frenkie De Jong played as the deepest cm, but highest cb even though he was the most creative, has the best passing range, close control and ball playing skills. He plays this deep so he has more space to be creative and can see the pitch way bigger to pick them passes out. He let Schone play higher up but he is more of a dog, a ball winner. Way more effective higher up as there is more players to get the ball off

[@commentarytalk1446]

Agree, this position is where football Meta of tactics is most selective pressure acting on. Looks like Chelsea have excellent options here: Kante as Destroyer up the pitch to disrupt the opposition's "Pivot" AND Jorginho as their "Pivot". Guess that in part explains their CL win. Italy with Bonucci then delegated long-range passing compared with Pogba, thus cross passing sooner which I think is inevitable ie Liverpool with VVD and TAA ie think of Pirlo but combined into a defender to delegate that long-range pass option. Always was a fan of William Carvalho for Portugal and helping them win their Euros gold. But Jorginho in this Euros is superlative with even more ball control both in pivot and in creative offence up the pitch, able to absorb pressure and still pass intricately and accurately and creatively.

[@brucechua6630]

Great channel!

[@armchaircritic4178]

Excellent video.

[@DpKris]

When I was a kid i dint pay attention to CDM while playing FIFA, but now it is one of my favourite position and most importatnt player in the team.

[@rishilimboo7800]

This video has no dislike because it's one of the most useful video on KZbin 👍🏽

[@FootballMeta]

haha thanks man appreciate it

[@kieran8845]

It's the most important role on the pitch , when your CDM plays a blinder you usually win and vice versa if he's not at the races. Not just shielding the back 4 but providing stability in the centre of the pitch and moving the ball forward to start attacks from deep.

[@fiz770]

Really hope that u can talk about rangers tactics in the next video

[@Amarnath-ik4fy]

Where is Don Casemiro. Who played a pivotal part in bagging 3 consecutive Champions league for Madrid. Best modern day CDM for me cz Kante is not playing pure CDM role now.

[@Humanoid14]

Totally agreed. How can no one mention Casemiro? He's the best

[@adegbiteolabanji5809]

Y'all probably watched a different video

[@limaontoby3300]

The cdm and holding midfielder aren’t necessarily same . Cdm acts as the 5th defender and tasked with the responsibility to cover up for other defenders when they overlap. Be it the full back or center back . While a holding midfielder must hold his position and defend for the team , he’s not tasked to cover up for any overlapping defenders and he must have a good vision and passing ability more than the cdm . Rodri is a holding midfielder, while a casemiro is a cdm . Now you understand why it seems like casemiro wins more tackles while rodri plays more passes into the final third note the difference guys

[@DNH17]

This was one of the most educative and informative videos on soccer ever seen. Thanks. Where is it possible to learn these things, i played football a lot at competitive level but never heard this. Coaches do not teach foootball as all have their method, i never researched all this... Does it come from books, companies u work with, or mere observation, and your talen for speaking and so on?

[@shalom-enochyessuff3369]

I’ve heard similar football concepts from other KZbin channels. I’d highly recommend Football Made Simple. Unfortunately I just don’t think a lot of coaches understand tactics to these levels so u just have to look on the internet for ppl who do

[@DNH17]

@@shalom-enochyessuff3369 coaches at high level are well beyond this otherwise there wld be much more space for us. In italy there is a block for players, only ex players are rrally allowed to coach, not those who study or come from outside, these ppl have really few spots that have to gain with finger and nails. In germany things changed few years ago...

[@essidrovital6397]

8:30 true, marking and awareness. I choose cdm because i intercept attacks 0:45 usually 1:40 100%true

[@sakuragi_hanamichi3263]

Can you continue explaining the rules of each position?

[@Chikupati06]

Pls make videos on players analysis like xavi iniesta pirlo mekelele etc

[@farhanurmiah2635]

thanks

[@getemmibang5984]

Help me out please how I can improve as my positioning and awareness passing as I play cam

[@fcalera5723]

Hello, I agree CDM is a key position on the pitch, may be the most important one at high level football. You forgot to talk about box to box midfielders ( Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes Místicos) which became quite rare nowadays and which are quite different from the deep lying playmakers or "regista" ( Pirlo, Xavi Alonso, Schweinsteigger, Gaetano D'Agostino). Xavi Hernandez, Modric or Verón are more like a creative holding midfielder. Defensive holding midfielders would be like Patrick Vieira, Edgar Davids Gennaro Gatuso or Paul Pogba. Real defensive central midfielders are like Claude Makelele, Gilberto Silva, Emerson, Casemiro and Kanté. Joshua Kimmich is a more defensive "Xabi Alonso" and quicker "Sergio Busquets".

[@Saltiren]

I love the CDM position, but I love the 4-4-2 formation too...

[@henrichristophe5310]

Viera and Gilberto

[@Saltiren]

@@henrichristophe5310 sorry I'm a football newbie haha, what do those names mean? Do they play in a 442?

[@henrichristophe5310]

@@SaltirenPatrick Viera and Gilberto played in 4-4-2 formation in arsenal (mid 2000s) Viera was the box2box and Gilberto was Dm.

[@Saltiren]

@@henrichristophe5310 oh cool! I'll check them about. Patrick Vieria and Gilberto Silva

[@ethancross2603]

under conte, sarri and tuchel: kante does not play the in the holding role, he played next to matic (who was the deepest player) and jorginho. still dobt understand how you havent mentioned busquets too lol

[@AMAL_vijayan]

CDM is the most important position in football. Just watch the UCL final City vs Chelsea .

[@lazyelegance5017]

Cdm position is defined by Busquets. He is not mentioned 🤣

[@chardinnguehou1442]

What about busquets?

[@limaontoby3300]

Check any title winning side , they got a decent top class cdm is the engine of the team

[@cam18eo]

Suggestion: What's the best way to attack against 5 at the back formations?

[@LightGreenCorona]

Depends on how deep they defend, but I assume you mean very deep (~parking the bus). A basic principle is minimal overload in the last line (front 3 vs. 4 at the back and front 4 vs. a back 5), causing a maximum of Communication for the defense and a lot of movement. This creates (although) tight Spaces, so accurate and creative, sometimes risky passes are needed. Since the defense lies so deep, their way to your own goal is far, so securing against counter attacks is crucial. If set up properly, more risky passes and crosses and shots can be attempted, often easier from the half space, since a back 5 is very wide.

[@sportsnewz5608]

Deep playmaker The first player the team will attempt to get the ball to Excellent passing range Often providing long arching balls to the wing

[@adriandaloisio3729]

How different is cdm to cam I have been playing cam the last few years but my coach wants me to play more of a cdm role. Would appreciate if someone explained the big differences to me.

[@jihwanfive]

always send thumbs up!

[@sampurinton825]

Thiago Motta at PSG was a very underrated pivot.

[@Tangeni.]

The CDM is an important position

[@hakimi4795]

Make a video on center midfield.

[@fruit_fingrr]

It is the most important

[@jonathangasana]

How good is Pirlo defensively??

[@djsportingbeatz]

nice one, which software are you using on for your videos

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you! I use DaVinci resolve

[@djsportingbeatz]

@@FootballMeta Thanks brother, I love to make tactics videos, I am studying to work as a sports director in football.

[@FootballMeta]

Nice one! Keep at it man 💪🏻

[@arthurgeorge4977]

I was once a forwarder but I don't know how I transform to CDM and my friends says they prefer me in CDM but I want to be a CDM who can also play CM and can also control d midfield

[@sportsnewz5608]

Holding Midfielder Deep-playmaker Holding Midfielder: able to stop opposition in the attack. Helping with the teams build up. His position is rather static in nature. He can switch from right to left or shift back to the backline. He rarely goes up the pitch to stop the attack

[@blackcoffeenocream1]

True

[@devashishsinghbisht8630]

Please video on Center midfielder

[@LukakuGOALZSKILLS]

1:02 Maguire has been playing since the 1930s 😂😂

[@divinecomedy7311]

Didnt Duncan Edwards start the whole transition from defensive to attacking option

[@therealmuffinseller9686]

I’m best at winger but my coach makes me go cdm cuz I’m the only mid experience so I’m here now

[@avaspal4196]

when someone talks about cdm talk always of sergio busquets cause there will never be a player like him

[@indrohari1908]

Wait what deep lying playmaker or regista mostly used in 442,4231 ??? Take for example Pirlo best used as regista mostly in 3 man midfield as deepest midfielder with two outside midfielder shielding him to reduce his defensive duty ..

[@FootballMeta]

I think Pogba at man utd is a good example, plays deep and has an excellent passing range to pick out players up top

[@ryanfinnerty6239]

Thiago/Verratti/ Pjanic/ De Jong( to an extent) are all registas that played in single pivots.

[@abdifatah-abu-osob]

I differ with Jorginho as the pivot; he is more of deep-lying midfielder than the pivot. He has defensive weaknesses and is not mobile enough to scan and protect the back four all by himself

[@rhodigian]

Does Marcelo Brozovic (while playing for Inter) fit in this definition of holding CDM?

[@xatarbaba1455]

Yes

[@buckies__]

Gilberto Silva

[@siddharthsingh7378]

He didn't mention busi as busi is a god of single pivot

[@estifman3122]

jorjinho is deep line play maker

[@revival25]

No mention of Busquets at all🙀

[@FootballMeta]

Yeah I feel guilty about that lol.. busquests is undoubtedly one of the best CDM's ever, but I felt makalele was a perfect holding mid, and pirlo one of the best playmakers.. with busquests being a hybrid of everything I didn't know how to work him into the tactics 🤣

[@revival25]

@@FootballMeta you could have talked about busquets in the Pivot section. He is the master of it.

[@miskerseleshe7349]

Xabi Alonso

[@turns2ashes]

Pirlo played at the base of a diamond and the lone CDM in a 5-3-2, he wasn’t part of a CDM pairing

[@underratedplayerstv5666]

No Busquets 😳😳😳😳

[@gaminghub0615]

What about casemiro the destroyer

[@mjfantuz]

The original was gaettano scirea

[@VesproDBA]

RIP Gaetano 1982 Campione del Mondo

[@zamokuhlethwala2487]

Rodri @Man City

[@boogzyt3591]

Centre back and centre mid

[@elimhingbovoosaluefoprince4633]

The position itself it's called holding midfield not CDM it's always being interchanged Your explanation of Holding midfield is actually for the CDM Holding midfielder is the name of all kinds of deep midfielders

[@conmimo77]

Casemiro....

[@SPARKLEPANDA4LIFE]

KDB the modern day DLP under Pep.

[@raheemedwards4761]

Kimmich is somehow both.

[@AnkitKumar-hq3zl]

great channel. love your videos. CASEMIRO>>>>>>KANTE

[@FootballMeta]

Ooph

[@Josh55ify]

Would love to collaborate with you! I'm an ex collegiate player, national finalist. Want to start youtubing but would love to start in a partnership! How can we contact you?

[@lukah3537]

Luis Monti greatest destroyer ever.

[@tekkytekkers647]

Your comments on Pogba was strange yes he has amazing passing range but does not have the qualities to play that role.

[@varunbukka9225]

@FootballMeta How tf you talk about the pivot role and not mention Sergio Busquets who was the best at the role in his Prime? Proves the point what people say, that Busquets will always be underrated. "You see the game you don't see Busquets, but you see Busquets and you see the whole game"💙♥️

[@_awtf_7306]

OMG SLAY QUEENIE HASHTAG GAY BESTIES

[@MarinerLingus]

Before Maklele @ Chelsea, Rafa had this system at Valencia, with Albelda, Baraja & Aimar, later @ Lpool it was Mascherano, Alonso & Gerrard. A tough tackling DM, a deep lying playmaker and a free roaming AM. But his DM was always there. Moreover Jorginho was identified by Rafa and signed for Napoli, before he moved to Chelsea. At Barca it Was Xavi.. Moreover Pep had Xavi in his prime after Xavi left Barca in 2015 they were not the same. I could argue that this was made popular by Rafa during his Valencia days, but not many managers follow it, but if you see most of the successful teams had a good DM, Makelele, Essien, Xavi, Kante, Mascherano, Gattuso, Viera, Roy Keane, Fernandinho, Hamann in CL 2005 final especially. If you see the latest CL final Pep did not play Fernandhinho & Kante made the difference. Intelligent PEP

[@Only1Patel]

Talking about CDMs without mentioning Busquets. Pure Criminal.

[@Jokerxeno1]

buscuits is cheating trash. All of barcelona for the matter

[@al_wombat]

Comment.

[@sususegar]

Ask any rational United fan now and they'll totally agree it's the most important position that Mr. Feelgood Vibes Ole solved by buying Ronaldo and Sancho.

[@vordark304007]

sorry but kante not a playmaker

[@lemonslice1733]

A Box to box midfielder is kinda somewhat between ball winning midfielder and a playmaker so he was kinda half a play maker

[@Qassimsport]

I do not know why not you speaking about the Argentinian & Brazilian players in this position & all of the midfield positions, even though both countries included the best players in the history of football!!!!!!!💢💢💢💢

[@kevingisa8462]

So a deep lying playmaker allways need a holding midfielder or what?

[@ibrahimal-azri6323]

I think this guy doesn’t like Real Madrid

[@KingRood10]

Busquets is a good CDM