Will Philipp Lahm’s move from right-back to midfield turn out to be better? Most footballers stick to their strengths throughout their careers, with defenders staying as defenders and strikers staying as strikers. However, some players excel when they shift roles, often thanks to a lucky break or a great coaching decision. Lahm’s shift from right-back to central midfielder, suggested by Josep Guardiola, could be one such brilliant move, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Here are ten football legends who became more successful after changing their roles:
1. John Charles – Leeds United, Juventus, Wales
John Charles started as a center-back for Leeds United but was moved to forward when the team struggled to score. He scored 11 goals in 6 games and continued to impress with 39 goals in his last season for Leeds. He then moved to Juventus, where he became a legendary striker, winning several titles and earning the nickname “Il Gigante Buono.”
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2. Franz Beckenbauer – Bayern Munich, West Germany
Beckenbauer was initially an attacking midfielder but was repositioned to defense during the 1966 World Cup. He later pioneered the role of an attacking sweeper or libero, transforming the game with his ability to read the field and drive forward. His leadership led Bayern Munich to multiple titles and Germany to a World Cup victory in 1974.
3. Ray Kennedy – Liverpool, England
Ray Kennedy, known for his time as a center-forward at Arsenal, was repositioned to midfield at Liverpool. Under manager Bob Paisley, Kennedy excelled as a midfielder, helping Liverpool win numerous league titles and European Cups with his effective playmaking and late runs into the box.
4. Paul Scholes – Manchester United, England
Initially playing as a striker, Scholes was moved to midfield after Roy Keane’s injury. He thrived in his new role, showcasing his exceptional passing and scoring abilities, which contributed significantly to Manchester United’s success domestically and in Europe.
5. Thierry Henry – Arsenal, France
Henry began his career as a winger but was moved to striker at Arsenal. Despite a rocky start, he developed into one of the best strikers, known for his pace and finishing skills, helping Arsenal win two league titles and shining with Barcelona and the French national team.
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6. Andrea Pirlo – Brescia, AC Milan, Juventus, Italy
Pirlo started as an attacking midfielder but was shifted to a deeper role at Brescia. He excelled as a deep-lying playmaker at AC Milan and Juventus, contributing to multiple Serie A titles and Champions League victories, and was pivotal in Italy’s 2006 World Cup win.v
7. Bastian Schweinsteiger – Bayern Munich, Germany
Initially a winger, Schweinsteiger was moved to a central midfield role by coach Louis van Gaal. His new position allowed him to become a key player for Bayern Munich and Germany, leading to a treble-winning season with Bayern and a World Cup victory in 2014.
8. Robin van Persie – Arsenal, Manchester United, Holland
Van Persie was a winger at Feyenoord but was converted into a striker by Arsène Wenger at Arsenal. His remarkable goal-scoring season with Arsenal led to a successful move to Manchester United, where he helped win the Premier League title in 2013.
9. Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, Wales
Bale started as a left-back but was moved to left wing at Tottenham. His transformation into a winger with explosive pace and skill led to a world record transfer to Real Madrid, where he continued to excel and win major titles.
10. Vincent Kompany – Manchester City, Belgium
Kompany began as a defensive midfielder but was later moved to center-back at Manchester City. His strong defensive performances and leadership helped Manchester City win multiple Premier League titles and establish themselves as a top team.
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