Breaking Down The Holding Midfielder Role: Tactic Explained

In football, one of the most tactically important roles is that of the holding midfielder. Deployed in front of the defensive unit, who work as a pivot or an anchor in a team. A holding midfielder is the connection point between defence and attack; they dictate the rhythm of a game, break the gameplay of the opposition, and create between midfield and defence. Whether solidifying the backline, gaining possession, or creating an offensive move, the holding midfielder is the heartbeat of a team. With the evolution of formations, be it 4-4-2 diamond, 4-3-3, or 3-4-3 setup, the significance of a holding midfielder has grown due to the technical efficiency and tactical necessity.

As teams have now focused on aggressive styles of play instead of rigid tactics, the importance of this role in the midfield has only grown. When a team attacks with full force, holding midfielders are those who remain stationed in the midfield, keeping the defensive shape in check. Football has witnessed the rise of a plethora of talents who have not only graced this position with elegance but also established themselves as the best holding midfielders in football. From ex-Barcelona midfield mind Sergio Busquets to Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, Arsenal's invincible Patrick Vieira, and Claude Makelele have written their legacy in the game, demonstrating their greatness.

What is a Holding Midfielder?

In order to understand what a holding midfielder is, we need to take a closer look at the roles of these midfielders with a detailed breakdown of the position. The idea of the holding midfielder position was introduced to fill the gap between the two central midfielders or the gap between midfield and defence. The main idea was to occupy the places in the middle of the park that remain exposed in case of the attacking moves of other midfielders. But, with the resurrection of every position in football, not only do defensive-minded players fill in the boots of the holding midfielders, but also the normal central midfielders are given that responsibility in today’s game.

If the primary traits of a holding midfielder are conveyed effectively, then those will be: positional discipline, interception and ball recovery, keeping possession, passing range and vision, stamina, leadership, and anchoring in build-up. Those who play the roles of the holding midfielders, primarily in the positions of number “6”, must be blessed with tactical awareness and great decision-making skills. Their main focus is the solidification of defence while paving a smooth path for attacking midfielders and forwards to carry out offensive moves.

If you want to understand what a holding midfielder does in the play, then you must know how they are positioned on the pitch and what roles they play in their teams’ successes. It’s always good to have a player with great positioning sense, a calm mind under pressure, and great passing with unmatched stamina. These players influence the tempo of the game by stopping attacks, keeping possession of the ball, and initiating attacks from the back, meaning a holding midfielder has two roles: defensive and offensive.

List of 5 Best Holding Midfielders in Football

Here is the list of the five best holding midfielders in the world in 2025 that we have compiled on the basis of performance metrics:

What makes a Holding Midfielder effective?

A holding midfielder must sense danger while stationed just in front of the backline. They should be fluent in keeping possession of the ball and play quick passes, cutting the lines of the opponents. In terms of attacking, holding midfielders often collect the ball in the defensive areas and play both offensive and defensive passes, providing enough time for forwards to make offensive moves. These midfielders must have great decision-making ability to make forward passes directed to attackers. Agility, composure, vision, tactical awareness and a sense of orchestrating fluid football. Now, let’s delve into the necessary traits of an effective holding midfielder.

• Positional Discipline: A world-class holding midfielder keeps positional discipline, which, intercepting attacking moves and creating a one-man defensive line ahead of the backline, are the fundamental duties of a holding midfielder. Also, resisting the temptation of going high or into the wide areas during offensive press also makes them unique and effective in ensuring tactical maintenance.
• Communication & Leadership: The most important quality holding midfielders should possess is great communication skills, as they often play the roles of anchor or pivot in the team. They have to organise the defence and midfield in both defensive and offensive approaches, by properly communicating with other players, the balance in the backline can get disrupted.
• Strength and Stamina: Only leadership qualities do not win team games, as strength and stamina also play a crucial role in that. Holding midfielders have to cover almost 90% of a football pitch with agility and determination, and for that, physical strength and stamina are the most important traits required. Their performances in games mostly depend on how quickly and strongly they can tackle or carry the ball forward.
• Ball Control & Passing: Keeping the ball under control and tearing the defensive line with precise passing – two most effective traits that are required in holding the midfield position. These players must have the ability to distribute passes, keep possession and play long ones to spread the play across the ground or set up forwards for goals.
• Elite decision-making: Holding midfielders are the metronomes of a team – slowing down the game or boosting the pace of the game when necessary. Based on the scenario, they make decisions about the proceedings of the game. Even under immense pressure in tight positions, they tend to stay calm and composed before distributing passes. They act like a ringmaster in a circus with everything under their control.
• Defensive ability: Holding midfielders have to use their intelligence in anticipating to intercept passes and retain the loose balls effectively. Without strong tackling ability, it is almost impossible to stay proactive as a holding midfielder, as defence is the primary task they are placed for in the middle. They will also have to be ready for physical challenges, especially against high-pressure teams.

Top 5 Best Holding Midfielders Currently

After understanding the role of a holding midfielder and how they influence the game. What makes them effective on the pitch? We have hand-picked the top five best holding midfielders who have excelled in this position.

Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

Liverpool's midfield general Ryan Gravenberch, is a prime example of a perfect holding midfielder. He was a key man in Arne Slot's set-up, placed in the midfield, and brought significant balance to the team. He is an all-rounder midfielder with exceptional technicality, passing, and physicality. composure and vision. The Dutch international Gravenberch was deployed in the holding midfielder role at Liverpool, and he did an excellent job as a number six.

One of the main reasons for his rise as one of the best holding midfielders in football was his unparalleled stamina and defensive awareness. In the 2024-25 season, he made 49 appearances for the Reds in all competitions and helped them claim the English Premier League title.

Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)

The Ecuadorian sensation Moises Caicedo's rise to the top has been meteoric, from breaking out as a promising midfielder with Brighton & Hove to establishing himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world at Chelsea. In the 2023 summer transfer window, the London club signed him for a record transfer fee of €133.4 million. The 23-year-old has proven his worth as a holding midfielder, acting as a vital cog for the Blues.

Sitting in front of the defensive backline, Caicedo is a tactical genius who could anticipate the danger, making interceptions, breaking the opposition's play and winning the ball back and spreading the play with his passing, vision and composure. He hardly gets nervous, maintains calmness in receiving the ball and keeps to himself with ease.

Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)

Aurelien Tchouameni is one of the best holding midfielders in the world. Unlike fellow legendary number sixes like Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, Tchouameni isn't a destroyer; his profile is similar to that of his club manager Xabi Alonso. The Frenchman has a great positional awareness that enables him to anticipate moves; his long passes and vision allow him to initiate attacking moves. Tchouameni possesses high tactical intelligence and defensive skills, such as tackling, interception, and clearance.

Recently, he has been used as a centre-back as well due to his calmness and defensive attributes, thanks to his versatility. However, he thrives when given the deep-lying role, sitting deep to help defenders, launching counters, and playing short passes to disrupt opponents’ formations. Thus, the Frenchman is among the best holding midfielders in football.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Over the years, Joshua Kimmich has built his reputation as one of the best midfielders of this generation. The German star is exceptionally talented and has attracted significant success for his teams with his stellar performances. Pep Guardiola played a vital role in teaching Joshua the skillsets of a holding midfielder and brought the best out of him, instilling maturity. His passing, vision, tactical awareness, and positional knowledge help him to read the spaces and set the tempo of the play, sitting deep.

Kimmich is an expert in playing out from the back by disseminating long passes with precision. Kimmich is one of the most decorated midfielders with 9 Bundesliga crowns, a UEFA Champions League, European Super Cup, 3 DFB Pokal, and 7 German Super Cups.

Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)

The latest midfield addition of the North London giants Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi is the next name on our list of best holding midfielders in the world. The Spaniard gained significant attention after his standout performances with Spain, lifting the UEFA Euro 2024 and UEFA Nations League in 2023. At the club level, he was a part of Real Sociedad's 2019/20 Copa Del Rey success and helped them secure UEFA Champions League qualification.

He comes from the Basque region, famous for producing elite midfielders. Martin Zubimendi is an expert in controlling the tempo on the back with the ability to sit back in front of the defence, absorbing the high pressing and playing line-breaking passes. The 26-year-old is having a tremendous start at Emirates Stadium, securing a first-team position in the debut campaign.