Playbook Part 3.4 – Roles & Archetypes: Deep Midfielders
Structure, Style, Strategy – the LiberoUno way
Functional Holder
The Functional Holder is a no-nonsense player. Their main task is to sit in front of the backline, win the ball, and quickly pass it to a nearby teammate. This role is a low-risk, safety-first approach, much like the classic defender archetype. While it helps for this player to be comfortable on the ball, it’s not their primary concern. They focus on the defensive duties and playing simple passes.
- In-game Role: Defensive Midfielder (Defend)
- High profile examples include: Rodri, Ugarte & Andrich
Creative Holder
The Creative Holder is a more intelligent, vision-driven player. While they still have similar defensive duties to the Functional Holder, they rely more on their decision-making and intelligence rather than brute strength. On the ball, this player is given more freedom to attempt riskier passes and creative plays, but they’re no showboater. They will only attempt difficult passes if they see an opportunity, using their vision and composure to dictate play from deep.
- In-game Role: Deeplying Playmaker (Defend)
- High profile examples include: Xhaka, Zubimendi & Lobotka
Functional Runner
The Functional Runner is a player full of energy, constantly working hard to cover the pitch, win the ball back, and press high. They’ll get from box to box, never shying away from defensive or attacking duties. While in possession, they will keep things simple, but don’t be surprised to see them score the odd long-range shot or arrive in the box late to get on the end of a cross.
- In-game Role: Defensive Midfielder (Support) when playing with an Attacking Back on that side | Segundo Volante (Support) when playing with a Progressive Back on that side
- High profile examples include: Kamara, Caicedo & Goretzka
Creative Runner
The Creative Runner is a deeper playmaker with much more freedom to roam and dictate play. Think of a Pirlo-type player – someone with the ability to spray passes, dictate the tempo, and control the game from deep. This role is only for special talents who can handle the responsibility, as the risk can be high. If the player has the right abilities, they’ll be given free rein to drive the ball forward and make incisive passes.
- In-game Role: Regista (Support) when playing with an Attacking Back on that side* | Roaming Playmaker (Support) when playing with a Progressive Back on that side
- High profile examples include: de Jong, Gravenberch & Vitinha
*If this role is being played on the side of an Attacking Back then I would change the Attacking Back’s role fromWing-Back to Full-Back(still with Attacking duty)
IMPORTANT: In my systems, the midfield pivot is built around two key archetypes: the Holder and the Runner. The Holder’s role is to protect the defence, disrupt opposition attacks, and recycle possession — and depending on the player, they can do this in either a functional or creative way. The Runner adds energy, covers more ground, and supports both ends of the pitch, again with either a functional or creative focus.
In a single pivot, I will always use a Holder. In a double pivot, I aim to pair a Functional Player with a Creative Player, but if necessary, I’ll settle for two Functional Players. I will never use two Creative Players together, as that leaves the team too exposed. Whatever the combination, one will always act as the Holder, and the other as the Runner.
Next Up…
In Part 3.5, I’ll be moving up the pitch to focus on the next group in the squad: the advanced midfielders. These are the players link midfield to attack.