Xabi Alonso deployed Eduardo Camavinga on the right wing in Sunday’s El Clásico with devastating effect. The Frenchman – predominantly a central midfielder – has now played as both a left-back and a right-winger for Real Madrid.
This positional flexibility puts him among a prestigious list of players; here’s our top 10 most versatile of the 21st century.
10) Raphinha
While many players are deployed across the front three, few are as comfortable in all positions as Barcelona’s Raphinha.
The left-footed Brazilian has over 100 appearances on both wings, as well as numerous stints through the middle as either an attacking midfielder or second striker.
His two-footedness makes him equally effective from both sides; he’s scored 55 goals as a right-winger and 52 goals from the left.
9) Emre Can
Can’s versatility has been both a blessing and a curse throughout his career.
Used predominantly as a defensive midfielder, Can has filled in at centre-back, both full-back positions, a more advanced central midfield role and even at left midfield.
During his time at both Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, his versatility has meant he has often been called upon to plug gaps when systems change or injuries hit. He’s always been a dependable presence wherever he has played, but has stunted his growth as an out-and-out defensive midfielder.
8) Daley Blind
Blind is the perfect example of a player who relied upon game intelligence rather than physical attributes to thrive in a number of positions.
Across spells with the Dutch national team, Ajax, Manchester United and now Girona, Daley Blind was utilised as a centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield. He was never blessed with significant pace or physicality, yet his reading of the game and anticipation was among the best in the world.
7) Federico Valverde
Camavinga isn’t the only Madrid midfielder to be utilized across the pitch.
During Alonso’s right-back injury crisis that saw both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold on the sidelines, Valverde has been filling in admirably on the right of the defence.
While most comfortable as a central midfielder, the Uruguyuan has over 30 appearances as both a right midfielder and a right winger. His athleticism and intelligence allow him to operate anywhere on the right flank to a world-class standard.
6) Eduardo Camavinga
Camavinga pips his Madrid teammate purely because his versatility is on both sides of the pitch.
Following a lengthy injury to fellow French international Ferland Mendy in 2023, Camavinga was used as a left-back. He wasn’t just a temporary stop-gap, he made the position his own across the season with strong performances in La Liga, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
In the recent El Clásico, he started as a central midfielder but was later unleashed on the right wing.
Still only 22, expect to see Camavinga rise up this list as he continues to make his mark in a number of positions across the pitch.
5) Joshua Kimmich
When Phillip Lahm retired, Bayern and German fans mourned not only the loss of an icon, but of a near-irreplaceable profile of a player comfortable across so many positions.
Enter Joshua Kimmich – the heir to Lahm’s throne in so many ways.
His evolution from right-back to world-class holding midfielder was seamless. He is regularly called upon to fill either berth, often switching mid-season depending on injuries or tactical requirements.
Kimmich isn’t quick, he isn’t strong, but he reads the game better than nearly anyone and can deliver pinpoint passes from anywhere on the pitch.
When Kimmich eventually calls it a day, will lightning strike three times for Bayern and Germany?
4) David Alaba
One of the world’s best left-backs at Bayern. Carried the hopes of his nation as a central midfielder. Now an assured ball playing centre-back for Real Madrid – David Alaba has done it all.
Nothing seems to phase David Alaba, whether in possession or under pressure defensively. His composure on the ball and elite positioning has seen him excel across two positions in the defence and through the middle of midfield for club and country.
3) Phillip Lahm
Mr Dependable – before Kimmich there was Lahm.
Having spent much of his early career as a left-back, his prime was spent at right-back in the Bayern sides that dominated the Bundesliga and won the Champions League in 2013. After the arrival of Pep Guardiola, Lahm was reinvented as a central midfielder dictating play and controlling possession, often acting as a pivot to start attacks and contribute defensively.
2) Javier Zanetti
Primarily a right-back, Zanetti played at the highest level across both full-back positions, both wide midfield roles as well as in the centre of the park.
His tactical discipline and impressive fitness ensured he played well into his late 30s, adapting his positioning. He may have been losing a yard of pace, but his understanding of the game kept him at the top.
Over 850 appearances for Inter tell the story of a player trusted to play anywhere, anytime.
1) James Milner
The most versatile player of the 21st century bar none.
James Milner’s career has spanned more than two decades, and in that time he’s played in just about every outfield position available.
When he burst onto the scene at Leeds, Milner was an exciting winger who tormented full-backs. He spent much of his prime at Manchester City, still deployed out wide but in more of a conventional midfielder role as opposed to an out-and-out winger.
It was after his move to Liverpool that Milner’s ultimate versatility truly came to the fore. During his time at Liverpool he was primarily used as a central midfielder, but spent most of 2016/17 as one of the best left-backs in the league. After the signing of Andy Robertson, Milner returned to the middle of the park, but continued to be called upon to plug the gaps all over the pitch – including a short stint up front against West Ham in 2022.
Now at Brighton, he’s made 33 appearances – across 7 different positions.
With his 40th birthday just around the corner, James Milner’s longevity is as iconic as his versatility.
To complete a full-sweep of outfield positions played, somebody needs to persuade Fabian Hürzeler to deploy Milner as a centre-back. Stranger things have happened.
