The top 10 "utility players"

The role of the utility player - a player whose versatility allows managers to double up in other positions without risk is under threat. Increasing tactical flexibility means that many defenders are more at ease on the ball and can move into midfield, while wingers are frequently moved from one flank to the other without the team disintegrating.

However, is utility still worthwhile? Is it required? Even so, is it a real job? Utility may be going extinct, so we should appreciate them now.

Here are some of the greatest athletes of the century, ranked using a top-secret system that takes flexibility and football skill into account. But we will only look at players that are playing currently.

10.  ASHLEY YOUNG

Positions: RB, CB, LB, CM, RW, AM, LW, CF

Literally every position on the pitch! Ashley Young might be considered the best utility player of his generation if he weren't Manchester United's standard bearer for mediocrity.

Ashley Young frequently played as either a right or left winger during his early years at Aston Villa. Young continued to play as a winger when SAF acquired him for Manchester United.

Young's situation changed under Jose Mourinho's leadership at Manchester United. Young was frequently used by Mou as either the Left or Right Wing Back or occasionally as either the Left or Right Back in his infamous 3-5-2 system. Young started at centre defence against Wolves during the end of the 2018–19 campaign but was dismissed after less than an hour.

Young was also acquired by Antonio Conte for Inter Milan and utilised these identical spots. In actuality, to cut a long tale short, Young is a defender now.

9. DALEY BLIND

Position: LB, LWB, CM, DM, CB.

Daley Blind is without a doubt one of the most adaptable football players.

Blind initially played as a left-back throughout his time at Ajax. He became at ease playing centre-back as well. Notably, Blind served as a defensive midfielder, left wing-back, centre-back, and left-back for Manchester United during the Louis van Gaal era.

Blind received a lot of attention for his outstanding performance in these roles.

8. DAVID ALABA

Positions: LB, CM, DM, LM

Alaba began playing as a left-back at the start of his career. Alaba was switched to Center back at Bayern Munich as a result of the acquisition of Alphonso Davies. Alaba played in the same position for Real Madrid after settling into his new position as centre-back with ease.

Alaba frequently played further forward for Austria's national team as a left winger, defensive midfielder, Centre Midfielder or attacking Midfielder.

7. ALPHONSO DAVIES

Position: LB, LWB, RWF, LM

Davies frequently played as a right winger for the MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps. He was usually used as a left winger, though.

Davies was first acquired by Bayern Munich as a left-winger, but he quickly switched to left-back. Davies usually plays as a left winger for his country Canada.

There's no doubt that if he keeps up with his amazing performance, he might just become the greatest LB of his generation.

6. FABINHO

Positions: RB, CB, CM, DM

Fabinho frequently played as a defender especially as a right back and a midfielder while he was at Monaco.

In Liverpool's (2020–21) injury-riddled season, Klopp frequently used Fabinho as a centre-back.

5. CESAR AZPILICUETA

Positions: RB, CB, LB

The defender, who was born in Pamplona, first won the Premier League championship in 2014–15 while playing defensive left-back for Jose Mourinho.  He later won it again while playing right centre-back for Antonio Conte in the Italian's renowned three-man defence, which relied heavily on overlapping wing-backs.

He has been a pillar of constancy amidst that sea of positional changes in an otherwise disorganised backline during 2019–20, Frank Lampard has used him as right back, centre back, and left back.

4. SAUL ÑÍGUEZ

Positions: CB, LB, CM, RW, LW

Saul's ability to play as a deep-lying midfielder, an attacking midfielder, and even as a right or left midfielder is one of his best skills. His best position is arguably in the centre, where he can play box-to-box because he can make a difference upfront and has the stamina to come back and assist.

3. EMRE CAN

Positions: RB, CB, LB, DM, CM

Can is a German who plays a variety of positions fairly well. The Borussia Dortmund player has experience playing in full-back positions in addition to central and defensive midfield positions.

The German has played central midfield for Juventus, a position he is comfortable with, but he is also capable of playing in defence.

2. Joshua KIMMICH

Positions: DM, CM, RB

One of the world's most technically adept football players is Joshua Kimmich. He excels in a variety of positions, but especially in central midfield and right-back. The German international made an immediate impact as a hustling defensive midfielder, but he also excelled when used as a right-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield has been brought up frequently by England supporters, and Kimmich is the best illustration of that change. After establishing himself as a right-back, he has evolved into a steady figure who can push forward and attack while also disrupting play and defending the backline. He accomplishes this with ridiculous ease for the club and nation.

Kimmich represented Bayern Munich in the 2021–22 campaign as a right-back, defensive midfielder, and central midfielder. It's not every day you see a player who can claim to be the best in 3 positions easily.

1. James MILNER

Positions: RB, LB, CM, RW, AM, LW, CF

Except for centre-back, James Milner has played everywhere on the field. Although he was mostly thought of as a winger when he was younger, Milner is now more frequently used as a full-back or central midfielder. The Yorkshireman even played a few of the games as Man City's lone centre-forward in late 2014.

Notably, Milner was a left-back for Liverpool the whole 2016–17 season. Alberto Moreno struggled and was quite unreliable during that season. More so than Moreno, Milner was the left-back Klopp trusted, and the Englishman did not let him down.