But his best position is RB... almost anyone would agree.
Who are the greatest Jack of all trades, master of none players throughout history?
- Thread starter Fortitude
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Right back/right wing back without question. He was versatile so could play midfield but it doesn't make him a jack of all trades, master of none.
Cocu is probably the best answer you'll find I think, and Milner is the 2nd best shout I've seen in here (or can think of).
Seedorf? Played many positions even on the wings.
Ruud Gullit?
Ruud Gullit?
See above, both are too good for the question posed.
well No, imho his best season was when Inter won the treble. He played LB
For us perhaps Nicky butt?
Hence why I said "almost everyone". Also even that season he played in the midfield half of the time. But most agree his peak is late 90's/early 2000's individually where he was primarily a generational level talent at RB
Antonio Valencia
Alan Smith.
CF
SS
RM
CM
CF
SS
RM
CM
McTominay has been basically a centre-back and striker for Scotland while he has usually played as an holding midfielder for United, if we are going by positions.
Federico Valverde (all though I must admit I haven't watched him religously) has always struck me as a player that is very good at most aspects of the game but you are not really sure what his best qualities as a footballer are. Also could probably do a job anywhere across the pitch based on his skill-set.
Maybe stretching at a bit, but Pep has basically used Bernardo Silva as his own jack of all trades. Balancing issues in the middle of the park, put him next to Rodri holding. De Bruyne out, give Bernardo his position. Plays both wings if Pep wants someone to stretch the field and keep the ball and rhythm. Also was one of the first Pep tried in the Stones role resulting in him playing left-back to a decent enough standard in multiple games including an away win at the Emirates
Lesser known one but Fredrik Aursnes at Benfica can do basically whatever you want from him in midfield against whatever level of competition he comes up against but certainly doesn't have a defined world-class trait
Federico Valverde (all though I must admit I haven't watched him religously) has always struck me as a player that is very good at most aspects of the game but you are not really sure what his best qualities as a footballer are. Also could probably do a job anywhere across the pitch based on his skill-set.
Maybe stretching at a bit, but Pep has basically used Bernardo Silva as his own jack of all trades. Balancing issues in the middle of the park, put him next to Rodri holding. De Bruyne out, give Bernardo his position. Plays both wings if Pep wants someone to stretch the field and keep the ball and rhythm. Also was one of the first Pep tried in the Stones role resulting in him playing left-back to a decent enough standard in multiple games including an away win at the Emirates
Lesser known one but Fredrik Aursnes at Benfica can do basically whatever you want from him in midfield against whatever level of competition he comes up against but certainly doesn't have a defined world-class trait
Good shout though i feel like the Dutch had many of them. Even Kuytt could be considered one. Guess it fits with their approach to footie that you need to have experience playing just about any position.
It's true, but there was one point at Wednesday when you thought every week, "Sunbed's scored AGAIN!"
Clayton Blackmore is who someone was thinking of earlier, sure I read back when teams used to use numbers 1-11 in the positions, he was the only person to play in every number except number 1
It's definitely O Shea, not even close
Milner is a good shout.
Also because no one has mentioned them yet, Marcos Llorente and Hamit Altintop?
Also because no one has mentioned them yet, Marcos Llorente and Hamit Altintop?
Javier Zanetti is the best surely
If we're discussing a player that you can just shove into a position and get 15 minutes of a decent performance - deffo O'Shea.
If we're talking about a player who could be a defender when you need one, a midfielder, winger or even a striker, that'll be Milner, Rooney, Lahm for me.
If we're talking about a player who could be a defender when you need one, a midfielder, winger or even a striker, that'll be Milner, Rooney, Lahm for me.
Cuccureddu was pretty good. Played in every position bar the keeper’s (and wasn’t a truly special player in any of them).
No, because this thread isn’t about brilliant players.
Surely Muller is more the opposite, not very good at a lot of traditional things for an attacking midfielder/second striker like dribbling, pace, close control. But really good at attacking positioning and intelligence. They even gave him his own name for his position 'raumdeuter'.
James Milner comes to mind for me. Quite good at everything - decent passer, decent shot, decent defensively, good physique, reasonable pace. Can't think of anything he was outstanding at apart from maybe durability or physical fitness if you want to count them.
Diogo Dalot (poor mans Zanetti)
I think Cocu is a good pick for this idea, but if Lahm, Alaba, Seedorf, Zanetti are being considered too good, then i wouldn't have Cocu either. imo he was a better overall footballer than all of those players in terms of his skillset and tactical awareness, which is why despite being versatile, three of them ended up in less tactically and technically demanding defensive positions far more often. While Cocu was often tasked with being one of the players running the game in different midfield roles; i can't say i was convinced by Lahm as an elite midfielder at all, but saw Cocu in many games with stacked lineups where i thought he arguably played the best. Seedorf had similar talent and more athletic ability; probably more potential overall, but was imo a lot more hit and miss in his consistency until later in his career, which is a partly why he ended up playing a bit-part role at WC 98 and Euro 2000.
What? He had very specialist attributes and was a world class #10 and box-to-box player in his prime. Mediocre #6 though.
Antonio Valencia, jack of all trades? He barely used his left foot for us. He was a very specialist winger, pace and direct crossing.
Sheasy is a great shout. Put keeper gloves on him, problem solved! Send him up against Almunia, no problema! That chip over Almunia was magical. CB, LB, RB, any midfield position, piece of cake. Front line, give the man the ball.
Phil Jones. Right back. Centre back. Central midfield and corner taking duties.
And specialist right back and played cwntral midfield and attacking midfield for his national team. Still disagree about picking him though.
How did I miss thatNot sure about the other positions but Gerrard was definitely an elite attacking midfielder during 2005-2009, this forum can't even deny it.
Lindelof
Cocu was too good for this kind of thread. He was a master of many things and a top class player.
Milner seems like the quintessence of the thread.
I'd pick Phil Neville over o'shea. he ended up a handy midfielder in the end.
Milner seems like the quintessence of the thread.
I'd pick Phil Neville over o'shea. he ended up a handy midfielder in the end.
A different spin, Paul Pogba 
In his case, all trades beyond the halfway line
In his case, all trades beyond the halfway line
JLingz. Footballer, rapper, dancer, designer.
Fergie loves these types of players. O'Shea, Park, P. Neville, Jones to name a few.
Since Fergie left, I guess Daley Blind. Played to a decent level as left back, left-wing, CB and DMF.
Milner is the first player it comes to my mind when it comes to EPL. I think Nacho (who captains Madrid) plays everywhere in defense.
Since Fergie left, I guess Daley Blind. Played to a decent level as left back, left-wing, CB and DMF.
Milner is the first player it comes to my mind when it comes to EPL. I think Nacho (who captains Madrid) plays everywhere in defense.
Steve Watson
Brilliant player but was he ever the best in the business in one particular position at any one point?
Donadoni
Bonhof
Bonhof
Isaprick Nafsaid