The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Who are the Premier League’s Most Versatile Players?

Date: December 7, 2025
Host: Michael Bailey
Guests: Michael Cox, Liam Tham, Keris Jones

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Premier League’s most versatile players—those who have switched positions or regularly fill multiple roles for their teams. The panel, consisting of Michael Cox, Liam Tham, and debutant Keris Jones, explores why positional flexibility is more prevalent than ever, assesses high-profile examples from across the league, and debates the tactical, psychological, and leadership factors driving these switches.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Rise of Positional Flexibility

• Modern Tactics and Squad Depth
  • Panel agrees that today's game, with larger squads and five-subs rules, enables managers to prioritize system changes and tactical tweaks over strict positional specialization.
  • Michael Cox [02:48]: “There’s more emphasis on being able to change system within a game... Not many players around who are just left backs. If you’re a left back, you’ve got to be able to play as a left-sided centre back, a wing back, maybe moving inside into midfield.”
• Psychological and Social Factors
  • Flexibility isn’t just tactical—it’s also about inserting leadership and trusted lieutenants in key areas of the pitch.
  • Keris Jones [03:55]: “Managers... want to cram [trusted players] into that team however they can, even if it’s not necessarily in their first-choice position.”
  • Liam Tham [04:48]: “Coaches...are put in charge to find solutions to problems fundamentally... better coaches aren’t as fixed [on formations], allowing principles to guide player use.”

Standout Versatile Players: Examples, Effectiveness, and Best Roles

1. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)

• Roles: Number 10, central midfield, right back, right wing.
• Evaluation:
  • Szoboszlai’s tactical intelligence and athleticism let him excel at right back—especially notable in matches against Arsenal and West Ham—yet his shooting can be rash.
  • Michael Cox [07:07]: “He’s so versatile that he can work around [other players] and do a job pretty much wherever he plays... He looks really the most natural in [right back] to me.”
  • Liam Tham [08:23]: Highlights Szoboszlai’s pressing and physicality as reasons he often fills gaps made by Salah’s lack of defensive output.
  • Keris Jones [09:58]: Raises the challenge: “If you take this player out of their natural position...who’s filling the round hole? Is it just another square peg?”
• Tactical Note: Szoboszlai is often moved for team balance, not strictly for maximizing his own output.

2. Arsenal’s Defensive Conversions

• Players: Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié
• Notable Case - Riccardo Calafiori:
  • Liam Tham [13:16]: “He’s worked it really effectively... key part of Arsenal’s left hand side.”
  • Describes how Calafiori’s movement and unpredictability create overloads and open spaces, complementing attackers like Martinelli and Saka.
  • Michael Cox [16:08]: Calafiori varies his roles—sometimes creative, sometimes box threat, sometimes deep playmaker (“as if he had a Pirlo free role”).
  • Keris Jones [15:24]: Notes how being two-footed and technically gifted helps Calafiori pose an extra threat, something not all ex-centre-backs can manage.

3. Amad Diallo (Manchester United)

• From Wing to Wing Back
  • Michael Cox [17:08]: “He scored a really good goal, but he also got caught napping at the back post, which I think is often an issue for players playing in that position who aren’t accustomed to it.”
  • Panel consensus: Diallo’s best as an inside right attacker, not as a wing back—the switch is a result of team system needs, not his ideal fit.
  • Keris Jones [18:40]: Highlights Diallo’s lack of defensive physicality, stating, “It’s often wingers that have to convert that struggle way more than fullbacks that have to convert...”

4. Rhys James (Chelsea) – Defense to Midfield

• Has the shift paid off?
  • Keris Jones [23:26]: “He really does look at home there... I think it’s really helped him stay fit... not having to sprint up and down the touchline all the time.”
  • Adds vocal leadership in central areas, forming a key partnership with Caicedo.
  • Can he play midfield for England? While talented, competition is fierce, and most see his national best role as right back.
  • Michael Cox [26:21]: Notes the irony of England’s midfield now being filled with players who play different positions at club level.

5. Mats Wieffer (Brighton) – Midfield to Right Back

• Liam Tham [27:42]: “It’s much more of a case of solving a problem they had... teams that want build-up are now putting a technician [at right back].”
  • His unique runs add unpredictability and create space for Brighton’s high, wide winger, Adama Binta.
  • Michael Cox [28:55]: Emphasizes his clever off-ball movement—timing overlapping runs and making “world bet” goals possible for teammates.

6. Alex Iwobi (Fulham) – Winger/10 to Deep Midfielder

• Michael Cox [29:50]: “He’s a completely different player to the one he was cast as when he was coming through.”
  • Transitioned from an expected tricky winger to an intelligent creator and ball-circulator, now key to Fulham’s midfield fluidity.
  • Keris Jones [31:29]: Reflects on positional switches often benefitting experienced players as their pace wanes and game intelligence grows.
  • Liam Tham [32:04]: Marco Silva’s use of Iwobi is part necessity (injuries/lack of signings), part tactical invention.

7. Mikel Merino (Arsenal) – Midfielder to Number 9/False 9

• Michael Cox [35:27]: “”He’s almost played three different roles... When you’ve got a player who can be in midfield and up front, there’s real value.”
  • Value of a midfielder who can also add aerial threat as a backup striker.

8. Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) – Wing to Central Roles

• Liam Tham [37:08]: “I think [he’s] better on the touchline generally... his most dangerous stuff comes from out wide or driving into space.”
  • Central role offers new tactical wrinkle, but Doku’s best strengths are as a traditional winger.

9. João Pedro (Chelsea) – Number 10 vs. Number 9

• Keris Jones [38:31]: “He’d get into great positions, beat three midfielders...then he’d remember he was meant to be the striker.”
  • Clearly best just behind a traditional 9, but squad injuries have forced him to lead the line at times.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 02:48 | “There’s not many players around who are just left backs. If you’re a left back, you’ve got to be able to play as a left-sided centre back in a three, as a wing back, maybe moving inside, into midfield.” | Michael Cox | | 07:07 | “He’s [Szoboszlai] so versatile... he can do a job pretty much wherever he plays.” | Michael Cox | | 13:16 | “Calafiori has worked...key part of Arsenal’s left hand side for a while now.” | Liam Tham | | 18:40 | “It’s often wingers that have to convert that struggle way more than full backs that have to convert and I think [Amad]’s a good example of that.” | Keris Jones | | 23:26 | “He really does [look at home in midfield]... it’s really helped him stay fit.” | Keris Jones (on Rhys James) | | 29:50 | “He’s a completely different player to the one he was cast as when he was coming through.” | Michael Cox (on Iwobi) | | 35:27 | “He’s almost played three different roles...there’s real value of a backup striker who can do a job as a central midfielder.” | Michael Cox (on Mikel Merino) |

Tweak of the Week: Future Position Switches ([39:58])

• Michael Cox wants to see Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) tried as a centre forward, citing his rare two-footedness and shot stats: “He took at least 54 shots with both feet last season... I’d love to see him have a go up front for Bournemouth.”
• Liam Tham would test Brennan Johnson (Spurs) as a pure number 9, and floats the idea of Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres being tried on the left with Martinelli at right wing.
• Pep Guardiola watch: There’s growing curiosity among the panel about whether Pep will deploy a creative wing back (Reiner Nouri) as a defensive midfielder.

Conclusion and Takeaways

• Position switching is increasingly a solution-based, team-first phenomenon—but exceptional individuals make it both effective and watchable.
• True versatility comes from a mix of tactical intelligence, physical traits, leadership qualities, and late-career adaptability.
• Managers now routinely exploit the blurring of traditional roles, whether by design (to solve tactical puzzles) or through necessity (injury/crisis).
• Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their club’s own “Swiss army knives” and suggest further candidates for switches.

Quick Reference: Segment Timestamps

• [02:03] Introduction & the rise of positional flexibility
• [06:42] Defensive switches: Szoboszlai, Arsenal fullbacks, Amad Diallo
• [23:15] Defense-to-midfield: Rhys James & Brighton’s Mats Wieffer
• [29:20] Winger/10 to deep midfield: Alex Iwobi
• [35:00] Midfielder to striker: Mikel Merino
• [37:08] Wing to centre: Jeremy Doku
• [38:31] No. 10 or 9 debate: Joao Pedro
• [39:58] Tweak of the Week – suggestions for next positional experiments

For more tactical deep-dives, The Athletic FC Podcast drops every Thursday.