Luis Enrique surprised everyone with a bold tactical reshuffle in Paris Saint-Germain's clash against Nice last month. He pushed left‑back Nuno Mendes further up the pitch to operate as a left winger, slipped centre‑back Lucas Beraldo into a midfield role, and even moved left winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia into a more central striking position. These adjustments helped PSG dismantle Nice 4‑0, with Mendes delivering a standout performance in his new slot while the visitors struggled to cope with the fluid, ever‑shifting shape of their opponents. Nice coach Claude Puel admitted his side had been given too much freedom, saying, "We let them play too freely." When journalists asked whether he would keep experimenting with "unexpected solutions" for the upcoming game against Toulouse, Enrique gave a glimpse into his broader tactical philosophy and the direction elite football is heading.
"Absolutely," he replied. "It’s my dream to have a squad of twenty players who can fill any role. Nuno Mendes as a full‑back, as a winger, as a No 9, even as a midfielder – everyone except the goalkeeper.
Imagine the opposition manager’s reaction when he sees a line‑up that says, ‘He can play everywhere!’ It’s a lofty ambition, and I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll keep trying." The following week PSG faced Liverpool in the Champions League quarter‑finals. Although Mendes and Kvaratskhelia returned to their natural positions, the team’s performance still hinged on the same positional interchangeability. Defenders drifted into midfield, midfielders swapped flanks, and the front three rotated constantly. Ousmane Dembélé, nominally the No 9, scored twice in the second leg while roaming across the front line, pulling Liverpool defenders out of shape and creating space for teammates.
The tactical graphics showed Kvaratskhelia on his right and Desire Doué on his left, yet all three attackers could occupy any spot across the line. Their touch‑map data highlighted the unpredictability that makes PSG such a difficult side to contain. A similar pattern is evident in the opposition they will meet in the Champions League semi‑final – Bayern Munich, coached by Vincent Kompany. Bayern, like PSG, have embraced a modern version of Total Football, encouraging players to rotate rather than stick to rigid positions.
Sporting director Max Eberl explained in February, "Harry Kane doesn’t just wait in the box; Michael Olise and Luis Diaz aren’t confined to one‑on‑one wing battles; Joshua Kimmich alternates between right‑back and defensive midfield." Eberl added that contemporary football is increasingly about creativity, reaction, and exploiting space rather than adhering to classic formations such as a 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑4‑2. "When you watch the televised line‑ups at kickoff, they often look very different because the defensive midfielder and the No 10 may drift wide, while centre‑backs and full‑backs make central runs.
True specialists who can only do one thing will become rarer as the game grows more dynamic and variable." Bayern’s most versatile asset is Konrad Laimer. Originally signed from RB Leipzig as a central midfielder, Laimer has seamlessly taken on responsibilities at both right‑back and left‑back. Eberl praised his adaptability: "He started as a No 10 at Red Bull Salzburg, then became a No 8 at Leipzig, and now he operates as a full‑back in the way Vinny envisions a full‑back." Versatility is not limited to Bayern.
Liverpool boast Dominik Szoboszlai, capable of playing anywhere in midfield, at right‑back, or even further up the pitch. Manchester City, despite losing Bernardo Silva, have added Nico O'Reilly, a midfielder who can also fill in at full‑back.
Arsenal feature Declan Rice, comfortable as a defensive midfielder, a box‑to‑box midfielder, and even as a centre‑back in emergencies, while Kai Havertz has been deployed as a left‑back by Germany under Julian Nagelsmann. Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde epitomises the modern utility player, able to occupy any midfield role or the right flank with equal proficiency. His teammate Trent Alexander‑Arnold called him "the most underrated player on the planet" after a recent hat‑trick, and manager Álvaro Arbeloa remarked, "There is no flaw in him; it doesn’t matter where you put him." Luis Enrique himself is a living example of this philosophy.
As a player, he featured in every outfield position except centre‑back for Sporting Gijón, Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Javier Zanetti, another legend, spent his career covering right‑back, left‑back, holding‑midfield and central defence, helping Inter win the Champions League in 2009/10. Zanetti, now Inter’s vice‑president, told Sky Sports, "Being able to play wherever the team needs you most builds trust with teammates and managers.
Players today should strive for that versatility." The push for adaptable players is driven by both stylistic and practical considerations. As fixture congestion intensifies and injuries become more common, clubs value squad members who can cover multiple roles, saving money on transfers. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez explained in 2024, "If one player can cover three positions, you don’t need three separate signings – it’s a financial advantage." Not every player adapts effortlessly.
Zanetti emphasized that his versatility was the result of hard work and constant learning: "I applied myself, focused on the information my coaches gave me, and developed tactical intelligence over my career. Managers trusted me because they saw I could adapt." Critics argue that the fluidity seen at PSG and Bayern may signal a regression to a more chaotic, less disciplined style, pointing to the rise of direct play and set‑piece reliance. Nevertheless, many clubs are investing in developing home‑grown talent capable of performing in multiple roles. Youth development specialist Dan Micciche, who has worked with Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham and England, now runs the academy at Al‑Ahli in Saudi Arabia, and he believes exposure to varied positions yields long‑term benefits.
He explained, "We design sessions that force players into different roles, using a Total‑Football‑inspired shape rather than fixed positions. It’s similar to volleyball, where players rotate constantly, learning to adapt during substitutions." Micciche admits that such an approach can be risky in the short term, as coaches may prioritize immediate results over developmental experiments. However, the payoff can be substantial: players enjoy longer careers, and clubs gain tactical flexibility.
Harry Kane, for instance, has transitioned from a pure striker to a deeper playmaker, while Cristiano Ronaldo reinvented himself as a central forward in his 40s. Zanetti, too, shifted from a wide‑right role to a deeper midfield position as his pace declined, extending his career into his early 40s. In summary, Luis Enrique’s quest for a squad of twenty‑something players who can occupy any position reflects a broader evolution in football. The modern game rewards those who can think creatively, adapt quickly, and fill gaps wherever needed.
Whether it is PSG’s fluid front three, Bayern’s multifunctional full‑backs, or the emerging generation of versatile youngsters, the ability to play multiple roles is fast becoming the new super‑power in elite football.