Players who can play in defence and attack
 

Having seen US player Demarcus Beasley play in defence in 2014 WC and often as a winger in club football, I was a bit surprised as in WCs gone past he was a striker, so he's the ultimate utility man and actually being talented in both out and out attacking and defending roles (not just as a attacking and defending midfielder).

I don't count James Milner as he's a steady midfielder always looks uncomfortable when he's forced to play "utility" and be a full back or centre back. He was sometimes used as a striker on loan at Villa iirc.

Just wondering if there are any other players who have been equally good as both out and out strikers and defenders

Another USA Player DeAndre Yedlin is like that too alot. He started the buildup to the 2nd goal yesterday

He needs a bit of work still because he attacks sometimes when it wasn't necessary to do so and it's cost his club a goal sometimes.

Dion Dublin and Gary Doherty

Think even Heskey played CB a couple times for us

Sol Campbell.

That's right in his early Spurs era I was sure he was an attacking player

Of course Dion was banging in goals at Cambridge in the early years. When I think of him now I just think of Fergie's comments when he caught sight of him in the shower :joker:

Ashley Cole and Rio were strikers back in the day I heard.

I wonder why players switch from attack to defence. You still have to have pace to be a defender and Dion Dublin was very very unlucky not to make it into the 1998 WC squad as he was EPL's joint top-scorer in the 1997–98 season, with Michael Owen. 32 year Rickie Lambert proves that 'old timers' can still bang in goals

Chris Sutton

I reckon David Luiz could do both comfortably.

Paul Warhurst (if anybody remembers him)

The most famous player who was World class at center back and center forward is "The Gentle Giant" John Charles

Showing my age, yep, I remember him at Blackburn and Bolton

Duncan Edwards >

Wow, didn't know who he was so googled him (ie born in 1936, played for Man U) then saw the age of his death, 21 and realised was one of the Busby Babes who died in the crash. In terms of age a bit like the Ox or Ross Barclay dying.

He was the best of the Busby Babes. Bobby Charlton said he's the best player he'd ever seen. Would of, without doubt, been United's greatest ever player. He could play pretty much everywhere.

What a ridiculous statement what is this based on exactly all the times you watched him play??? Not saying he would not have but it really annoys me when people come out with huge statements like the above when they have seen nothing substantial of said individual

Regardless on talent alone Georgie is the best ever united player. HIM telling Cruyff he was going to nutmeg him before the game >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Even the greatest George Best fans had to admit, by 1976, that his best days were well behind him. 30 years old. Addicted to alcohol. Kicked out of Manchester United. George Best, many argued, was now a pale shadow of the genius dribbler he used to be.

That’s also what Dutch journalist Bert Nederlof thought. With the Holland vs Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier approaching, Nederlof was assigned the task to write a portrait of George Best. Nederlof flew to London to watch Best play for his new club Fulham against Southampton. After 90 minutes, Nederlof had seen enough. He wrote that Best was a fallen superstar no longer able to do what it takes to be a good footballer. Nederlof would soon regret those words.


A few hundred miles away, British journalist Bill Elliot was traveling with the Irish squad to the stadium where they’d meet Holland. The Orange squad, and their captain Johan Cruyff, in 1976, were synonymous with greatness. Elliot asked Best what he thought of Cruyff. “Outstanding”. “Better than you?”. George looked at the journalist and laughed. ‘You’re kidding aren’t you? I tell you what I’ll do tonight… I’ll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get.”

What follows is Elliot’s description. “Five minutes into the game Best received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading towards goal he turned directly infield, weaved his way past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff’s feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist into the air.”

“Only a few of us in the press box knew what this bravado act really meant. Johan Cruyff the best in the world? Are you kidding? Only an idiot would have thought that on this evening.”

While there doesn’t exist video evidence of this historic scene, Nederlof confirms that Best had played an absolutely incredible match, inspiring small Northern Ireland to a 2-2 draw against the best team in the world. “After the game, I caught the eye of the Dutch coach, Jan Zwartkruis. He gave me the most cold stare I’ve ever witnessed. Perhaps I shouldn’t have told him before the game that Best was nothing to worry about”.

GOAT FOOTBALLING MOMENT