The evolution of central midfielders in contemporary football tactical systems presents an interesting point for discussion. Given the prevalence of formations like the 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and even 3-5-2, the responsibilities of these players have diversified significantly from the traditional box-to-box archetype.

I'm curious to hear the community's thoughts on how central midfielders' roles have shifted. Are clubs now prioritizing more specialized skill sets—such as deep-lying playmakers, defensive anchors, or advanced attacking midfielders—over generalists? What key attributes (e.g., passing range, defensive work rate, press resistance, off-ball movement) do you believe are most crucial for a modern midfielder to offer tactical flexibility and control in high-level competitions?