- Aug 15, 2013
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Going back earlier with German midfielders like Breitner and Netzer, think they set the blueprint for versatility in midfield. The Dutch did too in the 70s with Johan Neeskens and others.Mattheus was a total destroyer, they didn't call him Der Panzer for nothing. Thing was he was equally as good with the ball as he was without it. He even excelled in his latter days as a sweeper, and his sheer longevity at the very top level is why he gets in my side. He was an 8/10 every game I ever saw him play and he made both Bayern and Germany tick. An armour plated Rolls Royce of a player
England had a great team and players in the late 60s early 70s. Great midfielders too like Colin Bell but think we were just held back by the structures we had in place that stifled development at that time.