Understanding Player Roles with the Role Continuity Evaluation System (RCES)
Assessing football players effectively requires more than simply tallying stats. In 2022, a new approach called the Role Continuity Evaluation System (RCES) was established, recognizing that each player should be evaluated against expectations specific to their role on the pitch. RCES breaks down players into 20 distinct roles, making comparison meaningful and relevant by focusing on role-based metrics rather than generic data.
This article explains how RCES works, with a specific focus on central midfielders—the most diverse and complex group on the field.
Why Role-Based Evaluation Matters in Football
Traditional player analysis often falls into the trap of comparing all players by the same standards, regardless of their positions or responsibilities. RCES was created to address this flaw by categorizing players based on their actual in-game functions.
Instead of comparing defenders and attackers using the same metrics, the system relies on two key foundations:
– Identify a player’s true role(s) through a blend of data and live observation (“eye test”).
– Evaluate players only on the traits and actions that are critical to success in that particular role.
This ensures that a defensive midfielder is analyzed with different expectations than an attacking fullback, producing fairer and more actionable insights for coaches, scouts, and analysts.
Defining and Refining Central Midfield Roles
Central midfield is perhaps the most nuanced position in football. Teams can field multiple central midfielders, each with a very distinct purpose. To capture this variety, RCES identifies four core central midfield archetypes:
– Tempo Setter
– Midfield Maestro
– Shuttler
– Box-to-Box Midfielder
Let’s break down how each role functions and overlaps, and how RCES enables meaningful comparisons.
Tempo Setters and Deep-Lying Playmakers: Orchestrators of Possession
The “Tempo Setter” fulfills the team’s need for a central figure who prefers to control the rhythm of play, usually operating in an advanced ‘8’ position but occasionally as a ‘6’. These players are adept at maintaining possession, progressing play, and orchestrating the team’s buildup. Deep-Lying Playmakers (DLPs), often listed as ‘6’s’, have similar skill sets but work in a slightly deeper area of the pitch, serving as the team’s metronome.
The distinction is strategic:
– Some managers want a defensive-minded ‘6’ behind a creative ‘8’.
– Others prefer a DLP in the ‘6’, allowing the ‘8’ more freedom to advance.
For example, Manchester United utilize Christian Eriksen as a deep-lying playmaker, though his limited defensive range means he thrives alongside a more defensive teammate like Casemiro.
Despite their nuanced positional responsibilities, both tempo setters and DLPs are assessed using similar data sets—focusing on metrics like ball retention, passing accuracy, and possession control.
Shuttlers and the Defensive ‘8’: The Fading Workhorse
The “Shuttler” is a central midfielder with a greater emphasis on covering ground and defensive effort rather than attacking output. Although not a pure ‘6’ like an anchor man or destroyer, these players excel through mobility and tactical discipline. Iconic examples include N’Golo Kanté, known for his remarkable ability to win back possession and shield the defense via relentless work rate, or Scott McTominay, often positioned as the defensive leg in a midfield two or three.
What sets recent “Shuttlers” apart is an evolving trend: modern shuttlers often bring extra value in the form of ball progression or attacking contributions, as seen with talents like Moisés Caicedo and Kouadio Koné. However, those who contribute solely through defensive effort are becoming rarer, with managers preferring more versatile midfield options.
In RCES, the shuttler archetype is often grouped into a broader “Box-to-Box Midfielder” category, unless they display explicit defensive specialization that reclassifies them as a “Midfield Destroyer”.
Box-to-Box Midfielders: The Dynamic All-Rounders
“Box-to-box” midfielders bridge the gap between defense and attack by contributing across the entire length of the pitch. These players, typified by names like Jude Bellingham or Jill Roord, showcase both robust defensive work and an eye for going forward—often arriving late to support attacks, making driving runs, and tackling back deep.
When using RCES, the analysis of box-to-box midfielders focuses on both their mobility and their dual ability to influence play in both penalty areas. Metrics for evaluation include:
– Distance covered per match
– Progressive carries
– Tackles and interceptions
– Goal contributions from midfield
Midfield Maestros: The Creative Engines
Distinct from the orchestrators or workhorses, “Midfield Maestros” bring flair, vision, and creativity to the middle third. Their strength lies in their ability to unlock defenses through dribbling, incisive passing, and creative risk-taking. These players often have experience as attacking ’10’s or wide playmakers and are sometimes deployed as advanced ‘8’s for added ingenuity.
Examples include Bernardo Silva and Lucas Paquetá, who blur the lines between advanced central midfielder and attacking midfielder. Their key metrics revolve around chance creation, successful dribbles, progressive passes, and overall attacking threat.
RCES commonly groups these maestros together with creative ’10’s for comparative analysis, given their similar impact profiles and tactical function.
Practical Role Comparison within RCES
For coaches and analysts, grouping central midfielders into these core archetypes allows for clearer, evidence-based decisions in recruitment, tactical selection, and player development. Here is how RCES structures those comparisons:
| Role Category | Primary Traits | Key Metrics Evaluated | Example Player(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midfield Destroyer/Anchor (Defensive #6) |
Defensive positioning, ball recovery, screening, tackling | Interceptions, tackles, defensive duels won | Wilfried Ndidi, Casemiro |
| Tempo Setter / Deep-Lying Playmaker | Ball retention, tempo control, distribution, composure | Passes completed, pass accuracy, progressive passes | Christian Eriksen, Youri Tielemans, Harry Winks |
| Box-to-Box Midfielder / Shuttler | Stamina, versatility, physicality, transitions | Distance covered, tackles, goals/assists, dribbles | Jude Bellingham, N’Golo Kanté, Scott McTominay |
| Midfield Maestro / Creative Ten | Creativity, dribbling, off-the-ball movement, final third passing | Key passes, dribbles, chances created, assists | Bernardo Silva, Aitana Bonmatí, Lucas Paquetá |
Key Takeaways: Tailoring Assessment for Maximum Insight
Utilizing the RCES model enables teams to:
– Assess players in the most relevant context for their tactical role.
– Avoid misleading cross-role comparisons.
– Target recruitment to fill specific tactical needs.
– Tailor player development plans to individual strengths and growth areas.
For players, understanding these archetypes can help clarify what coaches value in each role—but individuals should remember that skills and playing styles can develop and evolve throughout a career.
Conclusion: The Importance of Contextual Analysis in Football
Central midfielders illustrate just how diverse roles on the football pitch can be, and why a nuanced, role-specific approach like RCES is crucial for meaningful analysis. By grouping players accurately and evaluating them against position-specific criteria, teams and analysts can unlock new levels of performance, recruitment accuracy, and tactical clarity.
Whether you’re a coach, scout, analyst, or a developing player, appreciating the depth behind each role will give you better tools for growth and success.
For more insights into player analysis and role taxonomy, explore further resources on tempo setters, box-to-box midfielders, and playmaker archetypes in the RCES series.
