Pirlo then raised questions about the tactics of playmaking and deep-lying organization, and Richard was more than happy to dive into the discussion.
Lampard, Nakata, and the other midfielders leaned in with interest. Neil Lennon, especially, was deeply engaged, his eyes fixed as he absorbed every word.
As everyone knew, the 1990s marked a high point for the classic playmaker. Yet in the years that followed, the role saw a steep decline—and even decades later, it has nearly vanished from modern European football.
Today's playmakers have evolved into players who make incisive runs into the penalty area and support attacking breakthroughs, no longer shouldering the full responsibility of orchestrating the offense.
This transformation largely stems from the increasing pace of the game. Players have become faster, and there's now a stronger emphasis on defensive tactics in midfield and at the back, along with the rise of the "destroyer" role.
