Franz BECKENBAUER
Sweeper
Other Positions
CD – DM – CM
180cm x 77kg; Right Footed; Prime 1971 – 1977
Physical Skills
Technical Skills
Tactical Skills
Mental Skills
Attacking Skills
Defensive Skills
Info Box
– Known as Der Kaiser
– Formed a fantastic partnership in defense with Schwarzenbeck
– A world class sweeper and midfielder gifted with a superb technique, solid passing skills and charisma
– Brings ball out of defence
– Dictates tempo
– Shoots from distance
– Shoots with power
– Tries long range passes
– Use outside of foot
Additional Skills
To speak of him merely as a good defender—horror!—as my ears have lately overheard, is akin to referring to Julius Caesar as merely a “good soldier.”
The concept is fundamentally correct but inexorably distorts the resonance! He advances with head held high, unafraid, dancing on his toes, slicing through and finding Euclidean geometries with the outside of his right foot.
Beckenbauer possesses the aura of a prince but the spirit of a dancer: swift of foot, not overwhelmingly strong physically, but unbeatable in anticipating the opposing attacks (thanks also to the aid of more robust teammates, let’s be honest, eh!).
The Teuton is a libero with the mind of a number 10, a strange and anachronistic blend of central defender and playmaker, almost unique in the annals of this sport. Especially remarkable considering that the country which gave birth to this prince (I shun the term Kaiser!) is not universally renowned for its mental and physical grace.
