Six British footballers that have converted positions

Usually, when a footballer has graduated from a youth academy in football, they stick to the position that they have spent years trying to perfect. But, every now and then, you get the odd player that decides that they want to switch roles.

Everton and England rising star Ross Barkley recently stated that he would prefer to be used as a number 10, rather than his usual box-to-box midfield position.

“[My best position is] behind a striker,” he said. “I feel I can have my greatest impact there because I’m free to roam around the pitch, take players on, have shots and create chances.”

So, following Barkley’s potential switch in positions, Coral football writers come up with six other British names that have also converted to a different role during their careers.

Gareth Bale
Wales superstar Bale earned a world record transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid (10/3 to win La Liga), but made his name as a promising set-piece specialist left back at Southampton and then Tottenham.

His former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, claimed in his autobiography that “I had always felt there was more to Gareth than left back, or even left wing.” That is despite saying a couple years earlier: “Bale plays now more advanced and is finding great continuity in that role. But I am sure he will become a great left back.”

John Charles
Another Welshman makes this list, and former Leeds United and Juventus’ Charles is perhaps the greatest ever all-round player in the history of the game.

Due to his physical presence, ‘the Gentle Giant’ was feared both as a prolific striker and solid defender from the 1940s to the 60s.