After David Luiz’s performance, it’s time to treasure the ‘Utility Man’:

It is likely that the best outcome for Rafael Benitez after six months in charge at Chelsea will be the restoration of his reputation after a disappointing climax to his otherwise stellar spell in charge at Liverpool and an incongruous awful six months in charge at Inter Milan. There have been some early signs of the Spaniard making decisive adjustments to his charges.

The perceptible change in Fernando Torres and increased utilisation of Victor Moses have been headline grabbers, but perhaps the most forward thinking move was the deployment in midfield against Monterrey at the Club World Cup of David Luiz. The Brazilian slipped into the position seamlessly, displaying all the traits of a man who is comfortable anywhere on a football pitch. It was disappointing that Luiz didn’t continue in front of his back-four for the final against Corinthians.

An innate confidence helped the centre-back flourish further up-field, but more important is his being in possession of the gifts and intelligence required to fulfil a variety of roles. The absence of this type of player has long been lamented in England with players being hastily consigned to a set function.

The ‘total football’ approach of Ajax is widely – and correctly – lauded. This philosophy is inherent throughout the famed Dutch club, with the training ground considered a learning environment in which every individual develops the ability to feel at ease with a range of responsibilities.

Notwithstanding this open admiration for total footballing principles – largely credited to Dutch coach Rinus Michels, whose influence and that of his compatriot Johan Cruyff lives on in the Barcelona team we witness today – a versatile performer is viewed with a degree of suspicion on these Isles.

Indeed, rather than earning praise for their adaptability these professionals are somewhat disparagingly referred to as ‘utility men’. The most glaring recent example is that of Phil Jones, whose selection in midfield for England in a friendly match against Spain in November 2011 caused some consternation in various sections of the media. Rather than delight at our national side having a 19 year-old at its disposal who could switch from centre-half to right-back, and equally assuredly into the heart of pitch, the response was to decry Fabio Capello’s selection because Jones ‘is a defender’.

Now restored to Manchester United’s team after a long-standing injury, Jones was outstanding at right-back against Sunderland on Saturday, using his mobility and buccaneering style to great effect. In a strange season for United, in which their drive and unyielding winning mentality has overcome their distinctly patchy form, the return of Jones is a genuine boost to the club’s prospects of maintaining a grip on the league’s top spot.

At the very apogee of the game, Roberto Mancini has received unwarranted criticism for his sporadic use of a three man defence at Manchester City – most alarmingly from one of his own players, Micah Richards. It should be little surprise that it was an Englishman speaking out against any requirement for adaptability.

With imaginative bosses such as Michael Laudrup, Brendan Rodgers, Paul Lambert, and Roberto Martinez working in the Premier League we are seeing more demands placed on players in terms of interchanging positions during matches. Similarly, others with restricted finances such as David Moyes and Tony Pulis place a premium on individuals they can trust to perform a number of different duties.

At a time when there is such focus on open minds off the field, it is essential that those charged with the development of England’s footballers, present and future, exhibit similarly enlightened attitudes.

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