An excessive offensive can relegate the defense while a squad without offensive capabilities could hardly claim a single victory in a World Championship. The physical requirements to occupy this position are endless, for an ideal defensive midfielder will have to be fast-thinking, always aware of where it's team is going to assist both in the defense and the offense. Most of these guys are as well deadly gunners, and can be one of the surprises of this year's World Cup.

1. Javier Mascherano

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has grown tougher and stronger during the last years, being the first man confirmed by Diego Maradona along with Jonas Gutierrez and Leonel Messi to travel to South Africa for the World Cup. El Jefecito has already obtained two gold medals for Argentina (During the last two Olympic Games) as well as reached the final of the Copa America two times. Having already performed on 57 occasions for the major squad, Masche will have to communicate Argentina's strikers with the back line, as it seems Maradona's squad gets lost without Mascherano.

Liverpool's weak campaign has not outshone his performance, and in South Africa he'll be able to prove once again he is indeed the best center midfielder of the present time. His optimism to never give up a ball is the main reason for which he occupies the first position, for he extols the way a player in his position should perform.

2. Gilberto Silva

Former Brazil's captain Gilberto Silva has undoubtedly been one of the leaders of the Verdeamarelho's midfielders, having already lifted 1 World Cup, two Confederations Cups and a Copa America title. Named The Invisible Wall for his tenacity to recover the ball, Gilberto Silva is experiencing a bright moment at the Panathinaikos, having consecutively won Greek League's title as well as the Greek Cup, but his showcase won't be complete without another world title.

Aged 33, Gilberto Silva has a physical advantage against most of attackers with 1.86 mts height, and the experience obtained from 86 matches with the Brazilian squad makes him one of the top defensive midfielders in America.

3. Juan Sebastian Veron

Current American champion, Brujita Veron has recovered its best level during the last years and at this moment there's no better player to fill the space left behind upon Roman Riquelme's retirement from Argentina's major squad. His unrivaled stamina and the exquisiteness of his assistances caught the attention of many European teams, but it doesn't look like Veron will abandon again the Pincha, for he's grown into an almost-divine state during the last season.

He's the tallest player in the Argentinean squad, even though he's more likely the man to send the ball to the small area rather than the one heading it in. He's been chosen the South American Footballer of the Year in the last two seasons, as well as the most important player of last year's Copa Libertadores final and whole tournament. The only trophy he's lacking is the World Cup, and his key role in the midfield will probably decide Argentina's future in the competition. Aged 36, this will probably be his last chance to lift the most coveted trophy of them all, will he succeed on such challenging quest?

4. Felipe Melo

Last season has been rather disappointing for both Juventus' followers and directives, but Felipe Melo is confident regrets are useless and if there's anything to be done is to learn from his mistakes, even though this is the first time this experienced Brazilian midfielders had to face such a bad streak. During the last season Felipe Melo received 13 yellow cards, (9 in the Serie A and four in international competitions with the Vecchia Signora) but his only six performance with Dunga during the qualifying stages granted him a place in coach's strategy to lift the sixth World Championship. "We like what we see from Melo and the fact that he is playing a high level of European football means he is ready to play for his country now" declared Dunga only a few weeks ago.

Felipe Melo's only international title up to now has been last year's Confederations Cup, and his future in Juventus does not promise many opportunities to lift a title. His place by Gilberto Silva's side is almost secured to take Brazilian's tough defense to its maximum.

5. Mauricio Isla

With only 21 years Mauricio Isla is already one of Chile's brightest stars in the midfield, offering Marcelo Bielsa versatility, speed and security in the midfield. Born on June 12th, he might be able to celebrate upon his debut in a World Championship a victory against Honduras, a rather weak rival. A tireless fighter, Mauricio Isla caught Udinese's attention with his performance in 2007's U-20 World Championship, and from that moment on his career has been growing and growing.

Known by its misbehavior, Isla has yet been unable to perform the full time in two consecutive matches with the Roja, as the first time Marcelo Bielsa sent him within the starting eleven he obtained two yellow cards in 33 minutes and was sent to the rest rooms. As if all this wasn't enough, his skills as an assister are unchallenged, with eight assistance in only 27 Italian performances this year.

6. Diego Pérez

AS Monaco's defensive midfielder will be one of the toughest engines on the Uruguayan team, for his vast experience with the National Football Team (he performed 50 times) will be decisive to keep the ball on the Charrua side. His role as a defensive midfielder poses a problem, as he has one of the darkest statics on France's board, with 7 yellow cards in 1756 minutes on the fields: He'll have to control himself not to miss key matches in Africa.

Aged 30, Diego Perez made its debut with Uruguay back in 2001, and from that moment on he became the unchallenged leader of the ball flow of its team. His nerves of steel will be a formidable weapon for Uruguay to take the ball to their deadly strikers.

7. Jonas Gutierrez

The third Argentinean on the list could as well be placed within the offensive midfielders top list, for the versatility of Newcastle's winger (able to occupy one position in the back lines as well as guard the midfield with ferocity) seduced Diego Maradona from the go, for he can duo with either Javier Mascherano or Juan Sebastian Veron and take advantage of his incredible speed and stamina, on Argentina coach's words "He is an interesting player, because there aren't too many players who can play on both ends of the field from his position".

Jonas Gutierrez is an integral part of Maradona's strategy, for he allows Maradona to focus on the offensive while not completely relegating the defense, even though his offensive proficiency might leave many spaces for their rivals to take advantage of. Having played 16 games with the Albiceleste the Galgo has only been able to score one goal, on a friendly match against France back in February 2009.

8. Walter Gargano

With only 1.68 mts height and 25 years Walter Gargano has won its place in Uruguay's starting squad thanks to his never-ending stamina and the ferocity of his recoveries. Napoli has focused most of its strategy around this Uruguayan midfielder, with an average lower to 2 faults per game in the Serie A and not even a foot injury back in March 2009 kept him away from the fields. This will be his first performance in a World Championship, and the midfielder looks eager to show his skills to the world in South Africa.

Since Gargano left Uruguay he has been unable to lift a single title, but this time he might have a chance to change the course of his future. Communication with Diego Lugano will be fundamental to make the most of his defensive skills.

9. Carlos Carmona

Former captain of two Chile's Young National Football Teams, Carlos Carmona is experiencing a bright present in Italy with Reggina and during the last years have secured its place in Marcelo Bielsa's squad, having already claimed an International title (Silver medal on the last Olympic games). Widely regarded as one of Chile's most promising players, Carlos Carmona will have to confirm he can be the fierce ball-winner Bielsa is desperately looking for.

10.Jonathan Santana

Born in Buenos Aires 28 years ago Jonathan Santana obtained the Paraguayan Citizenship a few years ago to represent the National Football Team in the 2007 edition of the Copa America, and from that moment on he only appeared in 4 matches for the red, white and blue, in which he scored no goals. Currently performing in San Lorenzo, he left South America to prove his skills in Europe four years ago (when aged only 19) but luck was not on his side.

Now he has another opportunity to prove the world he deserves respect and consideration. And even though team's coach Tata Martino did not count him within the starting eleven for last week's friendly match against South Korea his 28 minutes on the fields were enough to make team's coach reconsider his decision. His 1.81 mts allows him to dominate the aerial play in both areas.