A defensive midfielder has become one of the most important roles in modern teams that need fluidity in both attack and defense. Players in this role are expected to aid the defense in stopping certain attacks before quickly moving the ball forward to progressive players in the hope of gaining some control and possibly starting a counterattack as well. DMs are pretty popular in FIFA games as well, especially since they help chase down the opposition and ensure that their attacks don't materialize in a dangerous fashion while also serving as a link between the defense and the rest of the team.