Tactics Talk with Dominique Janssen

The Wolfsburg and Netherlands defender reflects on her biggest games, toughest opponets and adapting from being a midfielder to defender in our latest Tactics Talk feature

Janssen has played in some of the biggest games you could wish to as a footballer. Image: Sportimage

Wolfsburg and Netherlands defender Dominique Janssen has played in just about every big game going. Domestic cup finals? Check. Champions League final? Check. European Championships final? Check. World Cup final? Check.

That is no coincidence for a player who has quietly progressed over the years into a European champion for her country and is a regular fixture at the heart of the defence for one of the continent’s top teams.

Janssen’s senior career started in Germany with SGS Essen, the home of many talented young players over the years, before Arsenal snapped her up in 2015.

Since 2019, it’s been German giants Wolfsburg, while she has also amassed over 100 caps for the Netherlands, firstly as a midfielder, now as a defender.

Janssen’s one of the most versatile top-level performing players anywhere in Europe, and like many over the years as the game as developed has made that step from midfield to defence, largely since joining Wolfsburg.

“At Arsenal, I really enjoyed playing in the midfield, but coming here I think it was important for me to just be playing one position and not moving around all kinds of positions because it has allowed me to focus on one role and in that allowed me to progress my game,” says the 28-year-old.

“I think it’s hard if you’re switching roles and one day one thing is expected of you and the next day another thing is expected of you, so for me that was important and it was a big reason I made the step to Wolfsburg, so I could focus on one position.”

It begs the question of how has she found that adaption so many others have done over the years, including her former Gunners teammate Leah Williamson who has also moved back from midfield to defence for club and country, as well as lots of other household names.