How do you build a midfield that controls tempo?

Some midfields press, some sit, and the best seem to do both depending on the moment.

What is the key ingredient for controlling a game, and which player profile makes it work?

For me, the anchor is always the tempo-setter—usually a deep-lying playmaker who demands the ball under pressure and has the scanning ability to switch play instantly. Think of a metronome type who uses simple one-touch passes to kill the opponent's pressing momentum before they even set their traps. The real secret is having legs around them, though. You can't control possession or dictate pace if your central distributor is constantly isolated or forced into rushed clearances. You need at least one box-to-box runner to drag markers away and create those vital passing lanes. How much do you think team shape dictates this compared to raw technical ability? Even a world-class controller looks average if the rest of the team is too stretched.