Sounds counterintuitive, but I wonder if it’s is actually easier to only be a hard-working footballer in the higher leagues than a lower league.

For example as a Central Defender in the Pre Pep days ‘all’ you had to do was consistently be in the right place, win tackles and headers, and pass a simple pass or belt the ball down the ground. The players around you are not making as many mistakes that you need to clean up. (Yes I know defence is a skill)

In a lower league at Centre Back, you have players around you making mistakes, forcing you to play differently, and needing you to be able to to more things to get the team out of trouble.

For clarity, what I am suggesting is that as you become more professional and play in better quality teams, you can specialise, and don’t have to be expert at everything.