Lifeless footballer is right in the middle! (4,6)
I believe the answer is:
dead centre
'right in the middle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'lifeless footballer' is the wordplay.
'lifeless' becomes 'dead' (synonyms).
'footballer' becomes 'centre' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'dead'+'centre'='DEAD-CENTRE'
'is' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dead centre that I've seen before include "bullseye" , "cemetery?" , "Position when engine crank and connecting-rod are in line" , "Smack in the middle" , "heart" .)