How Number 10s Thrive in the Modern Game
The number 10 position was undoubtedly the most aesthetically pleasing role to have in a team. The original playmaker for a team who would display more vision, flair and creativity than their teammates.
They dominated the game for generations. There is a certain romance attached to the position as they are seen as the brain of the team’s offensive patterns. They’re the artists.
The number 10 position could easily be applicable to both offensive and defensive minded tactical systems. As, in which ever system they provide the main source of creativity in the side. Enganches or Trequartistas they have different names but you get the idea.
Zidane, Maradona, Platini, Kaka all names that have provided different generations of football fans with moments of genius.
This role however is slowly diminishing in the modern era of football. The most recent examples in my opinion would be James Rodriguez and Mesut Ozil.
With the different sort of innovative methods coaches are bringing to contribute to the modern game, it is no longer necessary to be a ‘’beautiful’’ footballer it has to be within a system.
Nowadays it’s rare to see a number 10 in football, so to the young children and players who have those attributes in their game or to the existing players how exactly do they modify themselves to suit the demands of modern football.
Formations like the 4-3-3 have become a mainstay in European Football. At first glance it’s easy to see why number 10s don’t fit unless they’re willing to do more defensive work in the team.
A 4-2-3-1 is still quite popular and does incorporate a number 10 but these players are often counter pressers and usually have a job on the opposition defensive midfielder. So, I wanted to take a look at the way some number 10s adapt for the modern game.
Support Strikers
There are some who would fit this traditional mould who therefore take the game to a whole new level and provide a goal threat, often can be described as the secondary or support strikers.
These players are often the secondary or even top goal scorers in their sides and register the most assists.
There are 3 existing players who come mind when I think of Support Strikers and all have produced double figures in terms of both goals and assists, at world class level.
Bruno Fernandes, now this one is up for debate. At Sporting Lisbon Bruno occupied mainly a number 8 position but always seen as a number 10. Since his move to Manchester United he often players in that 4-2-3-1 formation behind the lone striker.
Bruno Fernandes finished his last two campaigns in double figures for both goals and assists. The scary thing is that in the 19/20 campaign he had double figures in both for Sporting and United.
The 20/21 campaign he finished Manchester United’s top goal scorer,28, whilst registering 17 assists. A supreme creator and deadly finisher who meets the demands of modern football.
Antoine Griezmann, is another great example probably for a period the best ‘’support striker’’ in the World. Especially, at Atletico Madrid he occupied this position much more than he does at his current club.
Griezmann at Atletico Madrid was voted as the 3rd best player in the world on 2 occasions playing in a defensive Simeone 4-4-2 system. Playing off the striker he would often finish the team’s top goal scorer whilst having double figure in assists.
From the 15/16 season to the 18/19 season he never had below 20 Goals, with 3 of the 4 seasons having double figures in assists.
His effectiveness is also seen internationally, playing just off of Oliver Giroud at the World Cup 2018 he managed 7 Goal involvements in 7 games, central to his national team lifting the trophy at that tournament.
Thomas Muller is last but not least of my example. He has arguable been doing this for the longest amongst the current generation of number 10s.
Muller himself has described his roles behind the striker as Raumdeuter or ‘’space interpreter’’. His world-class ability to find space in and behind defenders to regularly provide and score goals. Unpredictable and unorthodox.
Muller is different to the other two mentioned. His last two campaigns have seen him register over 20 assists in all competitions back to back whilst maintaining double figures in goals.
His stats suggest creation for others is very much on his mind first, his football IQ is an undoubted strength and as a result sees him score a number of goals himself.
Creative Wide Playmakers
The popularity of the 4-3-3 means these number 10s have to occupy another position to try and be a threat from different positions.
The evolution of the modern dynamic full-back means teams can gamble much more with who occupies the wide positions. They tend to drift infield and look to cause havoc on opposition defences, leaving space for their full-back to occupy in the attacking third.
There are some interesting examples in the Premier League that we can look at. Their attributes mean you can class them as number 10s however they don’t always occupy central positions for their sides.
Phil Foden instantly comes to mind. His technique, touch, dribbling ability and his flair are some attributes you would associate to a number 10.
In the 20/21 campaign Foden made 50 appearances with 60% of his appearances at Left Wing. He registered 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. He specifically got 9 goals and 8 assists coming from the left wing.
These numbers suggest he has no problem occupying wide areas in order to provide some attacking threat. It’s advantageous that he isn’t yet in his prime.
In Man City’s system a fluid set of attacking midfielders is a joy to watch, with Phil Foden arguably being the most fun to watch.
Sticking with same side, their recent acquisition of Jack Grealish shows that they intend to enjoy more number 10s roaming in and around the box from wide areas.
Jack Grealish possess tidy dribbling ability, often drawing multiple defenders to him in order to create space for others, often receiving fouls for his troubles.
He loves to occupy the left channels of this for his side. In the 19/20 he registered 7 goals and 12 assists in 27 matches. 19 of those matches were spent on the left wing. Where he scored all 7 and got 9 of his assists.
Watching Jack play is so refreshing, drifting from the left-hand side, with team mates anticipating a piece of genius to create a chance.
There are some in the football community who have become obsessed with stats and some stats do matter but there is satisfaction in watching players provide moments of magic and skill, Grealish provides the numbers and provides the highlights.
Angel Di Maria is a more established example. Di Maria is a very technically gifted player, skill, flair, unbelievable vision, range of passing and an eye for goal.
Of the 644 career matches 316 have been operating on the right wing. Although, his style of play suggests he would be classed as a number 10.
Registering at least 15 assists in the past 3 seasons its clear to see he creates for others before himself.
An older player here, who has kept up with the new demands for ‘number 10s’ over the last 15 years.
Advanced Number 8s
The number 8s are very energetic and assists the team in a box-to-box capacity, making sure they have an influence on the attack and maintaining a defensive position ready to counter-press or counter attack.
Naturally, because of their withdrawn role they aren’t expected to register double figures for goals and assists but instead produce high quality and consistent progressive passes into the attacking third and penalty area.
Kevin De Bruyne a world class playmaker with his impeccable passing range, trademark crosses and long-distance potency. In Pep Guardiola’s system he has played and performed in all of the front 6 positions, even as a false 9.
However more often than not you would expect to see him line up on the right-hand side of a midfield three. Arguably the best attacking midfielder in the world but very much operating a ‘’system’’.
He often sets the tempo of his side’s game slowing down or rapidly firing the ball into his attackers. Undoubtedly a number 10, De Bruyne operates in that ‘’10’’ and ‘’8’’ region a lot in matches.
De Bruyne regularly gets double figure tallies in assists but it is his defensive contributions that peaked my interest. In the 20/21 season he made 240 recoveries which on average is 6 recoveries per game.
He is very unique. Merging the roles of an 8 and 10 and covers a large amount of ground breaking up play and being the most progressive passer and chance creator.
Mason Mount is someone who can fall under this category also. A hard working, tenacious but extremely creative midfielder. A progressive ball carrier and a unique technique when it comes to finding a pass.
Mount, I think is an example of how number 10s would fit into the modern era. In Thomas Tuchel’s side he occupies the attacking midfield roles behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1.
He often drops much deeper to help with ball recovery, interceptions and begins the attacks. Even before Thomas Tuchel’s arrival he played as an 8 who occupied the 10 spaces, still a primary source of creativity for Chelsea.
Final Thoughts
I don’t want to believe that number 10s are dying out. I just think from. An early age in academies and joining first team set ups they must be willing to occupy other spaces than they are used to.
Number 10s will all have common attributes however some will be much deadlier in front of goal and could therefore become secondary strikers or a ‘’false 9’’.
Others will be quicker, dynamic and more agile and will able to contribute their playmaking abilities from wide areas or the ‘’wing’’ positions.
I think the advanced number 8s will be much more popular amongst coaches because everyone loves a talented player who works hard for the team and puts in a defensive shift for the team.
Some may end up even deeper for those coaches bent on control of possession and occupy a playmaking role from the position occupied by a ‘’6’’. Nowadays the 6’s are the ones starting the team’s attacks.
The number 10 has always been the source of creativity but teams have become over-reliant and for a coach in the modern game there is more responsibility around the pitch to create chances.
Almost every team wants to press in some capacity so there isn’t a stable platform with a match for the traditional number 10 to just solely flex their creative abilities.
With pressing becomes a higher speed of the game so there is less time for magic and more time is spent running instead.
The perfect balance is key for so many managers across the world. The modern number 10 will have so many additional duties to for the team’s system to work as well as express themselves.