In light of the Messi/Zidane interview, they mentioned the lack of true 10s in the modern game. Also I saw something about Beckham’s position as a 7 isn’t really the same type of 7 anymore in the modern game.
So my question is what are the differences between classic positions and their modern counterparts? And what classic player represented them vs who best represents them now?
Example, the 10 used to be the Playmaker like Ronaldinho, but now I’d consider it more of the Playsetter, De Bruyne. Or Maldini as a 3 was a left-sided CB, whereas Davies (who is considered a 3) is more of a left-wingback.
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Ozil and James are the biggest victims of this, the last few years of ozil’ career no manager wanted him and well for James does anyone even know what team he plays for now
Football has evolved past more strict formations from the old numbered positions. You see players and teams now and they’re for the most part a function of new ideas in football and better conditioning and sports medicine which means positions can become more fluid because the players are far fitter/faster than they were before which makes the game quicker and needs a reimagining of positions.
Players now are more hybrids of multiple positions where for example the classic 10 is now expected to be more of an 8 & 10 at the same time
I’ve said it and I’ll say it again…the death of the number 9 is the most heartbreaking.
At least people will venerate the 10s of old like Zizou, Maradona, etc. but the 9s of the old days are tap-in merchants, poachers, target forwards like Gary Lineker, Filippo Inzaghi, and Miroslav Klose. If old 10s played today they wouldn’t suit the modern game but at least people would marvel at their playmaking ability and skill. If old 9s played today they’d be labeled as tap-in merchants and ignored at best, memed everywhere at worst.
Only 9yr olds say the word tap in merchants 😂. If it was so easy then why don’t the strikers of their clubs do it everytime