Opening Whistle
The number 10, the most iconic shirt in soccer has always been reserved for the best players blessed with creativity and magic in their boots. Historically, the number 10 played behind the striker and made his team tick by linking the play, creating chances and getting on the score sheet himself. Many legendary players have thrived in this position. Unfortunately, over the last decade or so, this beloved position has slowly disappeared. The question remains, what has led to the death of the number 10?
Maradona, the rebel genius - Temporary Exhibit Pompeii
History of the number 10
When we think of the number 10 In soccer, we think of some of the greatest players in history. Messi, Maradona and Pele all donned the famous jersey number. The number 10 lives between the lines, acting as a connective link between the midfield and the attack. The number 10 has always been a technician. Remarkably skilled and a creative thinker on the field, many teams relied on the number 10 to win them the game. The golden era of the number 10 undoubtedly started in the 80’s, lasting well into the 00’s.
Positional Prototypes
Having understood the basics of the position, let's take a look at some of the most famous number 10's.
Diego Maradona: Diego Maradona was a footballing genius whose skills on the field were simply unrivaled. Standing at only 5 foot 4, Maradona was strong as an ox, explosive and supremely technical. Despite the best attempts of defenders, it was impossible to take the ball off him. His creativity and ability to win games on his own made him one of the best players of all time. His exploits with the Argentine national team in 86 remain unrivaled and make him a God in his own country. Despite his troubles off the field, Maradona remains the greatest number 10 off all time, and will be sorely missed.
Roberto Baggio:
A remarkable footballer, Roberto Baggio was the star of the Italian national team in the 90s. Scoring over 250 career goals, and averaging more than a goal every other game, Baggio was ruthless in front of the net. Many even described Baggio as a 9 and a half, since he played the role of a number 10, but scored as much as an out and out striker.
The divine ponytail, as he was nicknamed, was the complete player. His performances at the 1994 World Cup will never be forgotten. Unfortunately he will always be remembered for missing the decisive penalty that lost Italy the final.
Dennis Bergkamp:
If there is one word that best describes Dennis Bergkamp it is elegance. Possessing the perfect first touch and incredible vision, Bergkamp made the game seem easy. At times it seemed that he played in slow motion as he always made the right decisions. Some of his goals such as the famous turn vs Newcastle or the remarkable finish vs Argentina show us just why Bergkamp is considered one of the best playmakers of all time. It’s no wonder Thierry Henry said that Bergkamp is the best player he ever played with.
Dennis Bergkamp Netherlands - Creative Commons
Causes of Death
Having understood the history of the position and familiarized ourselves with some legendary players, let's take a look at the reasons behind the death of the number 10.
New Tactical Trends
In the last decade, professional teams have become more meticulous with their formational structures and tactical approaches to the game. New formations such as back 3 systems or back 5 systems have shifted the focus of attack from central areas to wide areas. Additionally, the 4-3-3 has become increasingly popular, which leaves a classic 10 out of the picture. Furthermore, teams are shifting away from relying on individual brilliance and look to achieve results through collective spirit. With such tactical rigidity, a traditional number 10 in need of freedom is unable to thrive.
Great video further explaining the death of the number 10 - Source: DW kickoff !
Physical Demands of Football
Over the course of the years, the physical demands required of top professionals have drastically increased. Long gone are the days where the best attacking players are no longer required to contribute defensively. With the popularization of high pressing systems, players must be fitter than ever. In the past, some of the best number 10’s were exempt from doing defensive running and tasked simply with offensive contributions. The modern emphasis on sports science means that all players on the field must be very fit and run incredible distances to help their team.
Caught in the Crossfire
Many supremely talented number 10’s were unlucky enough to witness first hand the disappearance of their position. Here are a few examples.
Mesut Ozil
The prototypical number 10, Mesut Ozil was blessed with remarkable vision and passing abilities. During the 2010’s Ozil was one of the best play-makers in the world for Real Madrid, Arsenal and the German national team. During his tenure at Arsenal, Ozil was often criticized for his poor defensive work-rate, particularly in big games. While his creativity made up for his lack of running, when current Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta joined he became surplus to requirements. Arteta wanted dynamic players, capable of executing his high pressing style. This led to Ozil leaving the club, and retiring just 2 years later in Turkey.
James Rodriguez
The star of the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez had the world at his feet. His exploits in Brazil led to a move to Real Madrid where he had a solid first season. His performances soon started dropping, eventually leading to a loan move to Bayern where he was unable to reach his old levels. This led to a move to Everton where he played on the right-wing, followed by unsuccessful moves to Qatar and Olympiacos. He recently signed for Sao Paulo after a lengthy spell as a free agent .
Final Whistle
All soccer fans around the world love creative players that get them on the edge of their seat. Historically, this sort of player has always worn the number 10 jersey and linked the midfield with the attack. Due to recent evolutions in soccer, such as new tactical approaches and fitness demands, the traditional number 10 has slowly disappeared. While we will always look at the glory days of the 10 with fondness, it is important to appreciate how the position has evolved into a more fluid and dynamic midfield role.
And just like that the final whistle is blown. We hope you liked today’s article and we want to thank you for sticking with us till the end. Subscribe to the blog down below for the latest stories and follow us on Instagram @Studsup99. If you want in person technical training, book your free player assessment today. Let’s get stuck in!
Yorumlar