The Trequartistas Are Dying, The Number 10s, Extinct
Football is one of the most ancient sports of the world. And even though the Chinese first made it happen, the brits actually made it famous, and gave the game the form of today. Over the years it has produced many legendary figures, Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, Maradona, Rui costa, Riquelme and many others. You see anything common among them? That is they're all number 10s. Even 10 years ago, classic number 10s were at the forefront of football. It is the playmaker. Arguably the best and most creative and imaginative player on the pitch. These players have been the painters of many beautiful pictures, many goals which long live in our memories. But in today's game, these overly beautiful players of the game are struggling to exist. Mesut Ozil, James Rodriguez, Philippe Coutinho are the modern day number 10s who have actually suffered the axe. In their primes, they have been extraordinary players. Who doesn't know about the exploits of Mesut Ozil in Real Madrid and Arsenal, and of Philippe Coutinho in Liverpool? But look at where they are now, Fenerbache, Aston Villa. How did this angelic species of the game suddenly fall from grace?
The reason lies in the evolvement of the game. Back in the day, the most used formations were a 3-5-2 with a front facing triangle, or a 4-4-2 with a diamond. Or a 4-2-3-1. In all these cases, the number 10 would be at the heart of the team's plans. It's engines. But the modern day phenomena is the new 4-3-3. A formation which has no allocation for the number 10. Who are also known as, Trequartista. Not having a position of their own is a problem that can be solved by versatility. But the modern tactics of football don't even let the number 10 to breath. The base role if a number 10 is that he is allocated time and space on the ball, then he makes a pass that stirs the world apart. Or a sequence of passes, or a dribble.
But modern football is more speedy and physical. No time to dribble, just hustle and run. Also, when you're team is pressing high, you have a possibility to win the ball high up the pitch, closer to the opposition's goal. This makes the role of the number 10 obsolete. As you're basically one or two passes away from a goal when you counter press. Also individuality in terms of play is less of a thing now. So every player has to be versatile to fit in multiple positions whenever necessary, in game.
The classic number 10s I talked about, they are nowhere the type of player which are important to fit in today's tactics. Also depending on the number 10 makes the team one dimensional. Something that no coach likes today. They love to keep their options open. But over the years this role has been handed over to someone else. The number 6. Or the defensive midfielder. Because he gets the much essential time and space on the ball, so he can pick out the pass that a number 10 would. These are the registas. Something I will talk about, soon enough.
Even though the beautiful culture of number 10s are dying. Fashion revolves. And I am very hopeful that someday these godly creations will make a comeback, and put some proper art on a pitch of machine like behavior.
I think the "10" position will eventually disappear, because now the DTs want players that adjust to their tactical schemes, this implies running more and adjusting to what the DT asks for; leaving the creativity and freedom aside that these players should have.
That is something I agree with too. By the day, football is getting smarter, everyone knows what the opponent will do, in a dozen different ways.
In these modern times to rely upon a single player to produce all the exploits, is quite hard to digest.
But then again, a man can dream
Yes 👍 great post by the way
I'm glad that you liked it
My pleasure was a great post