Football is in constant evolution; a video review system has been implemented, new competitions have emerged, new formations and systems have been created. Players of the same positions in the ’60s compared to the present play completely differently. For example, nowadays nearly every team plays with attacking fullbacks, whereas those players used to stay back and defend. However, in the process of these changes, one of the most iconic roles in football faded and has now completely disappeared: the number ten role.
The Decline of the Number Ten Role
What is a Number Ten?
The number ten is also known as the attacking midfielder. His job is to facilitate transitions between defending and attacking, with a key pass or dribble. This player is usually the most gifted player on the side. The ’90s and early 2000s saw a “golden age” for the number ten role. At the time, football was starting to shift from the standard 4-4-2 and evolving to a more attacking style of play thanks to the 4-3-1-2 or 3-5-2.
This change allowed great players like Totti, Zidane, Raul, Kaka and many others to shine. These great playmakers might not have all worn the famous ten on the back of the shirt, but they certainly played like one.
What Has Happened to the Number Ten Role?
In modern football, the games are mainly played down the wings, resulting in the emergence of attacking fullbacks. As a response, the attacking playmaker was moved to the wing. James Rodriguez, Ziyech or Dybala are now all deployed as wingers and look to cut in for a shot or a good ball. Players like Messi have been able to thrive thanks to their pace and dribbling abilities. But this isn’t the case for every number ten.
The biggest example of this phenomenon is arguably Mesut Ozil. Despite his undeniable talent on the ball, his speed and work-rate make it impossible for Arsenal to rely on him as a wide midfielder, particularly in the 4-3-3 used by Arteta. As a result, Ozil has been left out of the 25-man Premier League squad as per ESPN reports. In any other era, Ozil would be without a doubt a starter. Sadly the modern game can’t fit him in.
Is this the end of the number ten role? As of now, it looks like fans won’t be seeing it for the foreseeable future. Many wonderkids are either strikers or wingers, indicating that football will continue to be played on the flanks. Football is in constant evolution; all it takes is one generational talent or a new tactical approach to transform the way the game is played. The time for the classic number ten role might return, one day.
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