The centre forward is traditionally the most effective player on the pitch. Below are the reasons why having a goalscorer is so important
Despite the emergence of innovative tactics and intriguing formations, football is a very simple game. Winning the game requires one team to score more goals than the other. But as a famous coach once explained, scoring goals is the toughest part of football. It is then not surprising that throughout the majority of history, the most valuable footballers are those who play up top. The best forwards command outrageous transfer fees and wages simply because they can win you games on their own. One of the most expert kinds are referred to as poachers or marksmen. They commonly loiter near the box ready for the opportunity to pounce. Less known for scoring goals outside the box or linking play, their primary virtue is they understand where to place the ball virtually intuitively. Having a dependable poacher, as the chairman of Leicester has observed, can transform a so-called smaller team into champions.
Throughout the history of the game, centre forwards in football were expected to score goals and not much else. But their role has profoundly changed over the past several years, and the contemporary attacker is now asked to connect play, drop deep, maintain possession and run as hard as the rest of the team. The centre forward meaning has enlarged to feature fluid attackers, more generally known as the false nine. Instead of fielding an imposing target man or clinical finisher, the false nine comes deeper and depends upon midfielders and wingers to move into the space he vacates. This can confuse defenders, who are not sure whether to stay with their man or hold their line. It’s a complex job, reliant upon footballing intelligence as much as pace or skill. Yet as the chairman of Liverpool has enjoyed, when done effectively it can outwit even the greatest opponents.
The modern game is characterized by false nines, overlapping centre-backs and wingbacks that go so far forward they appear to spend more time in the opposition penalty box than their own. Whilst football continues to evolve, it is intriguing to witness one supposed throwback make a return. The concept of the vintage number nine is someone whose sole function is to score goals. In particular, the target man is asked to hold up the ball, irritate defenders and allow more skilled players to find space. Through the past couple of years, there are numerous reports written about their decline as more fluid and technical players dominate. Yet in spite of these premonitions, most of these best strikers in the world are in fact thriving nowadays. There is no better way to get supporters on side than watching a player score goals. Certainly, the owner of AC Milan has viewed many classic forwards break goalscoring records with speed, power and an eye for goal.