It’s funny to think that the top scorer in Premier League history is a big Geordie number nine in Alan Shearer, the guy with the bullet headers, the iconic one-arm celebration and the attitude of a bull. You might argue that three others in the top 10 scorers in Premier League history are also big number nine’s; Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand and Andrew Cole. (Cole doesn’t fit the profile as neatly but he is the fourth highest scorer of headed goals).
Fifteen years ago every team had a big centre-forward who could bully defenders, win every flick-on possible and just as easily find himself in the referee’s book for a two-footed tackle. You might call it old-fashioned but it was a method that worked. Harry Redknapp has since attempted to recreate such partnerships with No.9 Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe but has been found out. The Premier League no longer appreciates a striker who’s finest talent is his ability to score a header or out muscle a defender. It values an intelligent runner and speedy mover who tends to cost a lot of money. If you look at the lower divisions, every club has a big striker and most teams play a brand of long-ball football that is rarely seen in the top divisions around Europe.
The strategy of playing a number nine who isn’t technical and nimble is now frowned upon by fans of the bigger clubs, making it impossible for them to fit in. Liverpool is the perfect example. Over the past five years The Reds have acquired a number of big No.9 such as Christian Benteke and Andy Carroll, both of whom have failed miserably failed and then done much better at their next clubs. The reason is that fans, managers and the style of play have developed in a way that leaves no room at the bigger clubs for that sort of striker. There are still managers in the Premier League who believe this way of playing can work but they all lead clubs in the bottom half of the table.
Foreign managers dominate the Premier League, and like the other top European leagues they sign and develop players based on their technical ability rather than size. It is not very often you will see a PL club sign a player from League One because the quality of players doesn’t come close to what is required. The main problem with lower league players in England is that the way they are coached to play simply doesn’t suit the bigger clubs.
Premier League managers are searching for a technical gem like Dele Alli, not someone from the mould of League One football. Alli is physical in his approach but gifted with the ball at his feet; that is the perfect blend for a PL midfielder but a rare find in lower league football.
It is time to face the facts. If you’re 6-foot tall, cannot sprint after a ball or nutmeg your opponent then the chances are you’ll be playing No.9 at MK Dons and not Manchester United.
It is no longer about a big tough striker from England, it is all about an intelligent and quick forward from Argentina. Big No.9’s have had their day.
by Nubaid Haroon YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi
The post Football: Why Being A Big No.9 Isn’t Cool Anymore appeared first on Felix Magazine.
Football: Why Being A Big No.9 Isn’t Cool Anymore posted first on http://www.felixmagazine.com/
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