Positions

Is the Number 10 a Dying Position?

Why classic playmakers are disappearing from football, what replaced them, and whether the creative number 10 can survive in modern tactical systems.

By Marcus Thompson•9 min read•2026-03-28

The Golden Age of the Number 10

For decades, the number 10 was football's most glamorous position. Zidane, Riquelme, Kaka, Ozil — creative geniuses who existed "between the lines," picking passes and creating magic with their vision and technique.

The classic number 10:

  • Played behind the striker
  • Had minimal defensive responsibility
  • Created chances through vision and passing
  • Was the team's creative hub

    • Why the Number 10 Is Disappearing

    1. Pressing Has Killed the "Free" Role

    Modern teams press in coordinated units. A player with no defensive responsibility creates a 10v11 in defensive transitions. Teams can't afford passengers.

    2. The False Nine Absorbed the Role

    When Guardiola used Messi as a false nine, the striker dropped into the spaces traditionally occupied by the number 10. The roles merged.

    3. Wide Creators Replaced Central Ones

    Teams now create from wide areas (inverted wingers cutting inside) rather than through a central playmaker. This is harder to defend because width stretches the defense.

    4. Box-to-Box #8s Offer More

    Players like Bellingham, De Bruyne, and Saka provide creativity PLUS defensive contribution PLUS goal-scoring. Why have a specialist creator when you can have a complete midfielder?

    The Numbers

    Classic #10 usage in top 5 leagues:

    SeasonTeams using a traditional #10Average formation
    2010-1162%4-2-3-1 dominant
    2015-1645%4-3-3 emerging
    2020-2128%4-3-3 dominant
    2025-2615%4-3-3 / 3-4-3 dominant

    Players Who Adapted

    Kevin De Bruyne

    Originally a classic #10, De Bruyne evolved into:

  • An interior #8 who arrives late in the box
  • A wide playmaker (right half-space)
  • A deeper distributor when needed
  • Still creates, but covers 11.5km per match

    • Bruno Fernandes

    Plays as a #10 on paper but:

  • Presses more than any other attacking midfielder (23 pressures/90)
  • Scores penalties and free kicks (goal threat)
  • Tracks back into midfield when defending
  • Not a "classic" 10 in the Zidane mold

    • James Maddison / Martin Odegaard

    The "modern #10" — positioned between the lines but with specific pressing responsibilities and expected to contribute defensively.

    Where Classic 10s Still Exist

    South American Football

    Argentina and Brazil's domestic leagues still use traditional playmakers in 4-2-3-1 systems. Less pressing intensity allows the role to survive.

    Lower Leagues

    In less tactically demanding environments (lower divisions, amateur football), the number 10 remains effective because teams don't press cohesively.

    What Replaced the Number 10?

  • The Inverted Winger: Creates from wide areas while cutting inside (Saka, Vinicius)
  • The Advanced #8: Box-to-box with creative license (Bellingham, Wirtz)
  • The False Nine: Drops deep like a 10 but from the striker position (Havertz)
  • The Half-Space Runner: Operates in the channels, not centrally (Foden)

    • Will It Come Back?

    Tactical football is cyclical. Arguments for a comeback:

  • As pressing evolves, teams may need a specialist ball-retainer between the lines
  • AI tactical analysis might find new spaces for pure creators
  • Rule changes (substitution allowances) might enable specialist roles for 60-minute bursts

    • Arguments against:

  • The physical demands of modern football keep rising
  • Coaching education now trains all midfielders to create
  • The universal player (does everything) is more valuable than the specialist

    • Conclusion

    The classic number 10 hasn't died — it's been absorbed into other roles. Creativity still exists in football, but it's distributed across multiple positions rather than concentrated in one magical player.

    Written by Marcus Thompson, UEFA B Licensed Coach. Position usage data from Opta and WhoScored tactical analysis.

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