In the olden days, football used to be a much simpler sport. The defenders shielded the goal, putting in knee-breaking tackles if needed. The midfielders passed the ball around and dictated the flow of the game. Wingers dashed down the byline and hoofed in potentially dangerous crosses into the area. Finally, there were strikers who got in between the lines and converted the chances their teams were creating.
Modern-day football is quite different. Gone are the days of black and white, of well-defined, specialized roles. Today’s game is all about versatility, about confusing the opposition by deploying players in a way very few would expect. The false 9 is one such modern-day marvel of football that has changed football as we know it.
Unlike a traditional striker, a false 9 does not just hover in and around the penalty box. They move around, draw players out, create space and chances for their teammates, and, of course, score when an opportunity arises. Simply put, a false 9 is an orchestrator of space, creator of chances, and a goalscorer all rolled into one.
Very few players are complete enough to excel as a false 9, but we’ve been lucky enough to witness some maestros in action this season. Today, we will shed some light on the said players and check out the impact they have had in 2021-22. Here are the top four false 9s of the 2021-22 campaign:
Note: All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt
#4 Kai Havertz - Chelsea
Chelsea have not had the best of campaigns this term, but their performances, for the most part, have been commendable. They have defended diligently, created chances, and scored goals, often against the best teams.
With club-record signing (£97.5 million) Romelu Lukaku struggling to impress Thomas Tuchel with his performances, the responsibility to excel in front of goal has often fallen to Kai Havertz.
The German international, who played as an attacking midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen, has excelled in the false 9 role, striking the perfect balance between attack and defense.
Havertz has worked tirelessly, used his pace well, and has created chances as well as scored goals when called upon. The 22-year-old has featured in 45 games across all competitions this season, recording 13 goals and six assists.
Had he not stepped up, Chelsea would have had a hard time finding the back of the net in the current campaign.
#3 Phil Foden - Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has had unimaginable success using Lionel Messi in a false 9 role back at Barcelona. The Manchester City boss does not have the Argentine at his disposal anymore, but that has not kept him from using a false 9.
Under-17 World Cup winner Phil Foden has been deployed as a false 9 for the majority of the 2021-22 campaign. The England international is a good ball carrier, can read the game well, and is always on the lookout for goalscoring opportunities.
Due to a lack of confidence in Gabriel Jesus’ abilities (especially early on), Manchester City have often had Foden leading the line this season. He commands the central area quite well and doesn’t shy away from going toe-to-toe with strong defenders.
His bravado, combined with excellent playmaking and decent goalscoring qualities, make him a capable false 9.
In 43 appearances, Foden has scored 14 times and provided 11 assists across competitions, proving invaluable to Guardiola’s system.
#2 Thomas Muller - Bayern Munich
Thomas Muller is the oldest player on our list today, and easily the most decorated. The man from Bavaria has won it all with Bayern Munich since joining the club’s academy in 2000, almost always as a key contributor.
Unlike the other three members on our list today, the 32-year-old German is not as pleasing to the eye, but he is most certainly effective. He clumsily intercepts the ball, moves into space, and then either squares off to his teammates or goes for goal himself. The end result either moves the scoreline or gives the opposition a proper scare.
This season, the self-proclaimed 'Raumdeuter' (space interpreter), has once again excelled as the team’s auxiliary forward. The German has featured in 44 games across competitions, registering 13 goals and 24 assists.
#1 Sadio Mane - Liverpool
Sadio Mane is the best false 9 in the business right now, and for good reason. The Liverpool forward drops deep to collect the ball, stretches play by moving to the wings, and packs a dynamite of a right foot.
Following Luis Diaz’s arrival from Porto in January, Mane has moved into a more central role, which, although unfamiliar to him, hasn’t stopped him from being influential.
His link-up play with Mohamed Salah and Diaz has shone through and his goals have won Liverpool invaluable points.
Thanks to his performances for the Merseyside giants and heroic contributions for Senegal, he is in the conversation for the 2022 Ballon d’Or. If Mane remains on song and scores in the FA Cup and the Champions League finals, the Golden Ball shouts are bound to get louder.
The Liverpool No. 10 has featured in 47 games for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and providing four assists.
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auusmanscf
0
Kai is a good player but not one that scores constantly
You are confusing yourself.
TryNuell
0
The article didn't meant for their success. It talked about the role 'false 9'. That is simple to understand. You are complicating the issue.
Kai is a good player but not one that scores constantly
auusmanscf
0
if you want to be successful there you have to score important goal's
The article didn't meant for their success. It talked about the role 'false 9'. That is simple to understand. You are complicating the issue.
TryNuell
0
Doesn't mean he is not.Not coring more goals won't stopped him from being a false 9.
if you want to be successful there you have to score important goal's
Gunners4ever❤
0
It is not a matter of winning an argument. But to state ones opinion through logical context.
Fair
omochris
1
I mentioned in the last few lines just how much I acknowledge Ronaldo's efforts in a struggling team this season. Since you didn't say anything else, then I guess I win this arguement.
It is not a matter of winning an argument. But to state ones opinion through logical context.
auusmanscf
0
he's not doesn't score enough goals
Doesn't mean he is not.Not coring more goals won't stopped him from being a false 9.
Gunners4ever❤
0
There is no need talking too much. Cr7 statistics this season even at 37 years of age still out weighs that of other young players in EPL. Do you know Cr7 has a goal ratio equal to that of Sallah who is the best player in Premier league presently. Cr7 has 24 goals in 38 appearances why Sallah has 30 goals in 48 appearances this season.
I mentioned in the last few lines just how much I acknowledge Ronaldo's efforts in a struggling team this season. Since you didn't say anything else, then I guess I win this arguement.
omochris
1
Hear me out bro read this through to the end. Yes I said he isn't involved in the build-up half as much as he once used to, not that he doesn't help in it at all now. Understand the difference. Under Allegri and Sarri he was still playing the same role he was playing in during his latter years at Real Madrid - mainly as a goal poacher from LW. Mandžukić, Higuaín or Kean were the main strikers most of the time. Even then he may have been a LW on paper but he was primarily a striker marauding into the box from left-wing without much creative play. He was like Arsenal's prime Aubameyang with better aerial ability. But ask Pirlo, Santos, Ole and Rangnick whether they've used him as a false 9 rather than a pure 9 most of the time (not all the time, but still more than 90% of games) these past 4 years, you'll get your answer as 'no'. He may have had to be shifted to Strikers like Aubameyang hasn't been known too much for their hold-up play abilities but still score loads of goals and win games, that's what Ronaldo is now. False 9s are "strikers" who are part ST, part CAM and part WF all at the same time AND are players whose main position is not ST. There are some great actual strikers out there who can do all this too like Benzema, Núñez, Vlahović etc. but why are they not called false 9s by football fans? Because striker is indeed their main position. That's the way I see it in simple terms. Ronaldo was mainly a LW before but now he is purely an ST. How good are his dribbling, passing, vision and work rate off the ball these days? He can be forgiven for not running enough because he is 37 now and you can't expect him to keep doing that for 90 minutes 3 times a week in a span of 10 months. If he does he will be frequently injured. EPL is not the right league for this version of Ronaldo. His reactions are much slower now and even though this gets exposed in the EPL it won't be in Serie A, Ligue 1 or Bundesliga. If that wasn't the case he'd be on 35 goals this season rather than 24, and don't get me wrong it is still very impressive considering he plays for a crap team and most of those goals were winners/equalisers. Man's wasting the final few years of his magnificent career at a broken club. Such a sad sight.
There is no need talking too much. Cr7 statistics this season even at 37 years of age still out weighs that of other young players in EPL. Do you know Cr7 has a goal ratio equal to that of Sallah who is the best player in Premier league presently. Cr7 has 24 goals in 38 appearances why Sallah has 30 goals in 48 appearances this season.
Bikaekmz
0
please buy mane
Hopcdemnu
1
And where does Mr Harry Kane stand...The best player in England alongside KDB, Son and Arnold
TryNuell
0
Kai is always false 9 throughout this season. I think should be No. 1.
he's not doesn't score enough goals
Gunners4ever❤
0
Do you understand football more than the coaches who plays him as false 9? If he is not involved in build ups, how come the coaches are still playing him? You're just been sentimental.
Hear me out bro read this through to the end. Yes I said he isn't involved in the build-up half as much as he once used to, not that he doesn't help in it at all now. Understand the difference. Under Allegri and Sarri he was still playing the same role he was playing in during his latter years at Real Madrid - mainly as a goal poacher from LW. Mandžukić, Higuaín or Kean were the main strikers most of the time. Even then he may have been a LW on paper but he was primarily a striker marauding into the box from left-wing without much creative play. He was like Arsenal's prime Aubameyang with better aerial ability. But ask Pirlo, Santos, Ole and Rangnick whether they've used him as a false 9 rather than a pure 9 most of the time (not all the time, but still more than 90% of games) these past 4 years, you'll get your answer as 'no'. He may have had to be shifted to Strikers like Aubameyang hasn't been known too much for their hold-up play abilities but still score loads of goals and win games, that's what Ronaldo is now. False 9s are "strikers" who are part ST, part CAM and part WF all at the same time AND are players whose main position is not ST. There are some great actual strikers out there who can do all this too like Benzema, Núñez, Vlahović etc. but why are they not called false 9s by football fans? Because striker is indeed their main position. That's the way I see it in simple terms. Ronaldo was mainly a LW before but now he is purely an ST. How good are his dribbling, passing, vision and work rate off the ball these days? He can be forgiven for not running enough because he is 37 now and you can't expect him to keep doing that for 90 minutes 3 times a week in a span of 10 months. If he does he will be frequently injured. EPL is not the right league for this version of Ronaldo. His reactions are much slower now and even though this gets exposed in the EPL it won't be in Serie A, Ligue 1 or Bundesliga. If that wasn't the case he'd be on 35 goals this season rather than 24, and don't get me wrong it is still very impressive considering he plays for a crap team and most of those goals were winners/equalisers. Man's wasting the final few years of his magnificent career at a broken club. Such a sad sight.
Gunners4ever❤
0
That's your own point of view. I see it differently.
Arguement ends here then👍
omochris
1
His role has changed since then, he no longer is involved a lot in the build-up like he once used to. Nowhere near the definition of a false 9.
Do you understand football more than the coaches who plays him as false 9? If he is not involved in build ups, how come the coaches are still playing him? You're just been sentimental.
omochris
1
He is a false 9? Nowadays he is more like a real 9 that's been the case for years now.
So what's the difference between the roles of a real 9 and a false 9?
omochris
1
His role has changed since then, he no longer is involved a lot in the build-up like he once used to. Nowhere near the definition of a false 9.
That's your own point of view. I see it differently.
doteiknos
2
AF too. Mane has been a false not even up to half a season and he is the best false 9. that's a joke
Dixonmande
3
then best false 5 ,,,,,, maguire
Gunners4ever❤
0
A false 9 is a player who plays the number 9 role but is not a natural striker. So Cr7 has been playing as false 9 since his days at Juventus.
His role has changed since then, he no longer is involved a lot in the build-up like he once used to. Nowhere near the definition of a false 9.
Hashboston
1
No Doubt Liverpool's Sadio Mane has been outstanding in the False 9
ossydeboss
0
Thanks bruh🙏🏾
👍
Slow-Kelvin_10
1
I think you're very correct bruh... Bobby if you ask me with your propper analysis is the real false #9 of this our modern era football
Thanks bruh🙏🏾
ossydeboss
0
False 9 being misinterpreted these days really makes me mad. None of the above mentioned has ever been a false 9, ever. False 9 means serving as a half striker and half playmaker who links up with the wingers and the central attacking midfielder. Only Bobby Firmino makes his False 9 role so obvious in current world football. Benzema is also there but Firmino is more traditional. Mane being included even makes it annoying
I think you're very correct bruh... Bobby if you ask me with your propper analysis is the real false #9 of this our modern era football
omochris
1
He is a false 9? Nowadays he is more like a real 9 that's been the case for years now.
A false 9 is a player who plays the number 9 role but is not a natural striker. So Cr7 has been playing as false 9 since his days at Juventus.
Gunners4ever❤
0
What about Cristiano Ronaldo?
He is a false 9? Nowadays he is more like a real 9 that's been the case for years now.
Dr0ck
2
What about Cristiano Ronaldo?
Slow-Kelvin_10
0
If that's the case Muller should be. He's always on that duty.
Yh and Muller... he’s also very good with link up plays
auusmanscf
0
False 9 being misinterpreted these days really makes me mad. None of the above mentioned has ever been a false 9, ever. False 9 means serving as a half striker and half playmaker who links up with the wingers and the central attacking midfielder. Only Bobby Firmino makes his False 9 role so obvious in current world football. Benzema is also there but Firmino is more traditional. Mane being included even makes it annoying
If that's the case Muller should be. He's always on that duty.
auusmanscf
4
Kai is always false 9 throughout this season. I think should be No. 1.
Slow-Kelvin_10
2
False 9 being misinterpreted these days really makes me mad. None of the above mentioned has ever been a false 9, ever. False 9 means serving as a half striker and half playmaker who links up with the wingers and the central attacking midfielder. Only Bobby Firmino makes his False 9 role so obvious in current world football. Benzema is also there but Firmino is more traditional. Mane being included even makes it annoying
Fidleo2
3
you're forgetting someone
Puzclmnopt
1
when mane start to play as a false 9 jst as pep said everyone in england support lvp for nw
PeepsClips
2
hehehe, need i remind you that every member of the mancity squad is a false 9 🤣🤣😂🤣😂
Moe-Km
0
How about Cise Fabragas at his time at Barcelona and Spain
bro it's for this season
moaaeikpsz
1
How about Cise Fabragas at his time at Barcelona and Spain