- Jul 19, 2015
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A false 9 is basically a center forward who can score goals clinically, but also drop in front of the defence to collect and create. Its less a tactical style, and more a rare blessing of a uniquely talented player that you can take advantage of in this way. Messi is the absolute best example of it.
Sorry - but it really has nothing to do with scoring goals clinically. Of course the best ones (like Messi) do. A false 9 , is an unconventional lone striker or centre-forward, who starts in a traditional CF position but drops into midfield. The purpose of this is that it creates a problem for opposing centre-backs who can either follow the false 9, leaving space behind them for onrushing midfielders, forwards or wingers to exploit, or leaving the false 9 to have time and space. This is perfect for Dele as (a) he is great at finding pockets of space, and (b) we have Son, Moura and Bergwijn who can run past him and take advantage of the gaps he creates. A bit like Moura's goal last night. really.
We played a similar system with Lamela and Dele taking it in turns to be the false 9 away at Stamford Bridge in 2018 when Kan was about to come back from his first ankle injury. I recall we scored 3 that day after being 0-1 down.