Are Pure Forwards Gone? Top Performers Analysis

Picture it: packed Camp Nou, the floodlights blazing, and Samuel Eto’o scoring a last-minute winner. Got goosebumps, right? Not surprising.

That image of a striker in football once defined the game. But gradually, those traditional strikers started to vanish. With the breakthrough of fluid strategy and flexible attacking roles, pure finishers have become scarce. 

So where did they go, and will the game ever bring them back? This article examines the tactical, technological, and strategic factors that led to the traditional striker’s decline.

Modern Football Landscape

Today’s football is all about progression. I’ve been following this sport for almost 17 years, and it’s constantly evolving. Teams look to move the ball quickly, break lines, and stay unpredictable. 

In addition, there’s a real emphasis on synergy between forwards and midfielders. Everyone shares the responsibility, so clubs need more versatile athletes in their squads. 

The Traditional Striker: A Role from the Past

If you take the period of the 90s and 2010s, the big, powerful number nine was the undisputed hero of every attack, lurking in the box, waiting for opportunities. Their game was built on raw instinct and deadly anticipation.

But as the game evolved, so did expectations. The modern striker needs to press, link play, and move more actively than the old-school predators ever had to.

Rise of the False 9 and Hybrid Forwards

The rise of the false 9, which mostly started with the arrival of Pep Guardiola in 2008, has rewritten the rules of attacking play. It’s a role born from the need for flexibility and surprise, turning the striker into a playmaker who can score and dictate the game’s flow. 

Hybrid forwards like Cody Gakpo and Julian Alvarez have taken this idea even further, blending winger skills, striker instincts, and midfield creativity all in one. They can press high, drop deep, and run the channels.

Tactical Shifts in Attacking Play

Football has seen a massive tactical overhaul in recent years. Almost every top club, whether it is Barcelona, PSG, Man City, or Real Madrid, demands more dynamism from their attackers. 

Today’s forwards must stay on the move, pressing defenders and making intelligent runs. Managers also place a huge focus on controlling the tempo of the match. This means attackers need to adapt quickly, speeding up transitions and slowing down buildup when needed.

Data Analytics and the New Striker Profile

Modern clubs lean heavily on data to shape their ideal striker, and the numbers have changed what coaches look for. It’s no longer enough to be a pure poacher with a knack for a good header.

That’s why versatility has become the new gold standard. Data analytics break down every movement, pass, and defensive action, showing just how valuable a multi-skilled forward can be. 

Case Studies: Players Who Redefined the Role

Here are five players who’ve reformed the role in history. As the false nine is a relatively new phenomenon, we’ve picked the players from the last 15 years. When choosing them, we took into account.

• Technical Prowess.
• Intelligence and Vision
• Finishing Ability.

These are the players that stand out: 

Lionel Messi

Messi’s transformation under Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2011 as a false 9 redefined the forward position. By dropping into midfield, he pulled defenders out of shape and created space. However, he still maintained his superb finishing and dominance in the penalty area.

Roberto Firmino

Firmino turned what could’ve been a position of pure finishing into the heartbeat of Liverpool’s pressing game. For his mentality and intelligence, he earned praise as “Liverpool’s engine” and the “most complete striker in the Premier League.”

Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez is not your typical 9, but he is undoubtedly a fantastic hybrid forward. Guardiola has floated him between midfield and attack, using his clever movement, agility, vision, and defensive work to drive both phases of play.

Cody Gakpo

Gakpo exemplifies modern versatility and explosiveness. Comfortable on the wing, playing centrally, or even stepping into midfield, he mixes dribbling, speed, strong build, and intelligent positioning. At Euro 2024, he scored three times, cutting in from the left and showing goal-poacher instincts inside the box. 

Antoine Griezmann

Known for his intelligence and creativity, Antoine Griezmann is equally effective as a forward, second striker, winger, or midfielder. Griezmann combines the scoring instincts of a number nine with creative “10” skills, often dropping deep and feeding teammates before crashing the box.

Youth Development and the Striker’s Transformation

Given that the classic forwards have become less common, academies also adjusted their strategies. They build well-rounded attackers with vision and tactical awareness. 

Young forwards are coached to read the game, rotate positions, and even drop into midfield. Additionally, coaches emphasize skills that enable them to overlap with wingers or support the midfield press.

Are Traditional Strikers Gone for Good?

I wouldn’t write their obituaries just yet. Sure, football has evolved, but let’s be honest – there will always be something magical about a striker who can bury a half-chance with that killer instinct.

I believe we might see flashes of the old-school forward come back, especially when teams need a Plan B. The role may never dominate the game again like it did in the past, but it will always have a place in football’s heart.