In light of the Messi/Zidane interview, they mentioned the lack of true 10s in the modern game. Also I saw something about Beckham’s position as a 7 isn’t really the same type of 7 anymore in the modern game.
So my question is what are the differences between classic positions and their modern counterparts? And what classic player represented them vs who best represents them now?
Example, the 10 used to be the Playmaker like Ronaldinho, but now I’d consider it more of the Playsetter, De Bruyne. Or Maldini as a 3 was a left-sided CB, whereas Davies (who is considered a 3) is more of a left-wingback.
Football has evolved past more strict formations from the old numbered positions. You see players and teams now and they’re for the most part a function of new ideas in football and better conditioning and sports medicine which means positions can become more fluid because the players are far fitter/faster than they were before which makes the game quicker and needs a reimagining of positions.
Players now are more hybrids of multiple positions where for example the classic 10 is now expected to be more of an 8 & 10 at the same time