How Soccer’s Creative #10 Player Has Changed

The classic #10 playmaker position has completely changed in modern soccer, with most teams now using these creative players as either second strikers or attacking midfielders.

What Happened to the Old #10?

Years ago, soccer had players called “number 10s” who stayed in one spot behind the striker. Their main job was to create chances and score goals. Think of players like old school Messi or Luka Modrić – they could focus purely on attacking.

But modern soccer is different. Teams now use high-pressure defending systems that don’t allow any “luxury players.” Every player must help defend, press opponents, and cover lots of ground. This means the old-style #10 doesn’t really work anymore because they wouldn’t be as effective when the other team has the ball.

This change makes soccer more exciting because creative players now show up all over the field, not just in the central area.

Two New Ways to Use Creative Players in 3-5-2

Today’s coaches have found two main ways to use their most creative players in the popular 3-5-2 formation:

The Second Striker Role

In this position, the creative player operates closer to goal, almost like a support striker. They work in the space between the opponent’s midfield and defense. Their main jobs include:

• Arriving late into the penalty box to score goals
• Creating quick combinations with the main striker
• Finding pockets of space that defenders can’t easily mark
• Drifting wide sometimes to create overloads

Paulo Dybala at Roma shows how this works. He’s not tall or strong like a typical striker, but his quickness and smart movement make him dangerous in the final third.

This works great when your main striker is more of a traditional finisher who needs creative help.

The Attacking 8 Role

Here, the creative player starts as one of the two central midfielders but plays much higher up the field. They become like a free-roaming playmaker who can:

• Help build attacks from deeper positions
• Drive forward with the ball when there’s space
• Still defend and press when needed
• Connect play between the wingbacks, midfield, and strikers

Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City technically plays as a #10 but functions more like a very advanced central midfielder.

This position gives teams better balance because the player helps in both attacking and defending.

What Type of Player Works Best?

The ideal modern playmaker is quick and an excellent decision-maker, especially for coaches who want more attacking threat in the final third.

• Quick players can escape pressure and create separation from defenders in tight spaces. They can also make late runs into the penalty area that defenders struggle to track.
• Good decision-makers know when to pass, when to dribble, and when to shoot – crucial skills when playing in crowded areas near the goal.
• Coaches wanting more final third attack love these players because they can both create chances for teammates and score goals themselves. Unlike traditional midfielders who mainly pass, these playmakers add a real goal threat.

Think about players like Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, Marco Verratti, or Bernardo Silva. They all have the quickness to find space and the intelligence to make the right choice in the final third.

How Do You Choose Between the Two Roles?

The best choice depends on what kind of strikers and overall team you have:

Use them as a Second Striker when:

• Your main strikers are traditional finishers who need creative service
• You want more players making runs into the penalty box
• Your team struggles to create clear scoring chances
• The opponent plays with a high defensive line that can be exploited

Use them as an Attacking 8 when:

• Your strikers are mobile and can create their own chances
• You need more control and creativity in midfield build-up
• You want better defensive balance across the team
• Your wingbacks provide most of the width in attack

The Evolution Continues

These changes make creative players more valuable, not less important. Modern playmakers like De Bruyne and Silva need more complete skill sets than the old #10s ever did.

Today’s creative players must be complete athletes. They run 7-8 miles per game, defend when needed, press opponents, and still create magical moments with the ball. It’s actually harder to play these positions now than it was 20 years ago.

The classic #10 was closer to being a pure second striker because they focused only on the final third. But modern #10s often get reshaped into attacking 8s because today’s game demands more work rate and defensive contribution.

Making the Right Choice for Your Team

Whether you use your former #10 as a second striker or attacking 8 depends on your team’s specific needs:

If you play with one traditional striker who is a good finisher but not a great creator, put your playmaker right behind them as a second striker. They can find the gaps and set up scoring chances.

If your strikers are more complete players who can create for themselves, use your playmaker as an attacking 8. This gives you more control in midfield while still having creativity going forward.

The key is matching the player’s strengths to what your team needs most.

The Future of Creative Soccer

Soccer tactics will keep changing, but teams will always need players who can create something special in tight spaces. Whether they play as second strikers close to goal or as attacking midfielders who roam freely, these creative players remain essential to exciting, winning soccer.

The most successful teams are those that find the perfect spot for their playmakers to use their vision and skill while still helping the team defend and press as a unit.