Harry Kane reflects on the evolving landscape of football, expressing concern over the decline of the traditional No.9 role, while emphasizing the enduring value of goal-scoring in the modern game’s tactical shifts.
Harry Kane, recognized as one of the leading center-forwards of his era, has shared insights regarding the ongoing changes in football, specifically addressing the dwindling prominence of the classic No.9 position. In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil, the Bayern Munich forward conveyed his disappointment over the 'tactical shift' that has resulted in a decrease in the emergence of elite, traditional strikers in recent years.
For more than ten years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have ruled the world of football, accumulating an unparalleled collection of titles and individual honors. Their achievements—supported by a total of 13 Ballon d'Or awards, with Messi winning eight of them—have established new benchmarks for football excellence. However, Kane suggests that this dominance, along with evolving tactics, has unintentionally impacted the aspirations of the upcoming generation of players.
Kane noticed a significant transformation in the world of football, as young players increasingly idolize Messi and Ronaldo, who have excelled in wide positions. He believes this trend has led to a change in player ambitions, with many now opting for roles on the wings instead of the traditional central striker position.
“I believe the game is evolving in a new direction. Nowadays, the coaching approach leads many young players to aspire to be wingers,” Kane remarked. “Messi and Ronaldo have had a prolonged period of success playing from the wings, which has inspired numerous players. In my youth, I was fortunate to have some of the greatest strikers to look up to, so I aimed to be a No.9. That's simply how football progresses.”
Kane's observations regarding the emergence of wingers such as Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal, who prefer playing in wide positions, underscore a larger tactical evolution that has diminished the focus on the traditional central striker role.
The England captain, having established himself as one of the best No.9s in contemporary football, voiced his dissatisfaction with the waning significance of this role. He emphasized the growing trend of employing false nines and versatile attacking positions, where players function in a space between conventional forwards and attacking midfielders, which further lessens the demand for traditional strikers.
“It's unfortunate because, in the end, scoring goals is the most challenging aspect of football. I would love to see more players in the No.9 position emerging,' Kane remarked. 'But as time goes on, you will see this ebb and flow. During my youth, there were some remarkable players in that position.” Kane's comments emphasize the ongoing discussion regarding the balance between tactical advancements and the diminishing presence of traditional football roles.
Kane, recognized for his precise finishing and clever movement on the pitch, expressed his deep admiration for Brazil's iconic forward Ronaldo Nazário. He acknowledged the contrasts in their playing styles but emphasized that Ronaldo's exceptional technical skill, pace, and dribbling ability positioned him among the all-time greats in football.
“We play in completely different styles, but his finishing was exceptional—among the best there ever was—along with his ball movement. His dribbling skills and overall movement on the field were remarkable. I believe he was one of the greatest players in the world. Honestly, he possessed far more talent than I do. He was also very quick. Growing up, I made it a point to watch the best strikers, and he was in his prime during that time. Watching him play was truly a pleasure.”
While Kane contemplates the transformation of the No.9 position and its slow decrease in prominence, he remains concentrated on the here and now as Bayern Munich gears up for a critical run of matches. The Bavarian powerhouse is set to take on PSG in the Champions League this Tuesday, followed by Bundesliga encounters with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.
Kane's observations provide a valuable perspective on the evolving dynamics of the striker position, reflecting a poignant mix of nostalgia for the traditional role and a practical acknowledgment of contemporary tactical shifts in the game. Yet, amidst these transformations, Kane's unwavering quest for goals and his status among the elite of European football continue to stand firm.
