Position

The player whose job is to score. There are different types of Striker: poachers who live in the six-yard box (e.g. Inzaghi), complete forwards who do everything (e.g. Henry), target men who hold the ball up (e.g. Drogba), pressing forwards who hunt defenders (e.g. Firmino). The role has evolved a bit, and modern strikers are now often expected to press, link play, and create for others, not just finish.

A new breed of attacking midfielder than that acts as a hybrid between an 8 (midfield engine/arriving late in the box) and a 10 (playmaker just behind the strikers). There are usually two players occupying the free 8 role, sitting just in front of a lone CDM and just behind the forwards. They often operate in the half spaces and their job is typically to create chances for the forwards. Pep Guardiola is often credited as being the person behind the free 8 role, having used it at Barcelona with Xavi and Iniesta in the role, then later at Manchester City, with Kevin De Bruyne (KDB) and David Silva in the role.

The last line of defence and the only player allowed to use their hands in the box. Keepers need to stop shots, command the area, make quick decisions, and organize the defence. Modern keepers also have to be good with their feet to play out from the back and sweep up behind a high line. It's a lonely position - you get blamed for losses and rarely get credit for wins.

A midfielder whose main job is to receive the ball deep and drive forward with it. Not a classic playmaker who sprays passes, more someone who runs through the middle of the pitch with the ball at their feet. They beat the first line of pressure by carrying, not passing. Mousa Dembélé at Tottenham was the prototype - he'd just glide past people.

Italian for "director." A deep-lying playmaker who sits in front of the defence and runs the game from there. The regista controls tempo, sprays long passes, switches play, and starts attacks while also tracking back. Andrea Pirlo is the modern example everyone thinks of, though players like Carlos Valderrama did similar things. It's somewhere between a defensive midfielder and a classic number 10.

The midfielder who sits in front of the defence, breaks up attacks, and gives the ball to more creative players. Also called a defensive midfielder or number 6. Makélélé, Kanté, and Busquets are the famous examples - they make their teams work through positioning and winning the ball back. The job has evolved, and now holding midfielders are expected to pass well too, not just destroy.

A winger on the opposite flank to their dominant foot - right-footer on the left, left-footer on the right. When they cut inside, they're on their stronger foot to shoot or pass across goal. Similar to an inside forward but might still provide width and use trivela crosses. Became standard once managers realized wingers could score as well as create.

A midfielder who arrives late into the penalty area to score. Not the same as a shadow striker who plays behind the forward - the box crasher starts deeper and times runs to arrive just as the ball comes in. Lampard was the original, but Gündoğan, Bellingham, and Rice all do it now. Getting into the box without the ball is an underrated skill.

A full-back who moves inside into midfield instead of staying wide, letting the winger provide width. Guardiola made it famous with Cancelo and Walker at City. The idea is to overload the middle of the pitch, keep the ball better, and create triangles that are hard to press. It changes the shape completely - a 4-3-3 becomes something like a 3-2-2-3 when you have the ball.

The central defender who stops attackers, wins headers, and organizes the back line. Now they also need to be comfortable with the ball, play out under pressure, and read the game to intercept. Great partnerships matter: Ferdinand-Vidić, Puyol-Piqué, Van Dijk-Matip. The job has changed because possession football needs centre-backs who can pass, not just defend.