The rise of the 'nine and a half'

[Puddz]

Hard to say. He's definitely wonderfully clinical, and he possesses a touch most players would kill for. As it is, I don't think he has the same kind of creative skills Rooney has, or not on the same level, and thus I didn't put him in the five examples earlier. Well, that and I forgot about him.

Wouldn't he be a slower more laid back version of Ibrahimovic? I mean Berbatov is more creative in a different way. He can link up with his first touch masterfully and has the close control that could be used in the box to set up other players. Rooney doesn't have that.
(haven't seen much of Ibrahimovic play though)

 

[W4FC B3N]

I think Rooney is at a very similar level as to what Messi is playing at and both have much, more to show, with being such a young age. Always loved the lad, even when he did have that terrible slump last season. I think the players we are seeing now are a lot better than the legends of time's gone by, not because of the superior playing conditions or the advanced training facilities, but because we have said legends to look at in order to improve our own players' game. I'm excited about Rooney's future because he has a long and succesfull career still ahead of him. He's a class apart from most players, even on Manchester Uniteds team, you could say he's a big fish in a little pond with not much else to achieve.

 

[DMF]

I think Rooney is at a very similar level as to what Messi is playing at and both have much, more to show, with being such a young age. Always loved the lad, even when he did have that terrible slump last season. I think the players we are seeing now are a lot better than the legends of time's gone by, not because of the superior playing conditions or the advanced training facilities, but because we have said legends to look at in order to improve our own players' game. I'm excited about Rooney's future because he has a long and succesfull career still ahead of him. He's a class apart from most players, even on Manchester Uniteds team, you could say he's a big fish in a little pond with not much else to achieve.

I sort of agree with this however there is nothing he could achieve anywhere else other than Manchester United. Won the Champions League, Premier League, Carling Cup, World Club Cup and FA Cup. Only thing he hasn't won is International honours. I don't think if he went to another club that he'd improve much either tbh. At Manchester United he is the focal point of the entire team. If he isn't in the side our approach changes completely as seen vs Stoke on Saturday. I don't think he'd be that important in any of the other top European sides.

 

[sunilvk7]

I'm loving this word 9 and half.

Very good article.

 

[DMF]

I was just thinking about this and I was wondering GC -would you class Thierry Henry (while at Arsenal) as a 9 and a half?

 

[Mike.]

I would, I consider him one of the first modern complete forwards

 

[DMF]

I would, I consider him one of the first modern complete forwards

Raul? I've no idea what kind of role he'd be in, although it seems likely he is a 9 1/2.

 

[Mike.]

Raul? I've no idea what kind of role he'd be in, although it seems likely he is a 9 1/2.

I'm not sure about Raul, i dont think he was quite a complete forward in terms of creating for others. But he was certainly was one of the most intelligent strikers i've seen

 

[I Hate Fish]

Raul was/is more of a poacher. His job was just to put the ball in the back of the net.

 

[GodCubed]

How about trequartista ? Or is 'nine and half' too similar to trequartista role ?

No, a trequartista is a role that a 'nine and a half' can play, but is in itself different. Most trequartistas are providers - see Wesley Sneijder for the epitome of the modern example - but whilst competent finishers don't come close to the true striking power of a proper 'nine and a half'.

I guess Van Persie's current role can be described as a 9.5?

Yeup, as said in the article.

Wouldn't he be a slower more laid back version of Ibrahimovic? I mean Berbatov is more creative in a different way. He can link up with his first touch masterfully and has the close control that could be used in the box to set up other players. Rooney doesn't have that.
(haven't seen much of Ibrahimovic play though)

Possibly. Ibrahimovic has more in his locker than Berbatov though: he's quicker, better in the air, and most importantly better when farther away from goal.

I was just thinking about this and I was wondering GC -would you class Thierry Henry (while at Arsenal) as a 9 and a half?

Most certainly.

Raul? I've no idea what kind of role he'd be in, although it seems likely he is a 9 1/2.

I'm not sure about Raul, i dont think he was quite a complete forward in terms of creating for others. But he was certainly was one of the most intelligent strikers i've seen

Raul was/is more of a poacher. His job was just to put the ball in the back of the net.

Raul has a strong argument, particularly now. Thing is, whilst he was at Madrid in his heyday, he never had a chance to showcase his creative skills as he was always deployed playing on the shoulder of the last man. It's as if Rooney was continually played as a poacher: we know he has the skills to play deeper, but he's hamstrung by the tactics he's playing in. Before, Raul was played in a one-dimensional fashion. Now, if you look at him, he's played deeper or drops deep, linking play. I'd class him as a 'nine and a half'.

 

[DMF]

Most certainly.

Raul has a strong argument, particularly now. Thing is, whilst he was at Madrid in his heyday, he never had a chance to showcase his creative skills as he was always deployed playing on the shoulder of the last man. It's as if Rooney was continually played as a poacher: we know he has the skills to play deeper, but he's hamstrung by the tactics he's playing in. Before, Raul was played in a one-dimensional fashion. Now, if you look at him, he's played deeper or drops deep, linking play. I'd class him as a 'nine and a half'.

Appreciated your opinions on that bud. Once again, very good article.