Football Positions Are Evolving

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Are positions relevant in the modern game of football? How can Alexander-Arnold, Matty Cash and Tomiyasu all be listed by the same position? Do we need more terms to describe players? Or do we need to look at the game in a different way?
Alex Stewart explains that to better understand the game, we need to think about roles rather than positions.
Illustrated by Henry Cooke.
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#Formations #Positions #FootballTactics

[@dontwannaname]

A little disappointed that the "dribbly boy" wasn't one of the positions. They can be very effective playing alongside an Absolute Madlad

[@06-shreetdave21]

The dribbly boy was a dribbly boy back at barca, here at PSG he's just a central midfielder whofalls deep to win balls sometimes and facilitates passes to an absolute mess of an attack where he should've been playing instead.

[@forniteisfun6355]

Matip with Van Dijk

[@oluwatobafaleye8900]

Ah the dribbly boy The most important position on the pitch. Making mazy skill runs

[@YouSmokeChed]

spelt "boi"

[@coleepley8985]

Son and Kane are the “dribbly boi & absolute madlad combo”

[@manashichattoraj9871]

Outgoing introvert , ambidextrous polymath and absolute madlad are some of my favourite roles in football

[@michaelpirie9515]

Joe, Alex & JJ respectively.

[@U_C_G]

On football manager I've had great success with my lopsided 2-2-6-2 with a diagonal half-centre and a reverse cowgirl on the left wing

[@yt.personal.identification]

I was expecting a bench of "left right out"

[@Aisatsana1971]

@@U_C_G such a great system that you’re allowed an extra player

[@rjfaber1991]

@@U_C_G It is a tried and tested formation, but with players these days being more physically fit, the player on the left wing can now take up a much more active role than reverse cowgirl, and various coaches have tried to exploit this in several ways. It all started with the scissoring winger cutting into the half-space earlier and staying on the near side of the defender, but lately players in these positions have even been used as a piledriver, though the jury is still out on whether the decreased vision associated with this role hampers the team's attack more than the ease with which balls can be delivered to the box benefits it. 😁😁

[@BLOCH1998]

This is the most important Tifo-video for the modern-day football. There are too many fans, reporters, etc. who criticize players for not doing the same thing as another player in the same position does. TAA is a great example. Great video Tifo, this was very needed.

[@Electricdreams21]

TAA spends a lot of time playing centrally as a midfielder and gets criticised for losing his winger. He's clearly asked to play that way by Klopp and he can do that because they have two world class centre halfs and Hendo/Fabinho for cover

[@TheDandelionMind]

Agree, had a chat with a Spurs fan few months back now, saying that someone was moaning about them buying the "wrong" right back - Emerson instead of Tomiyasu -. And as much as I am glad we got Tomi, I said that the comparison is stupid as they're completely different kind of right backs and also depends on what the team felt they needed too.

[@harrystead9481]

The criticism is even worse for attacking players. Frustrates me so much that people only look at goals+assists as the sole metric of a players ability and output. A winger who stays touchline wide doesnt have the same role as a wide forward. An attacking number 8 in a midfield 3 doesn't have the same role as a number 10. And yet still people try to draw comparisons between them.

[@eksortso]

Definitely! I'm 48yo but still consider myself new to the game. Over my eight years of fandom so far, when I hear talk of sweeper-keepers or the ways that wingers are coming back into fashion, then I can attribute the new developments as different playing styles for the same declared role, some of which I haven't ever seen played live. A simple example: I never saw a goalkeeper before 1992 play the ball (because I didn't watch anyone before 2013 play the ball) but after learning what the sweeper used to do and why goalies had to change, it seems like sweeper-keepers are a modern evolution, and so when keepers stop playing as sweepers in 5 years (maybe), they're still solid keepers, even if the game has overtaken them.

[@jamie6669]

I would also say Firmino sums up this point perfectly as well. Because he's a number 9 and plays centre forward, he's always compared to traditional strikers and criticised for not scoring enough.

[@nifemi_o]

The next TIFO video should be about the best Absolute Madlads in world football, it's a position/role that's rarely talked about

[@yt.personal.identification]

Presented by an "Outgoing Introvert"...if they have any.

[@yungtrashlord]

i think jamie vardy is a good example of the role

[@theqaz1828]

Diego Costa

[@donkosaurus]

yeah, diego costa fits luis suarez and possibly carlos tevez could go there too

[@cjc872]

Sounds like what the title of a video about the career of Duncan Ferguson should be!

[@sususegar]

I demand that FM have the option to deploy an Absolutely Madlad in attack.

[@hugh.g.rection5906]

shoots with two footed tackles that kind of thing lol

[@Benjihurlock]

Complete Forward on Attack: close down much more, roam from position, move into channels, shoot more often, cross more often, tackle harder. Enjoy.

[@lts3248]

The goal of the madlad is not to score, but to injure as many opposition players as possible before being sent off 😵

[@claudioalegria1833]

I want the "Steve" role.

[@Prederick]

Hereby starting a petition for SIGames to add "Ambidextrous Polymath," "Outgoing Introvert" and "Absolute Madlad" as player roles for FM 23.

[@lonestarr1490]

And 'Steve'!

[@calumneeson20]

Need a mod that changes Saint Maximin’s preferred role to dribbly boy

[@riccardostopazzola7931]

It's pretty much Ibra's role throughout his entire career

[@xavier.mauricio]

I'm Brazilian and support a team in Brasil's Serie A, Fortaleza. Our current coach, Vojvoda, comes from the Bielsa tree and has done an incredible job creating a team abandoning positional orthodoxy in favor of building a system where players are put in fitting roles. We play a 3-5-2 and our best players last year were the two wingbacks, a career center-attacking mid who became a key creative hub at left wingback, and a career rightback skilled going forward who as wingback became a huge threat on the box with well-timed runs. Meanwhile our center-attacking mid used to play defensive/center mid, he is creatively limited but a total workhorse off the ball leading the press with the two strikers. We finished the season top4 with one of the smallest wage budgets in the league. Positions are fake. Just figure out what players you have and use them as best you can.

[@zxcvbnmzxcv1]

Glad to get this insight. Especially something from a league that's relatively not in the mainstream globally. Cheers man. Great stuff.

[@xavier.mauricio]

Forgot to mention a key part of this: our left wingback is right-footed! Was such a sick season to watch.

[@zxcvbnmzxcv1]

@@xavier.mauricio Ayo, you got any highlights for the season or something I can watch? Seem like Moneyball at its finest.

[@isaacfung622]

Obrigado

[@giovanniperruci514]

É O LION 🔵⚪️🔴

[@tophev07]

Our pick, though, is Tifo FC’s dynamic midfielder, “Steve”

[@calumneeson20]

Joelinton is the obvious recent example of a manager unlocking a player, Howe moving him into midfield was the equivalent of signing a new player, someone who actually looks like a 30ish million player

[@pulluptheroots]

As a Fulham fan I can confirm that Mitrovic has been successfully deployed as an Absolute Madlad this season

[@ishaandw]

Which is why for example, not using TAA as England's RB is a valid decision by Southgate because his role is way too different from what he is good at or normally does.

[@binura]

sad truth

[@rickyrickalvous2982]

As a WB though? He offloads some of his defensive responsibility to the RCB

[@ishaandw]

@@rickyrickalvous2982 yes, he has played for England as a RWB

[@mpaujan21]

Great video! I won't criticize Maguire again, he plays his role perfectly as a clown

[@brothatisfunny]

It's very easy to criticize, but i want to see you play better than him with 50kg of head above your neck

[@bens4602]

He’s a multimillionaire Euro finalist and you’re a salty football fan… you’re the clown, mate.

[@zulhilmimohanap4281]

Cmon mate XD

[@tathagatabishayee9345]

@@bens4602 🧂

[@mxsthxted]

Football manager is a real good in depth look at the roles, formations, tactics, etc for anyone who is interested

[@TwistedSoul2002]

I used to play Championship Manager back in the 90’s…. Sounds like it’s a similar game?

[@TGBHammer]

But do they have the absolute madlad?

[@2000AD]

@@TwistedSoul2002 If you played Champy back in the 90's then it is a continuation of the same series. The developers split from the publisher in the early 2000's with the developers keeping the game source sode whilst the publishers kept the franchise name. The developers revived the old Football Manager franchise name and went from strength to strength; whilst Championship Manager essentially became the knock off imitation brand and (last I checked) hasn't had any relevant releases in years.

[@willdavies969]

A video on the modern day fullback would be interesting. Fullbacks are vital now and key to crating goals and assists rather than defending

[@DJRockKpop]

Miedema has always made it a point to talk about how she’s not a prototypical No. 9 and that she enjoys dropping deeper to link-up play. Loved the FAWSL examples

[@JB-kd9wg]

This is why it’s difficult to compare some players, they do completely different things for their teams

[@tomathy2796]

Roll over Target Forward or Second Striker, I want an Absolute Madlad in my team!

[@alexandrelarouchebrazeau6218]

I'm happy I've started playing Football Manager to better understand the different roles and enjoy more watching football.

[@Spiedi2012]

what. a. video. the amount of little "easter eggs" is just pure gold. loved pausing the video at every other screen just to read all the roles you came up with :D much love and this channel never ceases to amaze me

[@khuongnguyen6644]

I think it is fair to say Trent is bad at defending tho. Liverpool makes a trade-off between his outstanding attacking / crossing ability for his defending ability (yeah and sometimes have Henderson or someone else cover for him)

[@Bagster321]

Was not expecting the mention of female footballers but very happy to see it and especially see Sam Kerr get a mention! She's a great forward and better security bouncer.

[@binura]

absolute unit

[@deancena]

Next they should start using U-15 players or Indian Super League players because quality obviously doesn't matter anymore

[@EvilSuggestions]

Anyone who is down on the mention of female footballers here has evidently never watched Carli Lloyd's Puskás Award nominated goal from the 2015 Women's World Cup. Even SpaceX can't launch rockets like that.

[@melessemansur4564]

@@deancena are you comparing prepubescent children to Sam Kerr?

[@deancena]

@@melessemansur4564 Sorry I shouldn't have insulted 14 year olds by comparing them to women footballers

[@alexcefai7185]

Great video and awesome to see references to the WSL! Sam Kerr and her positioning is very underrated.

[@jameswright21]

Always thought that the idea of a position was based on defensive formation. As attacking is generally about moving players out of position and finding advantageous matchups it seems bizarre people would even try and apply it that way.

[@rgonzalo511]

Centre forwards and pivots are positions during attack. In which remaining disiplined in there position is what makes them effective. So not all positions have that level of freedom.

[@markthacker9975]

Ah yes, my favourite position, out wide on the right… ‘Steve’

[@DomenBremecXCVI]

I think Klopp often says that the formation is only about defensive situations. While the team is under pressure both Tomiyasu and Trent will act in a similar way.

[@chijiokeochubili7279]

Best tactical analysis video from Tifo Football this year. Absolutely learnt a lot from it.

[@alexchaviramusic]

I really liked that you guys used examples from women’s football, that was really cool

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

3:36 Ooooohhh it's so cool to hear you mentioning female football!!! I usualy don't even think about the subject but know i'm more curious, i want to know how they diverse.

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

Brilliant video!!! This is one of the topics that i like the most in games, maybe the topic, and i you love more detailed videos about how players from the same position are different and unique.

[@layi136]

Absolute love the part where you included wsl plyers.. surprising and promising ❤️

[@tejasbalamukesh8342]

Appreciate that you added women's football as well

[@SmellsLikeBrass]

We need an in-depth analysis about the question how to best incorprate a 'Steve' into your team.

[@joevolcano6720]

Great video, would be interesting to see you @Tifo look at how assymetrical formations work in football? Thanks

[@greninjafw]

I like the use of WSL strikers as examples and the critism of lazy stereotyping

[@yt.personal.identification]

They are not really examples if it adds nothing to the description for the majority of viewers.

[@mustafasiddiqui8591]

@@yt.personal.identification How does it add nothing? They literally explain HOW they play?

[@yt.personal.identification]

@@mustafasiddiqui8591 The entire point of placing an example in any literature, in any field, is to provide a point of reference that the majority of the audience of the piece will be able to relate to. That is what an example is, by definition. If the majority of the people can't relate to the example, nor does it enhance the understanding of the point being made, then it fails at it's one job.

[@yt.personal.identification]

@@mustafasiddiqui8591 Let me ask you, would you be so defensive of the point I am making if they had used examples of A-League players instead, that most here wouldn't know?

[@mustafasiddiqui8591]

​@@yt.personal.identification so in my history book, the author uses the Siege of Carthage as an example of a siege, but I'm unable to "relate" to it because I don't care about Roman History. Does that mean it's a poor example? also the guy who's being so pedantic about the definition of an example is accusing others of being defensive. let me guess, now you'll probably say that this is ad hominem too.

[@nikolazunic6482]

I enjoy your videos! Especially these ones about tactics, thanks!

[@bhvithai5327]

Pleasantly surprised with the representation of Women's Football in this tactical analysis! I did a double take when listening and heard Miedema's name, nice work TIFO!

[@kabs1710]

Great to see players from the FAWSL included in the video, more of this going forward.

[@diegodadog1435]

Outgoing Introvert and Absolute Madlad 2 of my favorite football positions

[@ratboyz2men626]

thank you for including the women's game! so important to modern football

[@doesitreallymatter4744]

RUBBISH. dont mix them into one video. DO another channel for women .

[@samuelpraneeth5796]

Loved this video! Especially the part about being fairer to players and managers when critiquing them.

[@simstander5471]

Tifo does it again, great video. Football pundits should be watching this vid

[@vikingblast3582]

Thank you for the mentions of White, Kerr, and Miedema! Makes showing this vid to my daughter more fun!

[@doesitreallymatter4744]

No. ! Please. This is total disrespect for male football. Go and do a separate video just for woman football. Its totally different, dont compare.

[@Michaelkaydee]

This was a really good video... much needed

[@chrisproutttv]

Applause for bringing the FAWSL into this

[@doesitreallymatter4744]

WHY ? ! !? ! i hated it. MEN and FeMAN football is so different. and i dont want to know about women's football.absolutely no interest.

[@ejleoz21]

So many people need to watch this video and understand this. I hear criticisms of Tomiyasu from certain Arsenal fans saying he doesn’t attack enough as they fail to understand that isn’t his role.

[@aaroncottam]

Talking about the WSL was a nice surprise!

[@aramanon]

Did anyone spot that Silky Ilkay didn't really have a cracking goalscoring 'season' last term- actually had a great winter. He played a completely different role in the team and scored a dozen goals just while KDB was injured and returned to his Pirlo role when KDB returned. Am I really the only person who spotted this?

[@joevolcano6720]

Interesting, I didn't spot it but will look out for it. Well observed.

[@890nunu]

Love that you guys mentioned women’s football!! Would love to see you guys get into that more

[@doesitreallymatter4744]

NO NONONONONOONONO men and women football are so different. 15yo boys can beat professional women footballers, this has been demonstrated multiple times. women deserve their narrative, dont put them into one video with as if they are equals when they are not.

[@rupeoverlay3153]

Tremendous video guys. Very important

[@akilsrikanth1647]

Yes number 10 is starting to have a new meaning

[@adamakante5183]

Top content always 🔥

[@MrAmeame]

"Absolute Madlad" is actually my preferred position 😂😂🤣 Mezzala not even a close second 😤🙏🏾😂 "Outgoing Introvert" my fallback tho 👌🏾💜

[@ampersand7835]

6:03 that "Absolute madlad" tho 😂😂

[@tavongaishefaneti]

I love the WSL reference in there!

[@jude_I]

one of the best tifo videos ever

[@ahmedassaggaf5975]

Very important video thanks a lot .

[@morishow]

the random names of some of positions was hilarious

[@georgeezomo3883]

Outgoing introvert, Amidextrous polymath 😂😂. Enjoyed this.

[@Lobibolo]

I love the inclusion of examples from women's football :)

[@deancena]

Why?

[@Lobibolo]

@@deancena Because I think it's a good reminder that there isn't just men's football but also women's football, and most footie fans (myself included) know very little about the women's game, so it's nice to learn about it

[@akakestas]

Was thinking exact same thing, very refreshing to see

[@pritapp788]

There isn't much to analyse tactically in women's football because it is so basic and technically lacking. Most of the goals will come from defensive mistakes or simply players lacking height to catch the ball/clear with a header rather than well constructed moves. That's unfortunate but they have got 50 years to make up on professional football, at the very least.

[@Lobibolo]

@@pritapp788 Well in this case there were tactics to point out, so even if the women's game isn't as tactically rich (yet) I'm glad to learn more about it

[@Pyrrho66]

Lol “ambidextrous polymath”, “outgoing introvert” and “absolute madlad” are my new favorite positions on the football pitch

[@redeath4]

"absolute madlad" & "outgoing introvert"... i'm dying over here :D:D:D

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

Cant wait for the I was on the wing like "Steve" bars 😉🤣🤣🤣

[@kwazilucas]

This topic needs to be spoken about more.

[@RobGThai]

The number of times “critics” who judged the player by their “standard” stats is really astonishing for one of the biggest sports in the world. Then again it’s hard to generalize how two player compares, etc for casual audiences. I think we should just accept that they are different based on their role and not just starting position since a lot of managers are now favoring fluid systems.

[@Polo9794]

Great vid!

[@boanerges1770]

6:02 I too, would like a absolute madlad forward

[@christianvargas4468]

"The point is not to start using terms like Mezzala or Libero..." lol as a Serie A fan we use them a lot already.

[@reynaldodelrio1548]

Add the fact that regions, for example in southamerica we have different roles. It's madness. like what you refer to a CF we call media punta (not to be confused with Enganche) but our definition of CF (media punta) is more associated to a CAM then to a ST. Makes for interesting conversations lol.

[@mattkilsby947]

Absolutely LOVE that you used examples from the women’s game without breaking stride. This normalisation is exactly what we need in mainstream coverage. It doesn’t have to be “women’s football”, it’s all just football.

[@DO_sd1hg]

Agree with the sentiment but we need to use language correctly, because it’s important. I’m not sure you quite understand the definition of the term ‘normalisation’. By definition you mean ‘indoctrination’. At best this would be considered ‘education’.

[@Manivilization]

@@DO_sd1hg nice troll

[@hahawas]

Absolutely agree. Much appreciated Tifo.

[@judebachelet7822]

i think it was a good transition but its hard to understand when you dont follow the womens game

[@doesitreallymatter4744]

NO NONONONONOONONO men and women football are so different. 15yo boys can beat professional women footballers, this has been demonstrated multiple times. women deserve their narrative, dont put them into one video with as if they are equals when they are not. Because the standards are so different, both genders deploy different tactics. its like comparing oranges and apples. please dont.

[@achbahmusta8449]

The best channel in youtube period

[@zoeykeller9083]

1. Lol at the "Outgoing Introvert", "Ambidextrous Polymath" and "Absolute Madlad" 2. Great that you guys included female players. Please continue to do so.

[@tcmcity51]

Female players were just nothing but confusing really ..coz many don’t watch them therefore not knowing how they play

[@zoeykeller9083]

@@tcmcity51 Catch 22 then isnt it?

[@davidchandra8722]

6:05 absolute madlad role xD

[@guilhermeodai]

Just like the video explains how positions are not a one size fits all, monolithic thing, the same can be said of formations. They can (and likely will) change over the course of a match. When we say a team plays on a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 we're usually refering to the basic attacking structure, without the ball a team might switch to a 4-5-1.

[@Xavyer13]

Funny that Zlatan actually often plays the Absolute Madlad position XD

[@zephes742]

Outgoing introvert, ambidextrous polymath, capricorn... hilarious as always, TIFO.

[@Heelo_0]

What a video So much points people haven't paid attention to

[@AH-mp1fh]

This should be a fundamental watch before going to the pub

[@thom2323]

Miedema goated 🐐🐐

[@doesitreallymatter4744]

PLease. dont mix women into men football. Its our only respect left.

[@tosinarogundade1848]

Thought provoking view on football roles and systems

[@rmnkhr]

As a football computer gamer, i can confirm that Absolute Madlad is my preferred role for my forward player

[@jumpmanblanco3048]

I learn so much off of this channel

[@dancingdude4]

I can't with the 'steve' and the absolute madlad stuff, Jesus Christ 😂😂

[@shayakbhattacharyya2160]

Absolute madlad - my new favourite position in football

[@esteban.bernal]

You can vary in style of play all you want, but every team needs an absolute madlad.

[@MegaChabrol]

'Absolute madlad' that's a good one:)

[@MarkCaron]

Kudos for adding in three of the best forwards in the women’s game as examples.

[@paulricketts10]

I think Barney Ronay and Jonathan Liew at The Guardian really need to watch this video - especially the bit about overcomplication.

[@1999amulya]

petition to make 'absolute madlad' an official descriptive term. DO IT NOW. Show support guys plis.

[@cecilmillen2205]

"Solipsistic wide-half Trequartista" is pure brilliance

[@johnkelly3549]

Delighted to see Miedema get a shout. She’s a generational talent.

[@domcann2613]

Could you make a video on the Italian position definition? Not sure I’ve seen it on this channel

[@M..n..M]

Outgoing introvert just killed me😂😂

[@gabjavc]

Love the inclusion of WSL players! My home country the Phillipines 🇵🇭 just qualified for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in our history, and I’d love to learn about the difference in tactics and playing styles in the mens vs women’s game. This was a great introduction to what I hope could be an increased focus on this side of the sport ⚽️

[@adnanilyas6368]

Hey, good job integrating women’s soccer into the discussion! A lot of pieces focusing on general tactics ignore women’s football as if it isn’t also contributing to the overall tactical landscape.

[@D4rkThuNderplays]

In Football Manager my striker absolutely has to have the "absolut madlad" role

[@yan.weather]

No one: Tifo: DIFFERENT

[@Dreampie13]

I love having an absolute madlad on fm

[@thelonesoldier4518]

This is such a good channel fot footy fans

[@emmanuelrobinson5622]

Absolute madlad, Outgoing introvert, Ambidextrous polymath. I'd like to see them on fm23 🙃

[@yoshuareynaldo2295]

This is spot on as a Spurs fan. Kane has been criticized a lot for not scoring goals even though he's a world class striker. The truth is you could compare him to another player that has similar motor abilities like him, for example, Robert Lewandowski. The reason Kane did not score well recently was because he played more as a CF, and even drop deep into the midfield since Lo Celso and Ndombele wasn't used or in a bad form and Hojberg and Skipp is not a creative midfielder like those two. The other reason was there were no reliable threats on goal besides Son. 2016-2018 Tottenham, which was his peak had Eriksen, Alli, Son as an extra threat, with Dele's role as second striker drew the defenders and making space for Son/Eriksen to pass or cross and having Dembele meant that the midfield battle is mostly in Spurs' favor. Jose made him more important by acting more like Eriksen in the build up play. The other player, like Lewandowski, on the other hand, had elite creative midfielders and second strikers like Mueller and great inside forwards like Sane/Gnabry in a less defensive league, so his role is much of a poacher. Basically he's like Kane in 2016-2018 season, but when he came to Poland, he played more like CF, dribbling and creating chances since Poland have no elite teams, well not as elite as Bayern, more accurately. Adama Traore is probably one of the other example, he's fast and strong but trolled for no goals despite being a forward. The thing is, Traore's job is just very niche and specialized. Football is a team sport, so he's more useful in a high-posession team like Barcelona by quantity-over-quality performance than an efficient side like Wolves. There are jack-of-all-trades like Muller, De Jong, and Modric and specialists like Traore and Lewandowski, what matters is how they could contribute to the team. I think stat padding may be cool to a fan, but it would not tell us the real capabalities of the player.