The Greatest Deep Lying Forwards of All Time
Shirt number: 10 (or 8); also known as 'ponte de lanca'

This is all about the players who play just off the front man and are instrumental in both setting up and scoring goals. Before the 1960s this role largely related to two players in the team: the inside right (number 8) and the inside left (number 10). Some centre-fowards have also liked to drop-deeper to give themselves more space and involvement on the game (i.e. Schiaffino, Hidegkuti, di Stefano, Cruyff and Gullit) and fall into this category. In time more players dropped into midfield leaving only two up-front: a striker (or centre-forward) and a second striker. The second striker position is effectively the continuation of the this foward role, the player playing behind  the centre-forward or striker, or just off to one side (usually the left). In recent years these players may have no striker in front of them, instead operating as a 'false 9' or a '9 and a half'. Leaving space in front of them to make runs into or to tempt a central defender to leave his position to mark him thereby creating space for others.

This role is similar to that of the attacking midfielder but the difference is that these players play further forward and have more of a goalscoring responsibility. They are also not required to track back and help the midfield in the way many attacking midfielders are, although several of the best players in this list do drop back from a forward position to help out and contribute in other areas of the pitch (i.e. di Stefano, Cruyff, Gullit). It is imperative that the second striker forms an effective partnership (or trio) with the front striker/centre-forward. This often means that these players take the role of creator but it can also be about a centre-forward holding the ball up for them and occupying defenders to allow the second striker to move into space and score. In this case the second striker can be the principal goal-scorer in the team (for example Ferenc Puskas).  Their key attributes are ball control, dribbling, vision, short passing and finishing. As with the attacking midfielder position this is a difficult and crucial role and these players are often the most talented footballers of all. They are often worshipped by fans and their famed no.10 role can be almost mythical.

Sindelar

Scarone  Uru  1920s/30s

Sindelar Austria  1930s

Nejedly  Cze  1930s

Willimowski  Pol/Ger  1930s/40s

Meazza  Ita  1934-38

Sarosi  Hun  1934-38

Moreno  Arg  1940s

Pedernera  Arg  1940s

Labruna  Arg  1940s/50s

Boniperti  Ita  1940s/50s

---

Puskas

Gren  Swe  1948-58

Schiaffino  Uru  1950-54

Piantoni  Fra  1950s

Puskas  Hun  1950s

Allchurch  Wales  1950s

Morlock  Ger  1950s

Erich Probst  Aus  1950s

Del Sol  Spa 1950s/60s

Haller  Ger  1950s/60s

---

Pele

Kubala  Hun/Cze/Spa  1950s/60s 

Sivori  Arg/Ita  1957-62

Pele  Bra  1958-70

Tostao  Bra  1966-74

Sekulararc  Yugo  1960s

F. Albert  Hun  1960s/70s

Van Himst  Bel  1960s/70s

Milla  Cam  1970-94

Nehoda  Cze  1970s/80s

Keegan  Eng  1970s/80s

---

Cruyff

Caszely  Chile  1969-85 

Allan Simonsen  Den  1972-86

Kempes  Arg  1974-78

Cruyff  Neths  1974-78

Dalglish  Sco  1974-82

Beardsley  Eng  1980s/90s

Belanov  USSR  1985-90

Gullit  Neths  1988-94

Caniggia  Arg  1990s

Litmanen  Fin  1990s

---

Bergkamp

Cantona  Fra  1990s 

R. Baggio  Ita  1990s

Mijatovic  Yugo (Ser)  1990s

Bergkamp  Neths  1990s/00s 

Del Piero Ita  1990s/00s

Zola  Ita  1990s/00s

Raul  Spa  1990s/00s

Totti  Ita  2000s

Rooney  Eng  2000s/10s

Messi  Arg 2000s/10s

Tevez   Arg  2000s/10s

---

To explore, use the tabs on the header or click on the links below:

Alltime Legends

Best Players in Each Position

Best Ever National Teams 

Best Ever Club Teams
 
Dream Teams

Visit our Shop