Cruyff is one player that I don't think will have an issue played on the left, on the right, false 9 or centrally. He was the definition of total football. He understood the game and was probably the most cerebral player in the modern game. He floated a lot, it's not like he'll be sticking and occupying 20 sq meters of the pitch the whole game. He'll pull back, push forward, stretch the play and get into the box. It's not the position that would define whether he'll fit in the formation but the personel around him.
You need players that are on the same wavelength, technical, creative and fast that can exploit the space but also create space for Johann himself. Henry and Schiaffino are such players and I think he'll be pretty fine and looking at a peak Cruyff here.
For me that Cruyff was at best as a false 9 is a bit of a myth.
for example take the 1974 WC and in the final formation you had Cruyff as a false nine in 4-3-3 flanked by Rep and Rensenbrink, yet here are highlights of his touches during the game.
He was much involved in the build up, often taking the ball from deep, defended like a midfielder, and always looked for space. You can see also having another attacker in the box when he had the ball. It's pretty much a free role Cruyff as always, it doesn't matter if you put him left, right or center in formation. If you restrict him to occupy a winger role and restrict his inside movement is another matter, but as a part of a front three with Hanegem and Schuster in deeper positions it's really non issue and as I've said pretty much at his best.
You need players that are on the same wavelength, technical, creative and fast that can exploit the space but also create space for Johann himself. Henry and Schiaffino are such players and I think he'll be pretty fine and looking at a peak Cruyff here.
For me that Cruyff was at best as a false 9 is a bit of a myth.
for example take the 1974 WC and in the final formation you had Cruyff as a false nine in 4-3-3 flanked by Rep and Rensenbrink, yet here are highlights of his touches during the game.
He was much involved in the build up, often taking the ball from deep, defended like a midfielder, and always looked for space. You can see also having another attacker in the box when he had the ball. It's pretty much a free role Cruyff as always, it doesn't matter if you put him left, right or center in formation. If you restrict him to occupy a winger role and restrict his inside movement is another matter, but as a part of a front three with Hanegem and Schuster in deeper positions it's really non issue and as I've said pretty much at his best.
