How Eden Hazard and Christian Eriksen have revolutionised the No10 role

Most big teams in the Premier League have changed from playing 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3.


The role of the playmaker off the lone striker has gone, but that space in between the midfield and defence is as important as ever.

Today, attacking midfielders all end up in that area but arrive there from completely different places.

In a 4-2-3-1 the No 10 is often marked and waiting, but in a 4-3-3 they receive the ball facing goal, on the front foot.

In Chelsea’s case, Alvaro Morata leads the line and stretches the game, dragging the defence with him.

With the opposition midfield pushing high to stop Jorginho, a huge void is created in between for Hazard to drift into from the left and cause havoc.

And when Olivier Giroud plays, the opposite is true.


The space opens up in behind for Hazard and Willian to burst into as the Frenchman drops deep and takes up the role of the No 10.

Spurs tend to play 4-2-3-1 but they still have players arriving into that No 10 space rather than just sitting there.

Eriksen has played as one of the two sitting midfielders, with Dele Alli playing off Harry Kane.

But with Kane and Lucas Moura offering a threat in behind, and Alli drifting left taking defenders with him, the space is vacated for the Dane to get into and dictate.

It is not just Spurs and Chelsea highlighting this tactical change though — all the top teams are doing something different to get their difference makers into that area.

David Silva now starts on the left of a midfield three for Manchester City, whereas he used to start more central.

But in a 4-3-3 he drifts into that area as Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling pin the defence back high and wide.

Liverpool have played 4-2-3-1 recently but when they play 4-3-3 Roberto Firmino drops into the No 10 position, with the pace of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in behind.

At Manchester United it is more often than not Paul Pogba who gets into that role.

Starting on the left in midfield, like Silva, Pogba is given license to burst forward with two sitters alongside him.

And as we have seen at times recently, Pogba flourishes with Anthony Martial keeping his width on the left, allowing the World Cup winner to push up on his inside.

But it’s not just the big teams doing it.

Ryan Fraser ­— with the most assists in the league with six — is another great example.

Starting wide of Callum Wilson, the Scot has been devastating coming in from the left into room created around him by his team-mates, like Hazard.

Whereas previously the No 10 would sit behind the striker, teams have become much more dynamic and creative.

The big playmakers in the league are all having an impact in the same area.

But what has become obvious is how teams are using different ways for them to get there despite playing similar system.

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