Have we seen the end of the number 10? Not if Florian Wirtz has anything to do with it. bundesliga.com takes a look at how the Bayer Leverkusen maestro is giving the fabled role a new lease of life...

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At one point, the No. 10 was the most important and glamorous position in football. Not only was the central attacking midfielder the playmaker and the first offensive point of contact, but he also often decided the outcome of crucial matches. However, players such as Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Gunter Netzer and Mesut Özil are becoming increasingly rare.

As football has become more defensive, the space in front of the backline has become smaller. Therefore, the decisive attacking players have had to adapt their game, often leading to them changing positions to shine. While Özil, at his best a traditional 10 who was arguably the best of his generation, struggled to make the transition, the likes of Toni Kroos and Kevin De Bruyne came to the fore further down the pitch. Others, such as Lionel Messi and Leroy Sané - at least in his early years - conquered on the flanks rather than centrally.

Watch: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen's game changer

No.10 reloaded

Wirtz, though, is fighting against tide as a central playmaker behind the centre-forward. And currently, very few are able to navigate tight spaces quite like the 21-year-old. Unlike his direct predecessors, who chose to drop away from the room in between the lines to exert their influence, that is exactly where Wirtz wants to be. From there, he is able to control the tempo despite being afforded less time on the ball.

This season, Wirtz has been closed down 423 times - over 100 more than any other player in the league (Bayern Munich's Michael Olise is second with 314). However, he has manage to beat the press 62 percent of the time, allowing him to thread the ball into the most dangerous areas more regularly.

A typical Wirtz move involves him receiving the ball in a tight area and drawing three or four opponents towards him before playing his way out of pressure and releasing a teammate into space - whether that be in behind the defence courtesy of a killer through-ball, or a cutback to around the penalty box. Although he doesn't always pick up the goal or assist himself, his impact is undeniable.

Wirtz is able to beat the press before playing a fantastic pass to create a four-against-two situation. - DFL

About the players

10

Florian Richard

Wirtz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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Unplayable between the lines

You may ask, if Wirtz enjoys attracting opposing defenders like moths to a flame, why not send just one player into a direct duel instead? The answer is simple: given time and space, the Germany international is almost unstoppable.

When Wirtz is able to turn towards goal in between the defensive and midfield blocks, the battle is effectively already lost. No player in the Bundesliga has completed as many dribbles this season (61 percent), showing that regardless of whether confronted by a strong press, Wirtz will get himself into a promising position in front of goal more than half the time.

St. Pauli were the latest to find that out on Matchday 13. In the sixth minute, Die Werkself's talisman beat the double-pivot and took advantage of a gap between the two centre-backs to beat Eric Smith one-on-one and score the opener.

It will come as no surprise to learn that Wirtz is his side's second highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga this term, behind Patrik Schick, with seven, while his impressive five UEFA Champions League strikes take him to a Leverkusen-leading 11 efforts in all competitions.

Given room against St. Pauli, Wirtz could not be stopped. - DFL

Modern-day maestro

Of course, it is not always possible to break through the middle - even Wirtz cannot make the most of every narrow opening. However, although he is then able to make space for others, he does not enjoy a peripheral role. When Plan A doesn't work, Wirtz drifts to the wide areas, where he is also adept - as shown internationally when occasionally selected as a left winger by Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.

His link-up play, ability to beat a man and eye for a pass mean the Pulheim native is a huge weapon regardless of where he plays. Not content with just scoring goals, he's created a joint-league-leading seven as well. That also means he has contributed to a club-wide high 14 goals, while he has played a part in 76 shots at goal (44 himself, and 32 while playing the final pass) - the second-biggest total in the division.

A perfectly executed ball in behind from Wirtz allows Patrik Schick to give Leverkusen the lead against Bochum. - DFL

New talent: Wirtz's crossing ability

The scariest thing is that, at the age of just 21, Wirtz's development is far from finished. If anything, he is continuing to learn and add new elements to his game. As opponents get used to his style of play, he finds new ways to get the better of them.

Wirtz has already put in 20 crosses this term after 15 matchdays, one more than he managed during the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign. Not only does that represent a significant increase, but he has already produced impressive results, with a league-leading four of those crosses resulting directly in a goal.

Matchday 12 provided a perfect example of Wirtz's newfound skill. He started on the bench at Union Berlin, but with his team struggling to break down Die Eisernen, he was introduced into the fray in the 58th minute. It took him less than a quarter-hour to make the difference. Although six Union players were in the box compared to Leverkusen's two, Wirtz was able to find Patrik Schick, who chested home for what proved to be the winner.

On this occasion, a pinpoint cross against Union Berlin again allows Schick to find the back of the net. - DFL

All-round talent

It is perhaps better off listing what Wirtz can't do rather than what he can. His own high press allows Leverkusen to defend from the front, while he reads the game well and can intercept. Ultimately, the combination of his creativity, technical finesse and perfect timing make him an outstanding talent.

He showed just that against VfB Stuttgart, last season's runners-up, creating a fantastic opportunity out of nothing, even if there appeared to be no suggestion the situation could lead to the ball nestling in the back of the net.

Down the left flank, Wirtz created space courtesy of a one-two with Robert Andrich, sprinting between the two banks of four as a result. After receiving the balll once more, he found himself surrounded by no fewer than five Schwaben players, making it difficult to go for goal on his own.

Watch: Wirtz creates a brilliant opportunity against Stuttgart

However, thanks to his sublime football IQ, he could pre-empt Jeremie Frimpong winning his foot-race and subsequently placed the ball onto the Netherlands international's head for a free attempt at the target that the right-back was not able to convert.

That clash almost joined the list of top encounters decided by Wirtz's brilliant. And that is exactly what makes him so good - not only does he possess all the components to dominate, he is often able to put them together at the right time. A true maestro.

About the clubs

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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